Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-08-21


Unfortunately they had never liked
Adeline. She was the daughter Of
Bert's employer, and cold superior"
sort of person, who had appeared to
think IL great condescension TO call
upon the Starr girls once or twice q
year. And consequently they could
not understand her attraction for Bert,
though they thought it very natural
she should find him attractive, for he
was tall, handsome, and possessed Of
great dignity.
Bert had taken II for granted that
they would all live together after his
marriage.
"Adeline and have talked matters
over very frankly" he said, after an
nouncing to his sisters one morning at
breakfast the news of his engagement,
land there will be no change here ex-
cept that she will take charge of the
housekeeping instead of Stacy. And
do hope every thing will be pleasant
all around"
ats all very we'll for Bert to talk Of
every thing being pleasant" said
Alice, when her brother had gone
down town, and she and Stacy were
alone. 1T seems easy to him, OF
course. but 1t won't be so easy for us.
Adeline said there need be no change
because she knows Bert couldn't af-
ford two establishments, and she
makes virtue OF necessity. But all
the same, she would be glad to be rid
OF us. I'm perfectly sure of that"
"Well, we can't blame her for it,"
said honest Stacy "Wed feel the
same. no doubt, were we in her place.
And we mustn't put her in so disagree
able a position. We must look out for
ourselves after Bert is married"
"rd like to know how" cried Alice.
my five music scholars bring me In
only enough money to dress myself
decently, and your drawing pupils
have dwindled down to half dozen.
Take care OF ourselves. indeedH'
ut must be done somehow" re-
joined Stacy. ut wouldn't be right
for us to depend on Bert for support
after he is married; and he would find
us heavy burden before long. And
then, too, we wouldn't find it pleasant
to live in the same house with Ade-
line"
Find q way by which we can live
out of 1t. then" said Alice.
"'Where there is will there's al
ways a way" quoted Stacy, cheerily.
But she was any thing but cheerful
this gloomy, wet October afternoon,
as she sat by the parlor window star
ing out into the quiet street She had
thought over that problem until her
brain was weary, and was no nearer
its solution than when she began.
She did not hear the bell ring, and
gave a great start as the parlor door
was thrown open suddenly, and
young girl in long, dark ulster and
turban hat came in.
Lou Dane!' cried Stacy, holding
out both hands in cordial greeting.
"Yes, Lou Dane" answered the
other. 81 know you ace surprised to
see me such wet, disagreeable even
ing, but had to come over if only for
a few minutes. I've been sitting with
Emma all the afternoon, and / need
cheering"
"And you think / am the one to
cheer you, l SUPPOSED I'll have the
gas lighted, then"
No, don't light the gas just to sit
here in the twilight is better than sit
ting at home under the glare of every
jet in the house. Oh, dear, every
thing is so dreary since Emma lost her
health. She does nothing but lie on
the sofa and complain. And she goes
over the list of her ailments to every
one who comes in. Henry is getting
discouraged. He isn't half as patient
with her as he used to be. He never
spends an evening at home now, and l
can't blame him, for it is hard enough
for me to hear Emma's continual fret,
and OF course it is worse for him."
"And she used to be so bright and
WE'LL" said Stacy.
THAT was before she was married.
when she used to be out every day for
hours at time. and had some variety
in life. just as soon as she married
she gave all that up. She had an idea
that her whole attention must be given
to her house. That was the altar on
which her health was sacrificed. She
is a homemade invalid Stacy. 1t is
an exertion now almost beyond her
endurance. to even 60 out in car
riage to make call. She sits by the
register and rocks all day, with the
temperature over eighty, and wonders
why she has a headache all the time
and feels so wretohed. really be-
lievc, Stacy, she would get we'll again
II she would only take some exercise
and live in well-ventilated room.
Why, strong as / am now / know !
would be a wretched invalid in q years
time II lived as Emma does. Women
have only themselves TO blame for
fabby muscles and bad compilations.
What lecture, Lou. You ought
to 60 on the platform as an exponent
OF physical culture for women"
''rd do we'll, know; but / won't
lecture any more now; I'll tell you
about the dresses worn at Mrs.
Shayne's high tea last Thursday"
From dress they wandered into dis
oussion OF a recent biography of a
noted man, and then talked Of church
affairs; but 1t was OF Louis little lecture
only that Stacy thought after her friend
had taken her departure and left her
alone again.
II wonder why women seem opposed
to strengthening their muscles" she
soliloquized; but perhaps, 1t Is only
because they don't understand the i'm
portance OF it, and them" She
started, paled suddenly, and then grew
rosy-red. A su dden idea had taken
possession OF her brain--an idea that
plunged her into state OF great men,