Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-04-30
FROU.FROU.

When Robert Moore walked into
the parlor of Senator Dunean's house,
a pretty petite figure, clad in blue
velvet, emerged from one corner of a
sofa. simultaneously, a dumpy bum
die of long curly white hair, the pet
poodle of pretty Beatrice Aldrich, and
our hero's particular aversion, flew at
him with a salute of short swapping
banks.
"Frou- Frou p cried Miss Trix,
reproachfully. "Come here, you
naughty doggy! Don't mind her,
Robert. She won't bite"
Nevertheless, Frou-Frou had caught
hold Of the leg of Roberts trousers,
and was worrying her sharp little teeth
through the cloth. Robert shook her
off with smothered exclamation Of
disgust. He hated poodles, and this
one in particular. Frou-Frou. being
flung off with considerable force, fell
against the piano-leg, and forthwith
set up howl.
81 wish you wouldn't be SO rough
with her, Robert" said Trix. gather
ing up her pet and cuddling it fondly.
poor little Frou, Frou It was an
abused doggy, so it was, and Trix won't
let them knock it around SO !"
II don't see why you always keep
that little beast around you, Trix,"
said Robert, savagely.
II keep it because | want to"
"If it were only good for something
besides swapping at ones heels, l
wouldn't mind. But it is such stu
pid ugly little brutel"
"Uglyf' echoed Trix, Indignantly.
81 don't see how you can say that
Frou-Frou is a very pretty dog.
Everybody says SO. But you never
did like her, Robert. ! suppose it is
not to be expected that you would
when Captain Ellis gave her to me y
This last was said with vindictive
little fling, that brought the color
flaming into Robert Moore's face.
"You know what | think about
your accepting presents from gentle
men, Beatrix," he said, shortly. But
never since we have been engaged,
this with angry emphasis, "have you
shown the slightest regard for what
think or say, in such matters"
"Well, said Trix, with rebellion,
pout, "you are always asking such
absurd things. You know wouldn't
give up Frou.Frou for anyone-no,
for anybody in the world I"
"Did ever ask YOU to give up
Frou-Frou ?"
well, you have been awfully dis
agreeable about the poor, dear darling
81 shall be very careful what | say
hereafter"
The tone in which be spoke mad,
Miss Trix look up quickly, and hel
sunny blue eyes clouded.
Don't look at me in that way, Rob
ert !" she cried. "You know | don,
like you to look like that
DO you think you really know
what you do want, Beatrix Z" be said
impatiently, as he walked up and down
the room.
Don't call me Beairix :" she ex-
claimed, bursting into tears. II hate
to be called Beatrix, and you-you'vt
called me that tw-twice."
Robert looked out of the window,
then at the little sobbing figure on the
sofa. She was hardly more than 9
child, and never, he sometimes thought
would be anything else yet how this
great strong man did love her He
could not bear to see her cry. 1t wa.
folly to quarrel with her anyhow. A
wave of tenderness swept over Robert,
heart, and obeyipg its warm impulse
he took Miss Trixy in his arms.
Don't cry, darlingw he said
brushing the curls awny from the
flushed face. DRY your eyes
There you're making them all red
and l have come to take you down tC
the flower-show. Run along and ge,
your hat on"
II took about fifteen minutes of al.
ternate kissing. petting, and cajolery
to drive away the clouds from Trix'.
face. But she tripped away smiling
at last. with Frou-Frou following her
At the end Of ten minutes more, sh,
came back in ajaunty blue velve
jacket and Tam O'Sbanter cap, carry
ing pretty feather muff and Mis-
! Frou.Frou.
Roberts face clouded instantly.
"Trix," he said, "you are not goinI
to take that-that dog with you ?"
"Why. of coarse always TAX
Frou Frou."
"Not when | am with you !"
"Why, Robert !" she exclaimed, il
grieved tone. II thought you sal,