Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-07-11


meandered toward the breakfast
room, where plain repast was
waiting.
"Ah! was a wild girl in those
days. So, as soon as luncheon was
finished, nothing would suit me but
a romp in the fields. To this AL
vina readily consented, so, with
nothing on our heads but our peck
et-handkerchiefs, we sauntered out
and amused ourselves with pluck
ing the wild flowers that grew
along the hedges, and forming them
into bouquet.
ave were cheerful and happy as
birds. Nature was in her most
lovely mood, and the whole scene
filled one with contentment. At
the end of a lane leading directly
from the house was a stile, which,
so to speak, shut in the Van Deu-
sen property from the open country
beyond. Both Alvina and myself
were in high spirits, and as we near
ed the stile were singing at the top
of our voices one of the popular
ballads of the day.
"In the exuberance of my spirits,
| darted away from Alvina, and
laughingly babe her catch me if she
could. She accepted the challenge
and followed rapidly in pursuit.
Arriving at the stile, | sprang light
ly over it, almost alighting on the
body of strong, burly, villainous-
looking man, who rose hastily to
his feet, and with savage scowl
walked hastily away. $1,000
This made my heart beat violent
| ly, and there was an ill-defned some
thing that frightened me, so much
so, that when Alvina laughingly
threw her arms around my waist,
saying she had me, | made the ex-
cuse that | was not well, and beg
ged to return to the house immedi-
ately.
"Any within of mine was sure to
be speedily gratified, so without a
word Alvina turned around, and we
retraced our steps slowly toward the
house, but not with that buoyancy
of spirit with which we had left it.
"The rest of the day was spent
within doors. Alvina showed me
her newest dresses, tried them on
for me, and in short, we enjoyed
ourselves hugely. After a time we
became wearied of this, so we roam
ed around the house, examining
various articles of interest. When
we were in the library, Alvina low.
cred her voice, and pointing tc
Hume and Smollett's History OF
England, that in several volumes
lined one of the shelves, told me
that i'm those hooks there were nine
thousand dollars concealed.
81 gave a start of surprise.
at had been paid to her father
the very day he went away, not hav'
ing time to carry it down town tt
the bank, he hid it away in the
books, thinking it would be perfect
ly safe till his return.
"Just as she was telling me this
a knock came at the door; one Of
the servants entered, and requested
permission for herself, and the res
Of the domestics to visit Stuyves
ants farm on the east side of the
island, in order to be present at the
marriage of her sister.
"Alvina hesitated. Seeing shade
of disappointment cross the girls
face, | quickly said we could spare
them, and i'm their absence, we could
have a cozy evening all to ourselves
Reluctantly the consent was given
and the girl departed with many a
courtesy and thank you.
"We partook of an early tea, and
to while away the evening, sat down
to game of backgammon. AS we
did so, we heard the sound of car
riage wheels rapidly approaching;
listening attentively, we soon heard
it enter the avenue leading to the
house, and in few seconds, STOP
before the door.
"This, it must be confessed, some
what alarmed us, but summonine
up courage, we clasped hands, and
went together to answer the knock
at the door. 1t was only the coach
man Of the Duenburys, who lived
on the Boston road, with the mes
sage that Miss Dusenbury had been
thrown from her horse, and severely
injured, and requesting Alvina's
presence at her bedside.
ITO refuse was out of the ques.
ton, so with many apologies and
kisses, she started, leaving me in
the old house alone. It was very
dull and lonely. ] tried to read
| but could not. so i'm sheer WEAKNESS