Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-11-04

unsold, each containing supper for two.
and the card Of the lady who had
furnished 1t. Their pasteboard exte-
riors gave no hint of their contents. Ac-
cording to the rules Of the festival each
gentleman might purchase whatever
box he pleased. but having purchased
it, he must seek the lady whose card 1t
inclosed and share the lunch with her.
ANY crumbs left for me, Mrs. HaleP"
queried Mr.. Varney, handing her dol
lar bill.
"Help Yourself" answered the dea-
cons wife in the same facetious tone.
1.-The boxes arc twenty-five cents
apiece"
'Let the change go into the parish
fund, said he, choosing box at ran
dom.
''Much obliged; and hope you'll get
wife, demurely, adroitly substituting
another box for the one selected. She
was conscientious woman and a church
member, but she saw no harm in help
ing her liberal customer to the lunch
she happened to know had been pre-
pared by the object of his affection.
Were not all things fair in love and
WARP II upon rec ding Miss Olives
card Mr.. Varney suspected it had reach
ed him dishonesty, he neither then nor
afterward upbraided Mrs. Hale; but
promptly seeking Miss Olive, he escort
ed her to distant table, and rang for
coffee for two. Thanks to Sister
Bowen's agitation, 1t was muddy as tho
Tiber. Little did 1t matter. Mr.. Var
ney was thinking: what shall sayp"
and Miss Olive: what will the neigh
bors sayp"
'Td give all I'm worth, Olive, il !
could prevail upon you to always sit at
the head of my table," began the irwin
chile sutton, muncing a delectable bis
cult.
''Have a pickle, Mr.. VarneyP" put in
Miss Olive, with a warning glance to-
ward the nearest table, where sat the
gray-haired minister, supplng with the
youngest lamb of his flock.
"And l don't care who knows it."
went on Mr.. Varney, deliberately. "But
that won't be P,trson Drew. He's deaf
as stone wall"
81 think his deafness increases" said
Miss Olive, catching at the topic.
Every likely" asscnted Mr.. Varney,
with painful Indifference. "But not so
much as yours does, Olive. never had
such hard work to make anybody hear
in all my life."
TRY change of subject" suggested
the lady, with nervous laugh.
81 can't, Olive. Hyou tell me that I
am up and down disagreeble to you, I'll
take myself off; otherwise"
my papa isn't disagreeable, now is
he, Miss Meservep" cried Master Willie,
running up to the table in advance of
Mrs. Drew, his hostess for the evening.
Don't you like my papap" persisted
the boy, leaning Familiarity on Miss
Olives shoulder.
Eyes, yes, Willie, of course" MUIR
INJURED she, strangling an impulse to
shake him.
Leave children alone for asking
troublesome questions" said the minis
ter's wife, smiling down upon the coy
group. "But l assure you, Olive, Mr..
Varney and shall not quarrel with
Willie for making you blush so prettily.
L embrace this opportunity to present
my best wishesfor your future happi-
ness.
"Oh, Mrs, Drew, I-you-you're very
kind, but"
"And, Brother Varney, congratu-
late you with all my heart" shrilly
cried the observant parson, who had
read with delight the motions of his
wife's lips. alt is not good for man
to be alone saith Scripture. 1 wish
yourself and your bride every joy"
Thank you, sir-thank you" shouted
the inscriptions lover, with bold
glance at his confused partner. IL
can't explain, you see, without making
scene," he added to her in roguish
whisper. "Let us make the best Of it."
Attracted by the parsons loud words,
score of people had gathered about to
offer congratulations to the interesting
pair Speech would have been more
embarrassing than silence. Miss Olive
mutely accepted the situation and her
lover, and from that day to this has
never been sorry. But she still dwells
under the old roof-tree. 1t was Mo-
manned that came to the mountain.
Mohammed with one devoted little fol-
lower.-Penn Shirley, in Harper's Bazaar.