Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-08-09
A SINGULAR MARRIAGE.
A lady to see Won. sir. '


ing the end of his cigar into the
fire, turned his chair round and as
sumed more decorous position be-
fore the table.
"Show her in, Dick" he said,
laconlcally, and as the lad went to
obey him, he seized pen and be-
gan scribbling busily upon the
margin of a very legal-looking
document.
~ hope it's case," he muttered.
But it will be just my luck if it
isn't"
The door swung open once more,
and "a lady, dressed sombrely, and
wearing a thick veil over her face,
crossed the threshold.
Frank rose, bowed politely, and
placed chair for her near the fire;
then waited.
She sat down, and for a few mo-
ments deep silence reigned.
Frank felt, rather than knew,
that two piercing eyes were regard
ing him fixedly from behind that
screening veil, and cool and uncon-
cerned as he usually was, the calm
scrutiny set his pulse beating fast
er, and caused him to fidget UNI
easily. At last, with a prelimina-
ry cough, he was about to open the
conversation by some trivial re-
mark, when, as though divining
his intention, the stranger forestall-
ed him.
"Mr. Frank Tremayne, | be-
lieve?" she began in a singularly
sweet voice.
He bowed his head affirmatively,
then after an instant's hesitation
said:
you wish to consult upon some
business matter, | suppose, mad
amp"
YES she murmured, and with
a rapid gesture flung back her veil,
disclosing delicate, olive-tinted
face, small, scarlet mouth, and a
pair of very dark, lustrous eyes that
were little melancholy in their
expression.
Frank started, and thrill of ex-
element stirred his heart. Glad
as he was to see possible client
sitting in his office, it added to the
interest that she was young, and
beautiful; and while he remained
silent, lost in wondering admira-
ton, she rose to her feet, moved
few steps nearer to him, and gazed
at him long, and earnestly.
Mr.. Tremayne," she said, at
length, and her voice sounded a
little tremulous. IL have come to
make singular proposal-one that
will no doubt surprise you," she
paused second, then, without the
suspicion Of a blush, or look of
self-consciousness, she added:
"Will-will you marry me?"
Had a bomb shell exploded at
Franks feet, he could not have
looked more amazed. He pushed
back his chair, and not knowing
whether to feel indignant or amused
at what he considered an extraor-
binary joke, he stood speeches.,
regarding his strange visitor with
curious blending of wrath, and
modification in his blue eyes.
Madam" he began, presently,
but with gesture half appealing,
half imperious, she stopped him.
"Hear me first, please" she re-
marked, and Frank was astonished
at the GOODNESS of her tones. mo
doubt you think me crazy; but ]
can assure you ! am in full posses
sion of my senses, and in my life
was never more in earnest. | ask
you to marry me, and it will be to
your advantage to accept the pro-
posal. You are poor, and at the
beginning of your career; you
want money and influence to en-
sure success. Marry me, and one
week from the day on which take
your name, you will find yourself a
free man, with ten thousand
pounds at your control"
Ten thousand pounds
For one moment Frank felt dir
zy, and the hot blood rushed in
torrent to his head; then he put
the temptation from him.
DO not speak yet" the sweet,
calm voice continued: 81 want you
to understand thoroughly my in
tentions. The marriage that |
propose will in no way bind us to-
gether; you will be free to go your
way, and ] mine. There is only
one service which ! shall demand
of you-only once, after the cere-
mony, shall we meet again, and !