Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-04-05

unlucky. | was one Of these. Ny
feet were always in my way on the
floor, and | wanted my hands in my
pockets, and | trod on trains and
stumbled over my partner, and
stuck my elbows into unwary peo-
ple's sides, until even Nora had
to give me up as "bad job" and
forbade my showing my gymnastic
powers in company. was Just as
unfortunate in croquet ; my ball
would always hit some dreaming
lovers chin, or bound clear across
the ground into some fair lady's
lap. always hit when it wasn't
my time, forget when it was, split
mallets, pounded my foot, or STUN
hled headlong over the arches
There was only one thing / was al
home in-tbat was eating. | used
to fill myself to the eyebrows at
picnics that was what / liked
about them. To-day, however, in
stead of watching for the dainties
to appear, kept my eyes on Nora
how sweetly she did look with her
bright auburn hair falling over her
bare white shoulders, that rose
from her ganzy blue dress like sea
foam above the blue water! She
had returned from the oak and was
as merry as could he. She seemed
like some bird to me, fitting from
one gronp to another, her musical
laugh ringing through the woods.
"Ain't she q sumner? But she
don't care n cent for Clarendon" ]
thought Indignantly.
AT supper l made myself a
martyr, and sat down by Ella
Weatherly, at whose other side sat
Clarendon, so as to be opposite
Nora, who was with q bevy Of
bright eyed girls. There was a
rich color on Nora's face, and she
glanced shily from under her sillIen
curls. With that dreamy shyness
she was irresistible; even Clarendon
had to look at her instead of quiet
Ella Weatherly. 1t filled me so
full of pride TO think that / was
her brother, that l actually had /
the courage to toss a sweet confec-
ton kiss with the motto "From
sweet to sweet" into saucy Min
MES lap; it nearly grazed a state
ly old gentlemen's nose on the way,
but it reached its destination all
right, and l got a glance that made
my heart beat like a trip-hammer,
and threatened to spring through
my new jacket and fling itself at
MINES feet, in spite of my bash
fnl remonstrances but ! looked at
Nora, who was conversing with
Jack, and my heart resumed its
quiet. / was feeling extra nice
and had successfully passed the
cake to Ella Weatherly, when
Laura asked me for the lemonade. |
| lifted the pitcher, Ella Weatherly
narrowly escaped being hit by my
elbow, Minnie gave me another
bewildering glance, and over went
the pitcher. Laura received more
lemonade than she asked for, and
several others got more than their
share; the girls jumped up like
so many grasshoppers, and the
boys fell over their chairs, hut no
damage, fortunately, was done, and
a little good came of it, for Nora.
who was not noticing, sat just
where a miniature rivulet was rush
ing, and Clarendon, who in olden
times had likoned her to Moore's
Mama, for whom an angel lost his
home in heaven, called out, "Nama,
get npl"
I did not trust myself near Min
ME or Ella Weatherly for the rest
NJ the meal. A little time after
Nora called me to go out on the
lake with her and few friends.
loved the water (what boy does
not) and gladly fastened 10 obey
the welcome summons, Jack was
teasing Minnie in the boat, and
Clarendon, two couples who had
been walking in the magic road
ashore. Nora was quite alone and
was leaning her head upon one
little hand-Minnlc'seyes beckon-
I'd me to her side, but resisted
the temptation and sat down near
Nora. The little boat floatcd out
into the water gracefully. Claren-
don came over by Nora. They
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