Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-07-06
SIT WAS TO BE-"

Indeed I'll not do any such thing
The idea,'
Germaine crested her shining brown
head Indignantly. and looked straight
back in Constance Mcrrivale's eyes
Outside the cottage gate-and such
a tiny, picturesque cottage it was where
Germaine had lived all her life, with
honeysuckles and roses climbing to the
very chimney tops-outside the little
gate Miss Merrivalc's carriage stood in
waiting.
Inside, Miss Constance was sitting at
her ease in Germaine de Courcy's
mothers favorite chair, looking AT Ger
maine with an air of surprise, while be
side her on another chair, lay a roll of
white delicate lace and delicious pink
satin ribbon.
81 really think YOU had better re-
consider your decision, Miss de Courcy,
and make this dress for me- know
the price is not very good, but then,
you see, if it wasn't that my maid Is i'll,
it wouldn't cost me anything to get it
thrown together And really eight
and six is all | can think of paying
And then Germaine arched her neck
and shot out II flashing glance from
her lovely, spirited eyes, that had such
fascinating, lurid shadows among the
velvety brown tints.
Indeed I'll not do any such thing !
The idea For eight and sixl There
will be ruffles and puffings, and inser-
tons and plaitings. There will be
three days hard work to get up such a
dress. Thank you, Miss Merrivalle,
poor as we are, and as much as We need
money, l will not touch your dress on
such terms. I'd rather sell matches
for a living
Miss Merrivale arched her brows in
languid surprise, and a little vicious
snap came to her blue eyes.
"How exceedingly peculiar you are
in your expressions, Miss de Courcy!
Well, then, just roll up the material
and take it out to the carriage. And
| am quite sure it is the last time |
shall attempt to be charitable to you
indeed l really think when people are
so Independent as you are, they de-
serve to suffer"
Germaine quietly rearranged the
feecy parcel, her cheeks paling, her
brown eyes flashing as Miss Merrivale
slowly let fall her cold, insolent words.
Then, as Miss Merrivale arose from the
chair and took up the train of her gray
silk and gray velvet carriage dress,
Germaine finished tying the neat, light
parcel
There is your dress; you are just
as strong and able TO carry it to your
carriage as | am, Miss Merrivale. My
mother needs my attention. Please
excuse me. Good morning"
And as a princess might dismiss Il
claimant for her bounty-graciously,
haughtily, positively-this proud little
Germaine dismissed the daughter of
the second great man in the neighbor-
hood-Howard Merrivale, who kept a
retinue Of servants, and lived in n
magnificent palace that was only second
in Importance to that of the neighbor-
ing estate, Stonebank, as he himself
was second to the owner and heir of
Stonebank, who, for the first time in
ten years was coming back home, to
take up his permanent abode much to
the intense satisfaction of society in
general, and Constance Merrivale in
particular
And Germaine dc Courcy would not
make the new dress for her to wear
A sky blue as sapphire, and de.
licious breeze blowing that brought
the rich color to Germaine de Courcy's
cheeks as she walked along the paths
in the lovely, silent woods attached Ia
Stonebank. II had been only twenty.
four hours since she had SO Indignantly
refused to make Constance Merrivale's
dress, and during those twenty-four
hours she had been very seriously think.
ing what would be the very best way
for her to earn some money-for the
exchequer at home was running quite
low, and there was nobody to replendisf
il but herself.
So, walking along, her hat swinging
from her arm, she was suddenly startled
by the tearing Of a monstrous dog among
the underbrush, coming straight towards
her, barking loudly, and, natural con
sequence, terrifying her into scream
Just rs tall, handsome fellow sprung