Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-07-02

~ ~ao WItSh shSaA Aoiiihb
straight in love with each other.
declare. 1t seems a special Providence !"
Mrs. Andrew assisted fate, that
summer, and gave the young people
unlimited opportunity of being to-
getber. The few days of Bessie's
visit heightened into weeks, and still
Mrs. Andrew insisted that they could
not spare her lust yet"
THAT is wonderfully pretty gown
you are wearing" said Fred to the
visitor, one evening, as the two linger-
ed in the garden.
II had an odd experience with this"
she answered, smoothing the dainty
bows which adorned her. 81 purchas-
ed the loveliest ribbon for it when l
was in New York-Charles-the- Tenth
pink-such lovely shade. But,
when | came away, carelessly left
an end hanging from my trunk, and
some wretch drew it out for, when |
reached Newhurgh it was gone. l
was SO provoked-it was such con-
temptable thing to do, and had set
my heart on having just that shade
of ribbon for my dress. | tried to
match it in Newburgh, but they had
sold the last that very morning-to a
young man, the girl said. What
could man want with Charles-the-
Tenth pink ribbon ?"
"But what is this color" asked
Fred, drawing nearer and lingering
the ribbon that ffuttered down the
Aeecy skirt. "This is Chares-the-
Tenth pink--isn't it! Or is it
James-the-First or Henry-the-Eight?"
This is Charles-the-Tenth," Bessie
replied. But now comes the strang.
est part of the story: When Mrs.
Andrew and ] came home, that after
noon, the servant said little boy had
left package for me. / couldn't
learn who sent it or anything about
it; but the package contained this
ribbon, the exact shade Of that which
was stolen, but heavier and richer
one than mine. | don't like to wear
this-for ] hate mystery-and | have
never forgiven the person who pulled
the other piece from my trunk,
Not even though he replaced it ?"
asked Fred anxiously.
mo. indeed - returned Bessie, en-.
ergetically.
What business has any man with
my ribbon, I'd like to know
Fred Emory had listened to the
narrative in half.ashamed and half
amused fashion. But now he felt
wholly guilty.
"Miss Bessie he said, 81 owe you
an explanation and an apology. I
am the wretch who took your ribbou.'
"You p exclaimed Bessie, Shrek
ing away from him in startled wonder.
please don't condemn me until you
know the circumstances" And Fred
explained how he had drawn out the
ribbon halfunconsciously.
"Iou were not to blame for that of
course" replied the young lady.
But why have you not returned it to
me, all these weeksr'
81 didn't like to give it up" Fred
answered, drawing nearer, because it
was yours, Bessie" letting his voice
linger carelessly over the name; "and
so sent you the other"
But now III take mine, if you
please" said Bessie, laughing, land
return yours"
Fred TOOK from his pocket the rib
bon, carefully folded in ue.paper.
cts all here,' he said teasingly, un.
rolling it in the moonlight. "Must l
give it back, dear? ?" he asked, look
ing fondly at the pretty face, which
quick bushes were tinting with rose.
"Then give me yourself, sweetheart
And Fred threw the shining ribbon
around Bessie anG drew her nearer.
Tenderly he took her in his arms, and,
as he wound the silken folds of ribbon
about them both, he whispered
"You may have your Charles-thc
Tenth, but must take Fredrick-the-
First with it."