Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-01-01
her eyes were full of tears. W.
walked on in silence.

she, stopping at the corner OF one
which knew contained many old
and decaying buildings, inhabited
by the poor. 81 will go there first,
and carry the grapes and apples
"And / will go with you," said l.
al may as well call and see your sis
ter to-day, as to wait till to-mor-
row."
"Annie will love to see you, but
it is poor-looking place for lady
to go to-" said she, looking at my
dress, which, though plain, was OF
rich material.
AS she raised her eyes to my
bonnet-a part of the dress, as l
noticed, which is more particularly
attractive to children-her eyes met
mine more fully than they had done
before. She started little, while
look OF mingled joy and surprise
crossed her countenance. But it at
once gave place to one full of sor-
rowful emotion. While debating
in my mind whether to question
her on the subject or not, she plac-
ed her foot on the doorstep of one
of the better looking of the old
and dilapidated buildings, saying
as she did so:
"This is where Annie lives"
Ascending a flight of stairs, she
ushered me into a scantily furnish
ed, though not uncomfortable-look-
ing apartment.
"Cathie, Cathie-how glad / am
that you have come" said Annie,
who was at least two years older
than my conductrtss, and who sat,
propped by pillows, on a bed.
Catherine, without speaking, ran
up to her and displayed the apples
and grapes. A single exclamation
of delight burst from Armies lips,
and then her soft blue eyes, which,
owing to the emanciated face, look
ed almost preternaturally large,
were turned with a look of inquiry
toward me.
"'Twas she who gave them to
me-" said Cathie.
Mrs. Bray was a tidy, though
somewhat coarse looking woman,
her countenance being by no means
expressive of those genial traits so
readily recognized by children, and
which seldom fail to win their con-
fidence and love. She was busy
with some of the coarse kind of
sewing commonly termed slop-work,
Ind at my entrance rose and hand
ed me chair. AS I accepted her
courtesy, / saw Cathie bend down
30 as to bring her face close to her
sisters. After saying something in
. whisper to each other, they direc-
ed fugitive glances toward me-
Mrs. Bray, too, eyed me inquisi-
lively, and, as it seemed to me, not
very complacently, when she imag-
ned l was not observing her.
The fruit soon claimed Annie's
and | took it upon me to
i've her leave to eat few of the
grapes, as | considered she was suf-
ering more from want of nutriment
han disease. Very soon the city
lock commenced striIsing eleven.
"Don'c stay q minute longer"
aid Annie; 81 am so afraid that
he will punish you"
"And wouldn't be to blame If she
i'd" remarked Mrs. Bray. "It's
nough to try ones patience for to
70 off loiterin' round the busiest
art of the day, when she needs
our help the most"
Catherine quickly, though with
vident reluctance, put on her little
lded brown hood she had laid aside
her entrance, and hurried from
ne room, casting toward me, on !
er way out, an earnest look.
al shall be sure to call and see
ou to-day or tomorrow" said 1.
But you have forgotten your share
4 the fruit"
Taking part of it, I went to the
loor and handed it to her, that she
night not be detained. Mrs. Bray
emained silent, from time to time
ontinuing her inquisitorial CLAN
es. l broke the silence by asking
low long Annie had been i'll.
"Four weeks" she replied. ait
5 a slow fever that ails her.. She
) beginning to have some appetite
ow, but am too poor to afford to
ny delicacies for her. 1t is as
mich as I ran do IN earn my broad