Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-10-18

little earlier from London; so that
it need only make a difference of a
few days"
l felt an unaccountable reluc-
tance to take her, farther than the
door; though she was evidently a
lady-both her manner and dress
proved that.
81 will tell you another reason"
she said, after few moments pause.
81 am expecting baby, my first,
in the beginning Of January, and /
am anxious that my darling should
be born in a house of our own"
/ understood now why she was
so anxious and hesitated no longer.
"You will pardon my keeping
you at the door, but l felt nervous
at first, being all alone in the house,
but for my pupils. Please come
in."
I ushered her into the dining
room, and left her with the wonder
ing children while brought can
die, as the upper part Of the house
was not supplied with gas. l had
some trouble to find one, not being
familiar with the domestic arrange
ments of the house, and when re-
turned my visitor was sitting near
the fire chatting with the little ones.
"This is the dining-room," | said.
eyes, and | have taken quite a
fancy to it, even in these few minu-
tes, while your little pupils and
myself have grown quite friendly"
81 am glad they have amused
you. Will you kindly follow ?" |
asked, as l passed into the draw
ing-room.
She went into raptures over it..
She liked large drawing room,
and had been fearful that she should
not get so large one as she wished
in ten-roomed house. The upper
rooms seemed to please her equally
we'll and then we descended to
inspect the kitchen.
"Ah," she exclaimed, as she en-
tered the front one, this is a very
nice room-no servant could object
to sit here, for it is quite as comfor-
table as q parlor and | am glad to
see shutters to the windows-the
back premises are often left so very
insecure"
We passed into the scullery.
"Will you kindly lend me the
candle p she asked. / did so and
she examined the fastenings of the
windows very carefully. ga bur-
glary was once committed in a
house where was staying; ever
since l have been very particular
about the bolts and bars" she said,
apologetically.
"You have seen all now, except
the cellars, and you will scarcely
care to go down there"
IL should like to see all can
see, nevertheless, if you do not
mind"
l accompanied her; and again
she took the candle, and examined
the fastenings, telling me, laughing
ly, that she was determined to be
safe in her castle if bars and chains
could make her so. We stood for
o few moments on the step, before
parting, and she said sweetly-
"You have done me great kind
ness tonight, and | hope you will
never have cause to regret it, even
though Mr.. and Mrs. Newstead are
from home. My husband will
write to the former tomorrow, and
no doubt all will be satisfactorily
arranged"
We shook hands and parted, /
feeling quite proud of my even
ing's work, as / was sure Mr.. and
Mrs. Newstead would be glad of
what ! had done.
"What a precious time that crea-
lures kept you," exclaimed Hugh,
rs l re-entered the dining room.
II thought you were never coming
back"
"Never mind--we'll lose no time,"
/ replied.
Nelly returning to her place on
my lap, while Hugh and Meta re-
sumed their seats on either side,
and story followed story till the
clock struck nine.
The girls were in bed, and bad
passed into Hugh's room to say
goodnight, when he asked sud-
denly