Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-01-31

cheer and help her. She found moro
leisure to assist her young brother in his
studies and To read her own dearly loved
books and magazines.
The winter, with its long, cosy even
ings and its merry sleigh-rides. was over
before they had enjoyed il half enough,
Dolly thought and the birds were sing
ing again among the trees that shaded
the house. The old butternut trce be-
hind the long row of barns had large,
handsome leaves once more.
One Sunday afternoon Dolly took
book and went to sit in the shade OF the
old tree, just as she had often done ever
since she was a little girl. The book
was John Halifax, Gentleman" and
somehow, as she read and became more
and more interested in the character of
the hero, she was startled to find herself
thinking of George Sterling. The tones
OF voice she read Of; the kind, searching
eyes; the erect, firm bearing-she knew
them all. They were near her. They
had often quietly cheered and strength
ened her.
A slight noise from the stone wall OPP
poste made her look up. There were
the very eyes, looking straight into hers.
'Why, George! How came you herep"
eve been home, and came back
across the fields. Its only three miles,
you know, coming across. You looked
perfectly happy as l come up. What
are YOU readingp"
John Halifax" answered Dolly.
''Do you know the bookp''
"Yes, well; and I'm glad you're read
ing it."
"Whyp Will it help me to make
nicer butterp''
That's just it. After n person reads
ii, he feels that he's got to do his best in
whatever work he's called to, and help
along people about him S wells as he
can"
That's fine praise" said Dolly.
"Have you been to the post-oflicep l see
you have letter."
"This came yesterday. Two been
wanting to show it to YOU" and George
took the letter from its envelope and
handed it to her, at the same time sitting
down on the rock by her side.
The letter was rs follows:
My DEAR GEORGE SrERLING: sour firm
will probably buy more butter than usual next
fall aud we want to secure as many fine lots as
possible. Can you send us another twelve
hundred pounds as good as that was which
you sent us last yeari Wen promise to pay
the highest price in the market for the next
ten years, II you'll send Us butter like that.
Please let us hear from you soon.
Every truly yours, /. Ii. FURSEss."
"Do you remember telling your father
that you meant Dolly Browns butter to
be famous?" asked George, as she
finished reading.
"But I'm afraid you won't stay with
us ten years." said Dolly, smiling
land, if we hadn't had you to take care
of the cattle, milk, and churn so well,
etc, I'm afraid the fame of our butter
would never have gone abroad"
1t follows, then, that we ought TO
make butter together, doesn't ftp" said
George.
81 think it does" said Dolly, trying
TO look unconscious. So you'll have
to stay till the ten years are up" and
she closed her book and half rose, as if
to 60.
Don't go just yet, please" said
George, as he took her hand and drew
her back, with gentle yet firm pressure.
There is something | wish to tell you.
| have thought that my brother would
stay at home, take care of father and
mother, and always keep the old place;
but lately his mind seems bent on study
in medicine, and father thinks he'd bet
ter go where he can have the best teach
ers to work with. You can see what is
left for me to do. must go home. But
that isn't all, Dolly. Dear old mother
wants a daughter. She wants GER
tain sweet young girl, named Dolly
Brown. | want her, too, rery much.
Dolly, 'front.' you comep''
Shelooked up slowly, with tears in her
eyes, "Will you be good to me? Good,
like John Halifaxp"
'I'll try" said George, solemnly.
"And you? Will you be like Ursulap
81 too, will try" she answered.
"And we'll make butter together
said George. rs he kissed her, smiling
through her tears.
Dolly would never have left her father
and young brother to the care of stran-
gers, and George used to say that Aunt
Elizabeth had been sent as special
providence. so that Dolly might come to
| him.
Aunt Sally IS value is still, on the whole,
an unknown quantity. And yet who
knows but the angels may some day
solve the problem and obtain larger
answer than any of us think. She is said
to be really gentle and loving to Dolly's
little daughter.-N Y independent.