Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1886-09-22

we'll rs her proficiency in all the more
practical requirements Of the time.
She was also an elegant dancer, and
was considered ono of the best three
dancers in the city. The other two were
n Miss Van Colt and a Miss -; but /
had better not give the other one name.
Twill CO her Vancssa, though Lucrezia
would be more apropos. These girls
Lilv Van Colt, NNne and my mother
-Ners constant companions. They
we're rcry beautiful. Nv mother said
Yanessa was superb, her figure com
manding, and her manners very I'M.
posing. Lily. though charming. had
not so much bel esprit. She was of a
more timid nature, and IL was no mat
ter of surprise that she did not attract
as much attention as Vanessa, nor that
Vanessa, notwithstanding her many
admirers, should marry first. Her
choice was considered cXcellent-a
young man of good family, of wealth
and of ambitious character Lily
shortly after married her cousin, and
my mother was bridesmaid TO both.
She delighted to describe the wedding
fcasts and tho beautiful apparel of the
brides, from the wine and the wedding
cake to the satin and pearl. But such
descriptions can hardly compare with
the luxury of the present day. How
ever, always listened with boyish
pleasure to all the details, for ii was
not until much later date that l
heard the whole of the story, or that
portion of il which was untitled for
childish ears.
"Thc winter succeeding these mar
riagcs was an unusually gay one.
Many foreigners were in town, and
among them famous singcr-a Sig
nor BOlacca, or some such name. Ev-
cry body ravcd about his exquisite
voice, and he was invited everywhere;
in fact, the whole town was at his feet.
You may be sure this pleased his Sc
rene Highness. but the two brides were
his especial favoritcs. Perhaps he
thought himself safer in paying attcn-
ton to married women than to maid
ems. 1t was noticed. however, that,
contrary to the usual custom, Vanessa
did not seem to stand first i'm favor,
but that Lily's guicter beauty had pre-
ccdcnce. This was the more remark
able because all visitors from foreign
lands had agreed in pronouncing Van
essa's style unapproachable except in
court circles.
! Now i have my own way OF telling
stories, and you must pardon the inter-
ruption, but l wish to remark that |
am coming to the part of my tale
which, when | have presented il i'm lit
crary form, is always objected TO as
sensational have therefore strivcn
to no purpose when l have cssaycd to
soften it. To resume:
You would not suppose that two
lovely young women, secure in the af-
rection OF their husbands, and enjoying
the respectful admiration of all their
friends, could possibly be affected by
the passing favor or foreign advcn-
turcr; for SO all those professional sing
crs were looked upon, no matter how
| greatly they were cOurtcd or how high
ly their attainmcnts were valued. But
IL became evident to all that Vancssa
was furiously jealous of Lily Van Colt.
Search rs you may for hidden springs
Of action, i am convinced that vanity is
Ms powcrlcss force among us as love
or hate or revenge.
"Signor Bolacca was guest at my
grandfathcr's house, and in his honor
a ball was to be given. The tickets
had been out for days-thcy did not
use cards SO commonly rs now-and
my mother had written invitations to
her particular friends, and received
their replies. Nancssa's note was on
her writing-dcsk, when delicate little
package was brought addressed to Sig
nor Bolacca, As he was i'm constant
receipt of pretty trincs from his many
admirers, my mother ordered the SER
want to take it to his room, merely re-
marking that the address rescmblcd
that Of the note lying before her.
''Thc ball was to take place that
night, and my mother was Just putting
the finishing touches to her toilet.
when she heard a little tumult in the
house. but thought nothing of il. !
should have told you that my grand
mothers death had placed her at tho
head OF affairs. She went on, there
fore, arranging her dress, when pale
faced servant rushed i'm and begged
her to come to tho foreign gentleman S
room and sec what was the matter.
MY mother hcsitatcd, and asked where
her father was, and why he had not
bscn appealed to: but the servant was
in so great agitation and alarm that
she was obliged to yield to her cntrca-
ties.
1.-The room was spacious One--.tho
guest chamber-and lighted by soon
ccs. In the middle of il and on can.
opted bed lay Signor Bolacca in full
dress, but CHASTITY pale and suffering
the servants were all about him, en-
deavoring to relieve him, and fright
ened half out of their wits. A fain,
odor Of coffee prevailed the atmos.
phere. MY mother opened the win
dows, applied restorativcs and had the
satisfaction of seeing the gentleman re.
vive. but was interrupted in her minis.
trations by messenger and note i'm
plOring her to como instantly to hei
friend and ncighbor Lily Van Cott
Imagine what prcdicamcnt for her &c
be in! Dressed for ball, the whole
house lighted and decorated, the per.
son for whom the entertainment wa.
in honor i'll on her hands, and another
friend bcsceching her presence as If hcl
life depended OH It. And, indeed, hel
life was in danger, as my mother soon
discovered from the messenger. Quick
ly giving her orders, and summonine
physician, my mother drew CLOAK
around her and hurried to her friend
The same sight met her eyes. Lovely
Lily Van Colt in all the bravery of bal
attire was stretched motionlcss and
spcechless on her bed, and tho
same odor of coffee filled the atmos.
phcre. Her husband was frantic, hci
attendants helpless. My mothers sus.
picions were now fully aroused; but
she maintained her GOODNESS and com
posture, and camly administered stimu
lants. She had the satisfaction of see,
ing her friend rally, and able to cx.
plain that she had been taken i'll after
drinking cup Of coffee; and as tho
physician had arrived, my mother
FASTENED home.
''She was just in time TO receive hcl
Il