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

my crimps are all out of curl. What
ever shall dop Oh, l know Esther
said she would be in the next room IL ]
wanted any thing"
In another minute ahs was tapping
at Esther's door.
al am so sorry TO trouble you, but
my slate-pencil is all broken to bits in
my bag Could you let me have one
of yoursP"
"Thee would like n slate-pencilp"
said Roberts serene sister, with evil
dent bewildcrment.
Eyes. for my crimps. you know.
They are all out of curl, and SO tumbled
that ] can't possibly go down stairs
looking So"
''But could thee not comb them outp
| could lend thee comb to comb them
out"
81 could. of course, but you've no
idea what a fright | am without my
crimps. Robert never saw me with my
hair straight, and | know he would
hate to have las mother see me unless
was looking my very, very best. OF
course. you know, have another bang
in my trunk"-Edith made this frank
confession with wild instinct that 1t
would be best for Roberts relatives to
know the worst at once, so that any
possible concessions TO be made after
ward, though she would not yet ao-
knowledge the possibility of concession,
would strike them in the light of unex-
pected improvement-"but my trunk
hasn't come; and SO if you could lend
me pencil!"
I'll am afraid have no slate pen
Gil, faltered Esther.
"Well, pipe would do; haven't you
q pipe handler just common white
pipe, such as the children have for soap
bubbles, you know"
IF thee will wait moment, will
see," said the discreet Esther
Edith i'm the meantime made her
way back TO her own room and waited
In suspense, while Esther went slowly
down stairs, questioning her con-
science, and yet very 10th to disap-
point the little witch who was depend
ing upon her. She had made up her
mind to be very tolerant of the worldli-
ness Of Roberts fancee, but to be called
upon to aid and abct her in il, was al
most more than could be reasonably
expected of her, even by Robert. And
yet IL would be SO unfortunate to begin
the visit with family jar! She had a
| kavr a thar N
pipe in the housc-Richard, her little
nephew, had had it for soap bubbles
only the week beforehand to tell lie,
even white lie, and permit herself to
be unable TO find it, was something
more terrible to Esther's conscience
than even conniving ut a curl. AS it
happened, however, she really could
not find II. Here was certainly suffl-
cient excuse for going back empty
handed and yet, and yet-when she
came to the foot of the stairs, Esther,
instead of going up, turned aside into
the kitchen.
Bridget, could thee spare moment
TO 60 across to the corner grocery and
get me pipe-a common white clay
pipeP'
"A pipe, is itP' said the wondering
Bridget.
YES, Bridget; pipe; pipe
for - for blowing soap bubbles, "
stammered Esther. Thee knows,
Bridget pipe such as Rich ard had
for his play"
Eyes, know" said Bridget, wiping
her hands on her apron, and then re-
moving her apron. "And it's soap
bubbles they do be wantin' to blow al.
readyP Faith, I'll send EN- up plate
full for dinner
Edith has won her first battle, ="
wrote Mrs. Marvin to her husband that
evening, land without wound or
scorn on either side. Ionly wish you
had been here with your detective
camera to get an instantaneous picture
of the two girls when Edith opened the
door and Esther handed her the pipe
As Edith had confidently expected, 4,
was the first Of long series of victo-
ries over Roberts relations, which she
gained, not by trampling down their
prejudiccs under the high heels of her
French slippers, but by quietly teach.
ing them to like her just as she was.
She had an infinite amount of the gra.
cious tact which comes with certain
kind Of aristocratic, high-bred worldli-
ness, and she was Mt heart most win.
ningly affectionate and true-hearted
| v;r1 Had che hoan ,,,oroI,, n would
ling, the French slippers would not
have fought for her or conquered her
enemies, but Roberts relations made
the surprising discovery that really
sweet-hearted creature remains sweet
even on high heels; and before a week
was over Edith was the acknowledged
ruler of the entire household.
1t was even decided in family con,
clave that it would do to give her what,
in the worldly world, would be known
asa reception" They had had nc
idea of doing this in looking forward
to her visit 1t was felt that il would
be concession enough for them to con.
sent to receive MS n visitor into the
bosom of their own family the young
woman who had disappointed their fond
esthopes for the security of Roberts fu
ture. To have their friends to meet
her, to see her in the full blaze of hel
efffoniery of long silk gown and per-
haps even of diamonds, would be Il
advertise their shame, the disgrace o.
the entire family, in way no to b.
contemplated for moment They
would endure, but they would not pub
lish to the world the fact of what they