Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-10-22
Sly WIDOW BISBEE.
BY LILY NJ. CURRY.

There was nothing remarkable in the
fact that the Misses Asher had never
married. Wealth abundant was theirs,
and friends and the esteem of the COM
munity entire. They lived the most
serene life imaginable. They never
disagreed-and there were three of
them, of ages ranging from thirty-six
to forty-two years. They never irri-
tated one another. Abigail, Dora, and
Fidelia were their respective names.
Their individualities blent as happily
as white and azure and sea-shell pink.
Their existence was one harmonious
round of sisterly affection, unostenta-
tious charity, and devotion to their three
pet cats.
That is, until Cosgrove appeared
Cosgrove was the new organist of Trim
ity, the most important church in Pot
tersville, and the church whereof the
Misses Asher were communicates.
Trinity Church stood directly across the
wide street from the Asher residence,
q noble old house with its colonnade
veranda sheltered by superb horse
chestnuts However, the ladies in ques-
ton had taken decided fancy to the
new organist, and evinced disposition
to second his efforts at obtaining q
choir ef boys. After little they had
even prevailed upon Mr.. Cosgrove to
come and make his home with them.
Mr.. Clinton Cosgrove was dark,
handsome browed and handsome eyed
gentleman of thirty-three. His other
features could not in strict truth have
haa,, a1 hoYIoA,,,a Al,A,,ol
full droop of mustache barely concealed
q melancholy curve of lip which many
had found attractive.
But there were, as the new organist
discovered after time, q number of
the congregation not thoroughly in SYM
pathy with his boy-choir arrangement.
This it was which pointed the de-
STABILITY of o compromise. Mr.. Cos
grove determined upon soprano SOLO
ist, and wrote at once to the metropolis.
And so one balmy day in June Joy
Folsom came down to Pottersville.
Cosgrove had never met the lady, but
she came highly recommended.
He hardly knew what he thought,
when he had had his first interview.
"Slim, timid, and face like Saint
somebody's" he said rather indefinitely,
as he walked slowly home to dinner at
Ashers', where he now made it his
home. He wondered if she could
really have sufficient voice in that slight
body.
The Misses Asher were much in
terested to hear about the new soprano.
In personal appearance there was little
difference between Miss Abigail and
Miss Dora, or between Miss Dora and
Miss Fidelia. A few more gray hairs,
a deeper wrinkle, lower voice, per-
haps. Their toilets were quite similar,
sedate, steel colored silks, soft laces,
and some quaint, old-fashioned jewels.
Yet they were 10y no means old women !;
q little art-oh, never so little art
might have transformed Fidelia at
least
But Cosgrove was not thinking of
this. His mind dwelt upon the newly
arrived, aud the probabilities of her
filling acceptably the position in ques-
tion. Supposing she should fail. How
he would dislike telling her she would
not suit. The big brown eyes that
looked so earnestly at him that after
noon-he could not forget them.
Joey" said Miss Abigail. Il sup
pose that is shortening of Josephine"
"No-not Joey," said Cosgrove, slow
ly; "Joy: odd name, is it notP But
think we shall like Miss Folsom. l
suppose you ladies will call on her."
40, TO be sure" said Miss Fidelia.
Joy Folsom sang her first solo the
following Sabbath, and sang IL TO the