Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-08-09
few weeks you will have forgotten
that you had ever known me-"

not much to ask of you to 60
through the simple form of mar
riage; and as we part afterwards,
it cannot make any difference to
your life, unless" here, for the
first time, wave of color passed
over her cheeks, unless your troth
is already plighted to-some one you
lover
"Oh, nor Frank hastily replied,
and blushed almost as deeply as his
companion.
She heaved a little sigh of relief,
and held out her hand with a
charming smile.
"You may expect me Thursday
at this hour" she said. "Good-by
until then"
Mechanically he elapsed the slen-
der fingers, and in an another
moment she had gone from the
Office, leaving him in "a state of be-
wildered doubt not easy to be de-
scribed.
The girls startling proposal
haunted him in spite of all his eff
forts to dismiss it from his mind.
Ten thousand pounds was no
small sum to be rejected. He was
young, poor and ambitious. Gold
was the magic wand which would
beat down the barrier that now
stood between him and success.
Gold would buy him influence and
friends, and open the way to the
realization Of his dearest hopes.
Why should he not accept the
tempting offer? He was heart
whole and not averse to settling
down into contented bachelorship,
and as long as she did not mind en-
tering into the strange compact,
why should he?
These and singular thoughts
agitated him for the next two days,
and when, on Thursday the beau
tiful stranger again stood before
him, he had firmly decided what to
do.
"Well?," she exclaimed, looking
at him eagerly.
81 accept your Offer" he answer
ed, with an intense gravity in his
voice land | hope we shall neither
of us regret it. Now, may ask
you one or two questions?"
Certainly"
"Do you mind telling me your
name?"
"Nita-Nita Sinclair" she re-
sponded, smilingly.
"And may | know why you want
me to marry youp"
She looked embarrassed for an
instant, then said, slowly:
81 cannot tell you at present.
After you have rendered me the
service shall ask, I will give you
a complete explanation. Until
then will you not trust me?"
Her large soft eyes were gazing
steadfastly into his, and sweet,
half-tremulous smile parted her red
lips.
For a second Frank, who, in
spite of certain amount of rough
knocking about the world, was suf-
ficiently romantic and Impressions
BILE, completely lost his head, and
Selling her hand he carried it to his
lips, as he fervently exclaimed:
81 will trust you; yes. Only tell
me what can do to serve you, and
your orders shall be blindly and inn
plicitly obeyed."
Two weeks later, as Frank Ire
mayne sat in his office, indulging in
happy day dreams for the future,
Dick suddenly entered and laid a
small blue-tinted note before him.
Frank opened it hurriedly, recognize
ing the delicate handwriting. When
he had mastered the contents, he
pondered for moment, thought
full look on his brow.
Tomorrow | am to be at st.
James church, she says, and act as
heart and honor prompt me. Well,
it's queer command altogether, and
singular place of rendezvous, but
as have promised to obey, | must
keep my word. | shall be glad
when the business is over, and the
ten thousand mine; and yet"
He broke off with sigh, as be-
fore him rose the vision of a lovely,
dusky face, and two tender, dark
eyes. Then forced laugh escaped
him, and he brushed his hand across
his brow.
bah! | believe am growing
sentimental" he said CONTEMPORARY.
The next morning, at the hour
indicated, Frank entered the church
Mia had mentioned. An unusual
stir about n. and the larOe number