Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-01-17


~" he said, half inquiringly.
"Never fear" replied his sister,
in an injured tone; "if she writes
me that she is coming this month,
| will let you know, so you will
have ample time to make your es.
cape"
"There Kate" laughed Mark, in
a conciliatory way, tive will not
quarrel about your model friend.
Indeed, | am only too glad to let
the subject drop. I'll go and have
a romp with the children now
Where will | find them p
"They are out walking with the
new governess."
"Oh. they are! Well I'll amuse
myself till they return"
Falconer put on his hat, and
strolled out upon the lawn.
1t was one of those serene, sun
ny September days that make the
whole earth look smiling and glad,
and as the young man started to
follow up one of the white gravel
walks that led out from the house.
a feeling Of delicious rest from the
dull cares of busy city life came
over him.
lie was just falling into n reverie
when a peal of childish laughter
struck pleasantly upon his ear. 1t
came from one of the summer
houses that skirted the lawn.
"The children" he mnrmured.
an go and see them, and relieve
their teacher awhile"
And he bent his steps in that d.
rection.
The summer house was covered
with climbing rose bushes, cypress
and jessamine, that screened him
from the view Of those within and
he approached cautiously, intend
ing to give his little nephew and
niece surprise. He stepped up
to the door and paused. Such a
picture as burst upon his view.
Sitting in a rustic chair was one
Of the loveliest beings he bad ever
beheld. 1t WAS a young lady,
whose dress Of plain black was re-
lieved only hy little sprays OF snowy
lace around the neck and wrists.
Her face was one OF the rarest
types of feminine beauty, and inst
now was dimpling all over with
smiles, that revealed a faultles. row
OF pearly teeth. The eyes, large,
black and sparkling, were enough
to turn any old bachelors head :;
the hair was dusky as a starless
night, and becomingly dressed,
while its only ornament was a sin
gle white jessamine twined amid
its folds. She wore no Jewels, ex-
cept the pearl pendants in her ears,
and a solitaire diamond ring that
flashed on one Of her white fingers.
At her feet sat two beautiful
children--a little boy and GIRL
She had evidently been telling
them stories, and had inst finished
one, for the delighted little ones
were crying ont:
"Tell us another, Miss Trenton"
when the lady saw tall shadow
fall across the threshold.
She looked mp with a start, and
then rose to her feet, blushiDg Grim
son. Mark Falconer lifted his hat
with polite bow, coloring little
himself.
"Pardon my intrusion" be STAN
mered. 81 fear l have interrupted
you in the midst of your pleasant
pastime."
"Uncle Mark Uncle Mark !"
screamed the children, running up
to him, and clinging to the skirts
Of his coat.
"My name is Mark Falconer,"
continued the gentleman, without
noticing his diminutive relatives.
81 am Mrs. Bsrry's brother from
the city. You are the new COVER
ness, | presume 7"
She bowed, still looking very
much confused.
"rhis is Miss Trenton, Uncle
Mark cried the precocious nephew
in shrill voice. "and I tell you
what, she's o jolly old girl. Shake
hands with her why, don't you :"