Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-07-11


the risk. She was perfect little ac-
tress. II any thing had been needed
to effect Roberts complete subjuga-
ton. after his first vision of her love-
illness ut the Harvard Assemblies, IL
was supplied when he saw her the week
after In some private theatricals She
could appear to be Quakeress just as
effectively as she could act her more
natural self in a very different world;
and 10 was with face and accent and
manner perfectly adapted to her new
toilet that she quietly entered the par
lor again after her escapade up stairs,
and said demurcly to Roberts mother:
Rachel, would thee like me to wear
this gown tomorrow evening for thy
friendsp"
There was a subdued whistle of de-
light from the reconstructed Robert
in the corner. But Roberts mother
gave no sign.
"Thee must wear just what thee
pleases. Edith. II il pleases thee bet
ter to wear thy gown of red silk"
And the wise Edith understood hui
man nature well enough to be sure
that Rachel" would not he altogether
disappointed il her pretty future daugh-
ter-in-law should reconsider her toilet
and re-appear in the dainty gowns she
had been exhibiting for the past fort
night.
"And what does Samuel thinkp"
Edith asked, passing on to stand be-
fore Roberts father.
Samuel thinks" said the old gen.
tleman, slyly, that thee had better
ask Robert"
"Oh, no, papa Samuel, that would
not be any test at all; thee knows per-
fectly well that Robert likes me In any
thing" said Roberts fan Gee, demure-
ly.
"And so do l like thee in any thing"
said papa Samuel, with unexpected
gallantry. "But think 1 like thee
best, Edith, in red. Thee knows we
Quakers like to follow the way that Is
most simple and natural, and l think
red is the most natural for thee. I
think thee must have been born in that
red silk of thine. Thee is very sweet
to me, my child, In this Quaker gray;
but we Quakers, thee knows, do not
approve of thoatricals, and l think to-
night thee is trying TO play n part. Thee
acts IL very prottily, Edith, but advise
thee to go back to nature and thy red
gowns.
SO the battle was won, and the re-
suit proved that Edith was quite able
to conquer, not only Roberts rela-
tons, but Roberts relations friends.
When, year later, she came back to
them again as bride, there was but
one thing left for her to conquer.
Robert had prepared her for possible
visit from elderly friends who might
think 1t their duty TO demonstrate with
her, or with him, on this very worldly
marriage, and it was, in truth, hardly
o month before he ran upstairs one
afternoon rs she was dressing, with
the announcement that the probable
counselors were taking off their over
coats in the hall.
She hesitated moment; but her
hesitation rose merely from moments
consideration of whether she had any
other gown in her wardrobe that would
emphasize more distinctly her in ten
ton to adhere to her own traditions.
She decided that the long trailing skirt
Of pale green cashmere. with its border
of pale plush and Its sash of watered
silk, was sufficiently worldly when one
took into consideration the jewel that
sparkled in the laces at her throat, the
dainty lace-edged handkerchief and
the perfectly groomed little curls over
her white forehead She paused only
to slip on ono more bangle over her
round wrist, and then, kissing her hus-
band, floated down stairs.
Robert never knew exactly what she
said or did to the old gentlemen in the
parlor. He hung over tho banisters,
and caught the echoes Of her silvery
little laughs, and saw the maid carry
tea into the parlor, and at the end Of
an hour descended the stairs himself,
as the old gentlemen emerged from the
doorway, determined to stand by Edith
to the last, If she happened to have had
hard time. He knew that some re-
monstrancc would be quietly dealt out
to himself, oven during the brief vesti-
bule episode Of farewell; but to his
establishment as he stepped forward to
help the old gentlemen with their over
coats, the one who was evidently
spokesman for the party grasped his
hand and said heartily: Friend Rob-
ert, thee has married well!'
Still another year later, and there lay
on Edith's arm little Edith, with
lovely eyes and very remarkable, highly
embroidered clothes.
do you think, Esther" said the
young mother, anxiously, THAT she is
going to have curly hairp"
Yes" said Esther, with smile that
was grimly pleasant and yet pleasantly
grim, II think she will have curly hair
I know thee would find way to curl
il, though it be rs straight as-as a
pipe-stem, and Aunt Esther bent over
to kiss tho child.
"And you're glad il curls, Esther,
you know you are" insisted the baby's
mamma.
"Yes, Edith, am glad IL curls. For
since thee would be sure TO curl it some
how, il Is best that Dame Nature will
have mono of thy tricks and graces, but
will bring up the child to please her
self. Alice Wellington Rollins, IN
Pittsburgh Bulletin.