Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1872-03-19
vas making his way along the opposite


cleaning with all the splendor of heav
ems own blue, and suspended over it
dainty pair of white gloves trimmed
with lace cuffs and knots of blue rib
bon. Maggie's heart began to palpi
tate so joyously, she could hardly get
her breath.
"What is the price of that silk, and
the trimmed gloves" she asked, timid
ly, stepping into the store.
twenty-five dollas, Miss, and CHEAP
as dirt" replied the clerk.
Twenty-Five dollars just the amount
Of her money.
"I think I will take" she began
but an eager hand plucked her sleeve
and turning, she met wan face look.
ing pleadingly out from the remains Of
the tattered hood.
"Pleaes, Miss I never begged before
but help my poor mother they'er turn
in her ont in the street, and fathers
dyin', doctor says"
The slender, plaintive voice went to
her heart like knife.
"What can | do how can l help
you :" she asked.
ooh, Miss it's twenty-five dollars
we owe-rent, you know-and poor
mother can't pay it. Please help
her y
Maggie closed her fingers over the
gold in her hand, and looked towards
the blue sill, with swelling heart
Seeing hesitation, tho clerk came
round and took the child by the
shoulder,
"Go out" he said roughly, "and
don't let me catch you in here again
Don't mind her Miss he added, clos
ing the door, otis all lies they tell
Shall wrap the silk up ?"
Poor Maggie for an instant sci
was predominant. She must have tho
bldc silk, she must 60 to the Christma'
ball and dance with Zack, but in lit
tie while something nobler got the su
premacy-something that made hel
young eyes outshine the silk that tho
willy clerk so temptingly displayed.
"No." she replied resolutely, "not
now. I must look after the poor chile
first.
Half an hour later woman wept
tears of gratitude and joy ovel
her sick husband, in the chOerless gar
ret she called ber home, and Maggi,
went back to the old farm house will
a step slow and sober enough.
"Well, pet" said her old father
fondly, 81 s'posc you've got tie blue
silk at last ?"
"No, papa, mo- faltered Maggie
with n gush of tears that she tried il
vain to rcpress, II d dn't get it. II
gave the money TO poor girl"
It was Christmas day. The snow
lay white and crisp on the chain Of
hills that shut in the New England
farm house and the sun just dropping
out of sight, tinged their SUBMITS
with a soft glow, and gave the wintry
sky beyond rosy warmth, SO sugges-
tive of summer twilight.
But Maggie was not indulging in
any such reveries as she stood on the
front stoop, her pretty curls pushed
back, and her blue eyes brim-full of
tears, as sleighs flew by, with their
merry peals of bells bearing freigh,
of happy girls to the gay party.
"Oh l did want to go so bad" she
murmured, "but I cant wear my ia
dcd merino. All tire girls will be
there, dressed so nice and so happy
Oh, dear" and a little sob choked
her, and the tears brimed over and
stained her pretty checks, just as an
other sleigh dashed up, and Zack
jumped out and ran up the stoop.
"Why, Maggie" he called out, "noi
dressed yet? / thought you'd be al
ready. Come hurry, it is getting latc?'
"I-I'm not going" she faltered.
The young man turned round il
surprise.
"Not going Maggie? Why, yor
said you were on Sunday
"I know; but I've changed mJ
mind. 1 can't CO."
"Pshaw this is nonsense. Go anC
get ready Maggie; it's no use to fool.
His tone irritatcd her, and she re
piled sharply:
"rm not fooling, Zack. I'm no
going, and you needn't wait"
GAIL right won't. Some on
else will go, I guess" and he spranI
into his sleigh and drove off.
Poor Maggie This was the cruel
est blow Of all. She could not brav
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