Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-02-18
A CHANCE WORD.

dow OF her little parlor watching the
slow rising of q storm over the opposite
sky. Even city streets have their oppor-
tunities. This street in which Miss
Sydney dwelt was in the outskirts of n
suburb, where building plots were still
generously measured. 1t ran along the
ridge of q slope, and Miss Sydney S
house had the further advantage of
standing opposite group of vacant
lots, beyond which, above the roofs and
chimneys on the lower streets, line of
blue hills was visible, topped with woods
and dappled with cloud shadows.
Many an autumn sunset had she
watched from her front windows; many
soft spring rain and whirling snow
storm. To some natures there are both
companionship and compensation in the
changeful aspects of nature. Myra was
one of these. She would not have ex-
changed her little house with its wide
view for any other, however magnificent,
whose boundaries were brick walls
alone; and sky, and sun, and hill, mado
for the leisure moments of her busy life
a perpetual and unwearying feast.
The room in which Miss Sydney sat
expressed its owner rs rooms will,
whether meant to do so or not. In no
respect of size or shape did it differ
from No. IL on one side, or No.
ID on the other, yet its aspect was
anything rather than commonplace.
The prevailing tint on the wall and
floor was soft olive, which made q
background for brighter colored things;
for the old Indian shawl, which did
duty as portiere; for couple of deep
hued Eastern rugs; for pictures of vari-
Gus kinds and values, and q sprinkling
of bric-a-brac, odd rather than valuable,
but so chosen rs to be in thorough har-
nony with its surroundings.
Everything had q use. No pitfalls
yawned for unwary guests in the shape
of minute tables, Queen Anne or other
wise, laden with trumpery biscuit or
Sevres, and ready to upset with atouch.
A couple of short, old-fashioned sofas
flanked the fireplace on either side,
two or three casy-chairs and firm
set, low table, laden with books and pc
riodicals, completed sort of circle
where ten or a dozen persons could
group themselves around the blaze.
Miss Sydney herself, slight, vivid and
very simply dressed, but without an I'M
graceful point or fold, was in accord
ance with her room.
The clock struck seven. The black
cloud had crept TO the zenith, and now
strong gust of wind swept from be-
meath it, bringing on its wings the first
drop of rain. Miss Sydney rose and shut
the window. AT that moment the door.
bell rang.
"It's two girls with parcel, Miss
Myra," said Esther, the parlor-maid
They'd like to speak with you, they
say"
Miss Sydney went out into her little
entry. Tho girls, about the same age
wero of the unmistakable shop-gir
type. "You are from Snow & Asher s
thinkp" she said, in her courteou,
voice.
"Ycs'm. Mr.. Snow said he WASH
sure which of tho under-waists it wa.
that you took, so he sent both kinds
and will you try 'em on, pleasep'
Certainly. Arc you to wait fol
themP"
"Ycs'm."
Miss Sydney made what haste sh,
could, but before she returned tn,
rain was falling in torrents. "You mus
wait till it slackens." she said. you'll
be very wet if you don't. Have you fa
to gop"
"Shc has," replied one of the girls
with an embarrassed giggle. I'm
pretty near by, and the horse-car run
Just in front of the door. But Cary ha
TO walk quite long way, and her shoe
IRE thin, too. Sho'd better wait, guess
but 1 must go, anyway"
Miss Sydney glanced at the shoes
cheap, papcr-solcd boots, with dusty
velvet bow sewcd on the toe of each
and she, too, concluded that by al
means "Cary" must wait.
Come in here" sho said, leading tn
way into the parlor. Esther had nov
lighted the lamp. A little fire sparkle,
on tho hearth. Myra drew an cas-,
chair close to il. "Sit down and hav,
n thorough warming" sho said. ut
chilly evening"
"Ycs'm."
The girl thrust the velvet-bowe,
shoes, which CAPPED for lack of buttons
out 10 the fire, and, half from embar
rassmcnt, held up u hand to shade he
face. II was small hand, with an am
biguous rcd gem OH the forefngcr. TIL
nails wero all bitten to tho quick, Mis-
Sydney noticed.
The face shaded by the hand was no
unprctty. Tho brown eyes had
straightforward, honest glance, tn
mouth was rather sweet, there was tina
dclicacy Of modelling, just bordering o.
fragility, which gives to tho early yout
OF so many American women ilectin
charm. 1t was face which softly
banded hair and n low knot woul
suit; but, with the bad taste of he
GLASS, Cary had adopted tho style Q
couture which became her least. Al
tic front hair was an unkempt tangle Q
'bang." At the back was mass Q
lstc switches, braided and surmountc
with gilt comb, and on top of tn
erection was perchcd straw hat line
9th blue and ornamcnted with be
Hvorolo.l o<oLfo totl H.. I.oca a