Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-10-10

edly. "Then you'll write TO Lewis 10
come home and see the poor old ladyp'
"Ah no, can't do that Don't you
see II would seem as II just wanted
him 10 come back In time TO get her
money! Don't ask me, can't indeed"
Old Mrs. Frost fingered on and got
better, as old people so often do when
they are expected to die; and one day,
when she was able TO sit up in bed, she
sent for Miss Fontaine and Amabel
Gray TO come to see her. The old maid
went at once, with good deal OF nerv-
Gus trembling; the young one came
near not going at all, but proud de-
sire to show her enemy that she was
not afraid OF her, also, at the appoint
ed hour.
Elizabeth Fontaine," cried the sick
woman, as soon as the old maids fussy
bonnet-top appeared above the horizon.
what in the name of all the saints do
you mean by meddling with my affairs 2
Haven't got along pretty well without
your help for nigh eighty yearsp have
mind to shake you till your frowsy
hair stands on end"
don't abuse my hair, Cousin Sarah, :"
said the meddler, glad TO create diver
sion, 'for, as the old nursery rhyme
says, God hath made them so.'"
"And / suppose you'll tell me that He
made you busybody about other peo-
pies mattersp Well, all I've got to say
Is, pretty spot OF work he made Of
you. II / choose TO die here by myself,
what Is that to youp"
''It's nothing TO me when / see you in
such a fair way TO get well, Cousin Sa-
rah"-Miss Fontaine was not easily
brow-beaten-"but ii is a great deal to
me when you were i'll; so much that ]
promise you not TO leave one stone I'M
turned TO bring Lewis home to take care
Of YOU"
"Ha, Lewis! Your guilty conscience
brings you to the confessional at once.
Well, Busy Fontaine, hate your med
dlesome ways, but l must say you are a
woman OF spirit, and l admire you for
that. 1--WE sent for that red-haired
girl who has made fool OF Lewis, but
I've no idea she'll venture within the
sound of my voice"
At this moment Mrs. Frost's soft
footed maid opened the door and an
nounced: "Miss Amabel Gray, mad
am"
To Miss Fontaine's infinite amuse-
mani tho old ladv vaa ouita ohio
and sufficiently thrown off her guard to
offer her visitor seat in a tone almost
courteous. Perhaps it was because she
had just expressed her conviction that
the girl would not come, but it is more
likely that it was the unexpected effect
Of Amabel's stately young beauty upon
her. Amy was simply but richly
dressed, and carried herself with the
grace and dignity Of a young princess.
She bowed in distant acknowledgment
OF her hostess reception, and said, in a
tone OF cold Indifference, that she had
come in accordance with the request re-
ceived from Mrs. Frost the day before.
YES" cried the old lady, shaking
for you to road you letter; did you
bring one in your pocketP"
II did not, madam" answered the
girl; she did not abate one jot OF the
duchess-in-her-own-right air, but Miss
Fontaine's keen eye saw tell-tale spot
Of color rise in each cheek. Evidently
Amy held the cue to the grandmother's
mystery. The old maid gave herself a
little pinch through her glove. "Why
couldn't you let this mess alone, Busy
FontaineP" she questioned herself, Sc
verely; you've gone and put your foot
in 1t, sure's you are born"
"But you've got one that wasn't in
tended for you," pursued the keen-eyed
old lady, peering under Amabel's soft
brimmed leghorn. Miss'Gray's silence
was not the sort that gives consent; the
elevation OF her chin said plainly:
81 do not answer impertinent ques-
tons"
"Oh, very WE'LL" said Mrs. Frost,
after waiting for the answer that was
not forthcoming, iii you can keep what
comes to you, so ! suppose can J." and
she drew from little escritoire at her
side bulky looking envelope, ad-
dressed, rs her visitors could see as she
held II up, to Mrs. Sarah Sorrell Frost,
in a large, clear hand.
"You must know" she said, her dan.
gerous-looking eyes twinkling with grim
humor, "that my correspondent is very
fond Of me; perhaps you will think him
extravagantly fond OF such an ugly old
woman. But hear this letter. He be-
gins, My precious darling" She
stopped and glanced at Miss Gray and
the girl gave an irrepressible little start
forward, rs II TO seize the letter, but re-
strained herself and sat not only quiet
now, but rigid, like some young Indian
brave undergoing torture.
II have just received" continued the
reader, "a letter from that dear, med.
dlesome old maid, Miss Busy Fontaine.' y
There was another little silence, while
the invalid paused to enjoy Miss Fon.
taine's dire confusion. 'She says my
grandmother is very i'll and begs me to
come back to her. You may imagine
what perplexity this throws me into.
To come back now brands me in the
eyes of the world. mean my world Of
friends and acquaintance in Granville,
as mercenary wretch, who is not will
ing TO be reconciled TO his only relation
short OF 5000, 000." ("Humph, he rates
it high" calculated the reader.) "And
/ am not Indifferent to the opinion hello
of the man whom the sweetest woman
who e'er drew breath has promised Il
marry" Miss Amabels hands were
clenched in the lace folds of her gown
but she gave no other sign.) "And
yet, despise myself for stopping Il
think OF self, or of any thing except my
dear old granny, sick and alone. Fol
I do love her dearly for all she has beer
to me, and am coming, dearest; viii
reach Granville almost as soon as this