Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1872-06-18

die than marry mere country girl"
"But, Fred, suppose her intelligent,
full Of natural poetry, tender hearted,
graceful, unspoilsd by admiration, a
guileless, simple, loving creature ?"
sol, ssaid Fred, laughing, "choice
selection Of virtues and Grace
Country beauties are always sweet,
and so are country cows. No, l tell
you if she was as lovely as an angle,
with the best sense in the world, still
if unskilled in literature and music,
with no soul above churns and knitting
needles, I would not marry her for
fortune" 4....
"Ha, hap laughed Helen Irving.
Hidden by the trunk Of tree, she sat
reading, within few feet of the egot-
list.
In another moment the young lady
came in sight. Fred's face crimsoned,
and he whispered in visible trepidation,
"Do you think she heard rue ?"
"No,," rejoined the other audibly
-"she shows no resentment; she has
not even looked from her book. You
are safe"
Leaning on one white arm, tho old
oak tree in the background, flowers
strewed around her, she sat quite 4
ease, apparently unconscious that two
handsome young gentlemen were near
her.
Approaching with a low bow, upon
which his mirror had set the faultless
elegance, Frederick Lane took the lib
erty of asking if the young lady
would inform him where Mr.. irving
lived. ....
With an innocent smile the lady
looked up.
''Mr. Irving, the only one living in
the village, is my father" said she,
rising in a graceful and charming
manner. "The large house on high
ground, half hidden by trees and
thick shrubtery; there is where we
live"
Fred replied with graceful bow.
"Tell your father" said he, "that l
shall do myself the honor to call on
him tomorrow. He will remember
me-Frederic Lane, at your service
"Yes sir, 1 will tell him." said
Helen, tucking her sleeves around her
pretty arms, and making rather q
formal curtesy. Then catching up her
books and gathering the scattering
flowers, she hurried home. II =
"Now father, mother, aunt, and sis,
exclaimed the merry girl, bounding
into the room where the family wer'
at supper, $50 sure as you and [ live
that Mr.. Lane you talk so much about
is in the village. He will come here
to-morrow-the first specimen of {
city beau, las, of course, he viii be) al
sentiment, refinement, faultless in kit
and dickey, important and self-assurec
as one of the kind can possibly be
Promise me, all of you, that you viii
not lisp one word about music, read
ing and writing, in his presence, be
cause 1 have plan. Father will nc
l know; and if you, sis, will be quie
and ask no questions, will give 20
thatywork box you have coveted &
long"
"Why, on that condition I'll be 9
still as a mouse, but what's the reason
ooh that's my own business" sal
Helen, dancing out Of the room.
81. Helen sat at the open window
through which roses thrust the
blushing buds, making both swe'
shade and a fragrance. The canar
overhead burst forth every momel
in wild snatches of glorious musi
Helen was at work on long blue stocl
ings, nearly finished, and her 6nge
few like snow birds.
"You knit most admirably. A
you fond of it ?" .
eyes, quite; I like it better TIL
anything else--that is, mean / c.
churn well"
"And do you read much ?" Free
glance had travelled from the corn
of his eyes to every table, shelf a
corner, in search of books and pap'
but not a page, yellow or red, reps
his search.
ooh, yes said Helen, with a sa
tilted air. % .L4c'S
"What books permit me to ask
II read the Bible good DEAL"
said gravely. -al. Is
els that all st,air.
"Alll of course not--yct what
you find in the bible +? History, p
ry, eloquence, romance-the n
thrilling pathos"-blushing and re
lecting herself, she added ina mar