Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-06-25

were waiting, already dressed. or
course, as Tom had two tickets, it
wasn't worth while to let Joe get one
for Kate so it fell out that Tom es-
corted his pretty cousin to the concert.
And, if in the fash of her sparkling
black eyes and brilliant wit, he forgot
for moment to think of Jessie, sitting
with the baby at home, there was no
one to blame except Jessie herself for
leaving her rightful place to be filled
by another.
Jessie was in bed when Tom got
home, and he would not disturb her.
But at breakfast next morning, he
told her that Cousin Kate had come,
and they had all gone to hear Kellogg
together, from Joe's house.
"As you are so busy" he said, "she
has consented to waive ceremony and
come over with Lii, to call to-day.
And we must invite her to spend part
of her visit with us, JESSIE" he con-
tinued. "If you can't spare time to
entertain her, why, l will, and we'll
make it as pleasant as we can"
"Ye-es," answered Jessie, not quite
fancying the idea of that gay dashing
girl for visitor, just now, when she
had so much care.
"You can invite her when she
comes to CALL" said Tom. "And
jess, dear, do please fix up little
won't you | like my wife to look
nice, you know"
"Wellw returned Jessie, slowey.
But she colored at his words, and felt
uneasy as she went up to the baby,
thinking that, as Miss Kate was Toms
own cousin, she could not very well
help inviting her there, yet wishing
she need not do it.
"Why can't folks stay at home, as l
do 7" she reflected. But, as Miss Kate
had neither husband nor baby to keep
her home, it was hardly to be expect
ed that she would refuse to 60 where
any amusement offered itself.
In the course of the day, Miss
Wilder called-pretty, charmingly
dressed. chatty and entertaining
laughing at Jessie for settling down
to be an old woman SO soon. From
her, Jessie learned that Tom had been
her escort to the concert, and that he
had invited her to take ride, that
afternoon.
81 told him he ought to take you"
said Miss Kate, "but he said you
wouldn't Co."
Somehow Jessie's usual 81 can't
leave the baby" stopped on her
tongue, and she only said : 81 couldn't
to-day. Some other time will"
well, you mustn't give me too
good a chance, or | will cut you out, "
said Kate, jestingly.
mo DANGER" returned Jessie.
Then she gave the invitation Tom
had suggested, and Kate consented to
pass a week with them. Jessie would
not ask her to stay to dinner that day
But, after she was gone, ashamed OF
the old wrapper and untidy hair with
which her visitor had caught her
she had not yet dressed as Tom asked
her to-and fretted with an uneasiness
which she would not own to herself,
Jessie sat down in the parlor and took
good cry.
1t CHANGED that dear old Aunt
Hannah Boltow dropped in, just then,
and found Jessie crying. And, in a
few minutes, Aunt Hannah had coax
ed her to tell the cause.
"Well, my DEAR" said Aunt Han
nah, gently, "thee mustn't be vexed,"
she was Friend, and used Quaker
language, "if / tell thee, | think thee
is to blame, thyself. 1t is good to
take care of thy baby, but thee
shouldn't let him make thee forget
his father"
lob, Aunty, | haven't forgotten
Tom ?" sobbed Jessie.
"Well, dear, I'll only drop the a
word of counsel. Catharine Wilder
is coquette, and Tom was favorite
of hers once. If | were thee, | would
try to be as attractive as she; and,
trust me, Tom will not be in any
danger then"
mo, he shall not be :" cried Jessie.
II have been to blame, auhty see
it now. But I'll be SO no longer; |
/ have had my lesson
1--WE all of us must have our les
sons. Only let us profit by them"
said Aunt Hannah, very gently.
When she was gone, Jessie ran up
to the nursery, with flushed face,
and took Willie up from his nap.
mo, she will not have my husbands
heart" said the poor child, firmly.
81 know her for the very worst of
hirts. Who can tell what she may
take fancy to do nowi And | was
giving her chance to work her
spells over me. But I'll do it no
more. And now, Mr.. Baby, you must