Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-01-20

the performers had come to re-
hearse the evening entertainment.
Gay groups Of people were laugh
ing and chatteiing in the great
drawing room, while the hammer
ing Of the workmen, who were busy
with the stage and curtain, formed
a deafening accompaniment.
Bright colored costumes and books
of engravings Uttered in the room.
The scene was altogether inde-
scribable.
81 wished so ardently to appear
as a Moorish princess" said a tall,
red-haired young lady who was dis
contentedly leaning against pile
Of velvet cushions. "Queen Eliza
beth isn't in my line. I don't like
the character, and then Sir Walter
Releigh has such small head that
his great ruff quite hides it. When
he kneels to place his cloak before
me, declare he looks as If he had
just been beheaded. It's too ridic-
ulous !"
Perhaps" suggested Mrs. Mold,
with the amiable intention of pour
ing oil on the troubled waters,
perhaps Mary of Scotland might
suit you"
"Mary Stuart had Auburn hair,
they say"
"But not crimson" said the voice
of one who was to represent an evil
spirit in the last tableau.
"What y exclaimed the red-hair-
ed maiden, turning wrathfully.
81 was alluding to the velvet, my
DEAR" rejoined the evil spirit, inno-
Gently.
Upon this the insulted young
lady assumed the character of
Niobe, and the evil spirit fastened
to console her.
"What shall I do 7" asked a
plump, smiling damsel. "How can
/ wear my pearl colored silk in the
Kathleen Mavoureen' scene. Irish
peasant girls don't usually wear
silk dresses, Go they Z"
"You can wear it at the dance
after the tableau," said Mrs. Mold,
cutting the Gordian knot, as she
thought.
"But that's not all. I'm dread
fully afraid of the cottage. It's
only pasteboard, you know, and if
it were to fall, and bury me in the
ruins, how awkward it would be !"
"I'll see that it's safe. I'm in the
same scene," said Ormsby, who,
having seen Estelle pass the win
dow, was on his way out.
"Wouldnt he make fine Lord
Dundreary9 :" commented the evil
spirit, maliciously.
"No, indeed-you mean that po-
lite man-what's his namel Oh
yes Lord Chestnutfield," said
Kathleen Mavourneen.
"Lord Chesterfield, You mean,"
corrected her discontented Majesty
of England.
Osmund Ormsby went out on the
terrace in search Of Estelle. She
was there, watering the thick bor-
der of roses which grew along its
edge.
Osmund's attire was resplendant
to-day. In fact, his "get up" was
perfect. His valet had spent the
morning in celebrating him. Even
the costly cuff-buttons bearing the
Ormsby crest (for which he hoped
to pay out of Estelle's fortune)
glittered with unusual brilliancy.
He advanced towards Estelle with
an air Of assurance-somewhat in
the came, saw and conquered style.
"Ah," he drawled, breaking of a
rose, to show his delicately gloved
hand, "there squabbling inside
Queen Elizabeth wants to abdicate
and assume the style and title of
the Queen of Scots"
at can't be done," said Estelle,
decidedly. There's no time for
changes besides, the scene is from
Schiller, and both queens are in it
But I'll go in and settle the matter"
"No, not yet. Please stay. I've
something to tell YOU"
"Another time will do, Mr.. Orms-
by"
"No, no; only q moment please
wemain."
IA declaration" she thought,
stopping reluctantly. IL may as
well marry him as anybody else"
So, with anything but pleased
expression on her face, she prepar-