Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-07-09
Janet's Foi tune.

lOuT lOTIuHt, bTdHuuih! w nal
will it be ? That old basket, with its
horrid yarn and needles, and the
never ending knitting work. If so,
you need not leave it with me. Janet
will use il to far better advantage
than l could"
Eyes, Lettie, you are right; and l
am sure | don't want it either. HIM,
what fortune to be sure!'
"Tll accept it, grandma, and prize
it, if you will but add your sweet, con-
tented disposition. 1t would be a
fortune which none of us need despise. +"
Janet Leeds was the youngest Of
the family and the plainest. She had
a sweet, fresh face, and tender eyes
but these paled into ugliness before
Lettie's black orbs and shining curls,
and the blond loneliness of belle Mar
garet. So she settled back in the
chimney corner, and waited on grand
ma, or assisted the maid in the house.
work.
Once in while she ventured out
to party in the village, but so sell
dom that people never observed her.
That made it unpleasant, and she
staid at home still closer
But on that morning, while they
sat chatting with grandma, she felt a
deal of discomfort, for the first time
in months.
Clara Bosworth, her bosom friend,
was to give party that evening, and
for weeks preparations for the event
had been going on in their quiet fam
lily. She had given up the money
saved for new cloak, that Lettie's
green silk might be retrimmed for
the occasion, and the best dress she
had in the world was a plain garnet
colored poplin with black velvet trim.
mings.
She had family suggested that she
might wear that, but the cry of dis
may from her sisters silenced her.
GO, and wear that old poplin p'
cried Lettie, from the clouds of white
billowy lace that was TO adorn the
green silk. "You must be crazy !"
81 should think So" chimed Mar
garet, who was fitting lace bertha
over the waist of the delicate lilac
satin. DO you want Austin Bos-
worth to think us family of paupers?
1t is to be a grand affair, and Clara
expects all who honor it with their
presence to pay her respect enough
to dress respectfully. 1t is Austin's
first appearance after his European
tour, and surely you do not want him
to think meanly of US"
The tears came up, but Janet was
brave, and no one saw them.
1t had been decided that Janet was
not presentable, and should not 90,
and that night, when the two girls
the one in her dark beauty and
wonderfully becoming array, the other
all delicacy, her fair, pearl loveliness
enhanced by the pale purple color of
her splendid dress-came laughing
into grandma's room, a little shadow
darkened her face, and she found it
very hard to keep back the tears.
"Fine feathers make fine birds, but
fine birds do not always sing the
sweetest, JAMIE" said grandma, after
they were gone. 81 know who is the
true one in this family. l know my
little singing bird, jamie, and she is
dearer than dozen fine ladies. Aus
tin and Clara will come tomorrow,
and he will tell us about his travels
in foreign lands, apd you will be far
happier than you would be up at the
house to- night, with dancing and con-
fusion"
IL suppose so, grandma !" and
Janet took her seat by the fire and
went on knitting with peaceful face.
The elder sisters came home with
crumpled plumage, but in high spirits.
Austin Bosworth had returned
home a handsome, polished gentleman
and had firted desperately with Let
tie.
"Why, grandma, he almost propos-
ed to her !" laughed Margaret, who
was engaged to Judge Leonard's
hopeful son, and therefore no place
for jealousy. More than one of the
company predicted that il would be
match"
Don't count your chickens before
they are hatched,' called grandma
from her pillow. "Mr. Austin Bos-
worth is no fool, ] can tell you
"Wbat an old croaker !"
They were entering their chamber
across the hall, but grandmother's
ears were not dulled with age, and
clearly heard them. Don't mind
them, grandma" whispered Janet,
who had waited to help them lay
away their fnery.
"Mind them ! Do you think
shall, Janet Leeds p
Next day Austin Boswortb came.
TT q