Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-06-24

argue in favor Of the German edu-
cation, and let the other criticism
/ pass. But though he could so
laugh it off at times, the. Strain
was slowly telling upon him, and at
his solitary tireside he would make
q resolution--bravely o oueh hc
could make il tlere--not 10 so to
the c3ool-house save on rare and
necessGry occasions and when
the hope of which he was scarcely
conscious was mastering him. ho
would travel to Ferrybank, and
again pleade with his mother, in
the low, dark cottage which grew to
seem more and more gloomy TO
him on each visit. Still no plead
ing, even of his, availed.
"But, mother, if you viii not
come with me-" supplicated Owen,
''let me find you another home !;
you shall choose where it shall be
in this very spot if you like; only
let it be free from gloom and dis
comfort"
But the mother pleaded in her
turn to be left where she was hap
piest; and silenced once more,
Owen sought to beantify the
place little by his generous gifts.
But no; these made no difference
in the poor dwelling; All tho
money that he sent his mother was
put sacredly away. "When / am
gone, Duddgha," she said to her
daughter, "you will find it all un-
touched, and you may want it then"
1t was Christmas Eve, and Owen
was to dine at the school-house.
He had entered the long warm
room Just as Alice, with her hands
full of flowers, came in from the
greenhouse. While thew fingered
together arranging he fl " ers, 5,
wooed him on TO talk Of what she
felt he loved, and knowing that
home would be near his heart this
Christmas time, asked Lin Of his
mother and sister.
81 never like to mention yoar
sisters name ; Mr.. Vaughan" she
said, 'because l do not know how
to pronounce it. | have seen it in
book of yours, bat never heard
you say it,"
The color mounted slowly to
Ovens brow, for something in
Alice's gentle words sounded like
q rebuke.
eve pronounce it Duthga," he
said, sit is an odd name, is it not I
But it looks worse than it sounds"
81 like the sound Of IT," Alice
answered. 81 think I should know
your sister IL l met her, NIr. Vaug-
han, though / Go not fancy her like
you; 10 girl could have your kind
OF face. Is she as tall as--I amg"
"No," answered Owen, smiling a
little as he pictured the two girls
one in her plain calico gown, sing
ing to herself as she stood ironing
in the cottage kitchen, and tho
other as she stood beside him now
in her soft velvet dress, with the
delicate fern and crimson rosebud
in its bosom.
as she fond of flowers as am ~
asked Alice, guessing nothing of
these thouhgt.
81 cannot tell" said Owen, watch
ing the white fingers as they touch
ed caressingly the brilliant petals,
"for she had not such flowers as
these within her reach"
"There are some beautiful ferns
to be found at Tenby," said Alice,
in quick fear lest she had hurt him.
papa and I have found some
choice ones near there. Does sho
know, wonder; becauso-becauso
your home is not far from Tenby,
you once told me-"
The girls voice grew uncon-
sciously a little wistful as she spoke
remembering how seldom he had
told her anything OF his home, or
of those whom she felt he loved so
dearly; but ipst then her father
called Owen into his study and she
was left to wonder. She had a
misty impression, though she could
not tell how gathered, that his
mother did not like society, and
that her daughter could not leave
her but she knew that Owen had
never definitely told her even this.
But Alice had forgotten this pas
sing cloud before the long and
cheerful dinner was over. The
had left the room, when
Owen, sitting near TO Alice, and
listening happily to her bright
voice, felt n sudden chill creep in
upon the scene. The words of
one of the doctors guests struck
upon his quick, keen ear.
"Much as want q tutor in my
before-school next term, / could
not engage Leslie because he can
not have been brought up a gentle
tleman. His father, ] hear, was
village tradsman. But what looks
particularly bad is that he does not
tell me the fact himself In many
wavs hc would undoubtedly suit
the Post. he is gentlemanly look
ing, and he speaks well, besides
having testimonials Of the highest
class. Still, there is that insurera-
bic objection
''Insupcrable," muttered tho doc
tor, asserting. al would not en-
tertain the idea. What do you