The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-01-02
ONLY A FRIEND.

There was gloom In the Office OF
Casey u Co. The bookkeeper-a
monarch In his way-had ceased to
smile
For two long months II had been
thus and ths o.fice-boy and caligraph-
girl were on the qui vive OF ana ious
anticipation for the result
That something was coming Trey
did not doubt for. OF all the changes
possible in man, that OF John Lawson
from merry jocular fellow. never
unkind and always consideratc. to a
cold, harsh and scowling vlsaged man.
was about the greatest they had ever
known.
Twas ever since the middle OF Jul y
that this change had been; they re.
membered 1t well for one evening.
after kindly bidding them good night
he remarked that he would not be In
the next day; but wheL he did return.
two days later, they found him us he
had been ever since. as told above.
Often, during the hot summer after
noonsI would they hear him sigh and
sometimes when work was slack and
the bills had been made out. he would
stand for an hour at a time gazing
blankly from window or at some
thing in the room. ms II. us the office
boy expressed it he was thinking Of
something away Off"
well. John, what do you sayp
will you go? I'm sure 1t will be grand;
picnics always are. and. besides as
we have invited those young ladies'
you surely ought to 60"
Who are these Travers. motherp
never heard Of 'em. Say. they're not
those giggling creatures that called
with Mary the other dayp"
1T is very evident John, that you
have never met them or you would
not talk that way. for saying nothing
of the family which is, by the way,
one OF the most honored OF old Vir-
ginia stock, they are themselves. in
manners and looks, simply inexpressi-
ble."
Really my mother, you make me
curious. although l don't suppose
there's any difference for all girls are
the same. every mothers daughter OF
'em."
mo, no John, Tn sure you will
like the Misses Travers. and especially
Belle. who is by the way, the belle Of
Plumbank; her sister, Genevieve. 10
engaged. I've heard. SO when you go
be sure and pay Belle the most atten-
ton. as she will expect it; whereas. it
would be wasted upon Genevieve. who.
being all wrapped up in some other
man. could not of course expect much
attention from another"
Now, John Lawson was one OF those
contrary sort OF fellows. and especially
when any one dictated to him how he
should conduct himself.
However being young man Of
good, common sense. he always needed
advice or suggestions made by others
and rarely came to grief through his
contrariness.
Though 1t was said by those who
knew him that he was man OF excep-
tionally strong will and hardhearted-
ness yet he knew that it was not true.
and to himself he acknowledged that
he was as weak as silly and as soft as
the rest OF them.
Therefore John Lawson being &C
quainted with himself always judged
and acted as John Lawson thought
best He had one great fear--of fall
ing In love. Twas not that he wasn't
agreeable. but he wished to get rich
first, and consequently always avoided
unengaged and pretty girls as much as
possible. Therefore. Is 1t u wonder.
that under the circumstances. know
ing it would be impossible to avoid
going, that he should conclude to pay
all his attention to Miss Genevievep
she who was engaged-thereby max
ing II impossible for him TO even more
than like herp
Alas for his we'll laid plans. why mad
he not one little doubtp He should
ascertain to certainty that it was
Genevieve; alack. the perversity Of
fate. hA
1t was a lovely day. that day In
July; everything was beautiful
The dark woods were literally car
peted with thousands of ferns and wild
flowers while In walking through one
would occasionally come upon some
bubbling spring. To John Lawson
this was red letter day, for walking
at the side OF beautiful Genevieve
Travers and breathing his annual
draught OF pure air and ozone. he. for
getting at the time. that she was en-
gagged forgot himself, and paid too
much attention.
He endeavored to amuse her and
believed he had succeeded but he
went too far. and when they parted
that day, he tried. but In vain. to for
get her.
There is brightness In the office Of
Casey & Co.
John Lawson has just discovered
that It is not Geneveive but her sister.
Belle Travers who Is engaged. and not
only that but having asked her
through the mail II he might call
has just received certainly. Mr.
Lawson. ~
The Office boy is reading the daily
paper while the caligraph girl is
crimping her hair. for although they
we're at loss TO understand this sud-
DEN change of Lawson 70 his original
Dslf. they are determined upon one