Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1873-03-04
ALPENA, MICHIGAN TUESDAY Y, MARCH 4. 1873.

was a lady in every word and look,
while yet a free-hearted child in
many respects.
She looked upon the middle
aged bachelor brother of her host
ess with respectful liking, which
developed into cordial good feeling
in few days. He was so kind,
she thought gratefully; would car
ry her drawing book for her to all
the incest places for sketching;
drove her out day after day, and
even INDUCED her in what Mrs.
Watson declared perfectly insane
desi. g, namely, canter upon his
own favoiite horse Thunderer.-
Then in his trips to town he always
remembered package of candies
for the children, and separate
dainty box for the biggest child of
all, as Mrs. Watson would call her,
as she enjoyed her share of sweets.
Cunning Mrs. Watson! Not a
word or hint now dropped from her
lips to her brother upon the often
discussed subject of matrimony.-
Somewhat ostentatiously she would
beg him not to allow Laura to take
him from his paper or cigar. She
drew his attention to the fact that
Laura actually wrapped a scarlet
shawl around her when she wore a
shimmering green tissue that suited
her creamy complexion to perfec-
ton. She shuddered herself at the
thick soles of Laura's walking boots,
and commented upon the fact that
crying made Laura's eyes green.
And John would sometimes ad-
nit, sometimes combat these facts,
} and still devote the long leisure
hours of country life to Laura.
The promised month was nearly
over, and Fanny pleaded for few
weeks more of her brothers socie-
ty.
"Don't leave me now, John, when
/. | am going to make the house
pleasant
at is pleasant enough, Fam"
"You are dear good fellow to
say so, but l know how you must
hive been bored, John. Dancing
, tendance upon schoolgirl must
have been simply horrible for man
of your fastidious refinement"
"Not at all. Besides, Miss Muir
ray has left school"
'But she is so young yet. / am
sure her uniformed mind can never
offer companionship for yours"
"There is great deal of unde-
veloped power there, Fan. She
brings q fresh, vivacious intelli-
gence to bear upon almost every
subject. A few years of foreign
travel would do wonders for her."
81 think you are very kind to
speak of her in that way, John.
Poor little thing she is very plain"
"Plain, Fan! plain You never
saw more exquisite complexion,
and her eyes are most expressive
and brilliant"
"But green, in tears, John. And
such boots !"
"Good gracious, Fan! you would
not have the child tramping about
the country lanes and roads in pa
per-rolled slippers, would you !
She shows her sense in wearing
good strong shoes"
"Of course. l approve of sense,
and Laura has, as you say, consiC-
erablc. / think, if she wished to
cultivate her talent, she would soon
write very well. Some of her let
ters home are really literary gems,
they are so original and vivascious.
But hope the poor child will new
er be literary"
"Why not! Why should not a
woman develop any power or talent
she possesses p
"But, John, how if her husband
wants his dinner while Amelia and
Paul are in agonies of separation
upon paper p
"Lct her husband wait! He
must be a nice fellow if he lets his
own coarse appetite interfere with
the outpourings of genius. But ]
cannot talk any longer now, Fan. j
promised Laura a drive. Will she
stay any longer Fanny y
30 yes; all next month"
"Well, don't engage my room for
anybody for week or two, Fan.
am not quite ready to start upon
my travels yet" and John went
ont