Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-05-02
Why He Married Her.

five, when a distant relative died
and left her comfortable fortune.
Had the riches come a score of
years sooner there is no telling what
might have been. Judith had never
been a beauty, but now her face
was wrinkled, her form more angu-
lar than ever, and it was whispered
that she had disagreeable temper.
And so the fortune hunters passed
her by, saved from the sin of covet-
ousnesss, by the reflection that she
and her money were inseparable.
Even Seth Greene, the greatest
problem of whose life was to keep
adjusted the balance between a
small income and very expensive
tastes, after few visits to Judith,
which left him in little doubt that
he had but to say the word to re-
ceive a gracious answer, left the
word unspoken. Mr.. Greene's visits
had ceased for some weeks when a
message was brought to him that
Miss Copper was very i'll, and had
been given up by DIR. Wilkins.
She desired to see Mr.. Greene, and
such other friends as might wish to
bid her farewell before death came
to her relief.
Of course, there was no refusing
such request. Clad in black, and
with face to match, Seth Greene
presented himself at the invalid s
door.
"How is she, doctor?" he inquired
of a sad-faced man who met him on
the threshold.
Sinking rapidly" DR.. Wilkins
replied.
rs there no chance for her?"
"Not the slightest. Constitution
all gone-lungs collapsed-heart
weakened-no-"
"How long do you think she'll
last?" interrupted Seth anxiously.
mot more than twenty-four
hours. Would you like to see
herp"
II called for that purpose.
~ will apprise her of your pres
ence, then. In her present condi-
tion any sudden surprise might
prove fatal"
After brief absence the doctor
returned.
"This way, please" he said, lead
ing the visitor to the invalid s
room.
Mr.. Greene was shocked at the
change in Miss Copper. His heart
! was hard, but it was touched at
sight of that pale face.
This is-very kind-of you, Mr.,
Greene" murmured the sick lady.
Mr.. Greene took the chair placed
for him at the bedside, and clasping
in his own the thin hand extended
to welcome him returned it's pres
sure. The doctor and the nurse re-
tired to prepare dose for the pa
tient, leaving the latter and Mr..
Greene alone.
III trust you will be better soon"
said the gentleman with well-meant
hypocrisy.
II suppose that is past hoping
for" was the scarcely audible an
swer. "Dr. Wilkins has told me
the worst"
We may say here that DR.. Will
kins always told his patients the
worst. If they recovered the more
credit to him. If they died, why,
it was expected.
A sudden thought came to Mr.
Greene. If he could only marry
Miss Copper now. She was alone
in the world and she could not live
long. Hero was an opportunity
indeed.
Rubbing his eyes with his hand
kerchief, he pressed her hand again
and said softly:
"Dear Judith, how cruel that we
should be parted thus"
"Cruel indeed" she answered.
81 have long cherished the pur.
pose," he went OH hurriedly, con
quering his emotion with an effort
"of asking you 10 be mine. Dlnl'
dence alone prevented me. But il
you will even now consent"
"Would it-be a comfort-tc
you, Seth?"
ut would" he cried earnestly
ITO call you mine for an hour
though l lost you the next, would
link my soul to precious memory
which would sustain me through
all the vicissitudes Of life"
ut shall be-as you--wish,
sighed Miss Copper.
mo time is to be lost" cried Mr.
Greene, starting to his feet. 81
will make the necessary arrange
ments at once" And an hour later