Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-07-09

Oanie, my iittie pay ihato, wv
What happy meeting! Clara came
down, dressed for a call, and declared
she would come, but | told her no
| knew the amount of gallantry ]
should be compelled to use. and l pre-.
ferred that my visit should be like
the other Ones"
"You are right. We are better
pleased to have it so, are we not
Janet ?" said grandma.
The call heightened itself into two
hours, and during that time he told
pleasant stories and chartered like the
boy of bygone days, but not once did
Margaret or Lettie's name pass his
lips.
When he went away he met them
coming with disappointed faces from
the parlor, where they had been wait
ing for him; but he only lifted his
hat and walked out. Then grandma
and Janet received sound scolding,
such as only these two know how to
give, and the shadows of discomfort
fell on Janet's spirits.
All, that long cherries winter
What a tale Jane could have told
you of dissapointments. Many were
the parties and sleigh rides which
she reluctantly declined, partly be-
cause she could see that her sisters
did not want her company, and partly
because no one seemed to expect her
to 60 out. But her grandma always
had a word of comfort; for now that
Austin Bosworth had come, the way
was harder than before.
He came and escorted Lettie to
parties, and sometimes chatted with
grandma, but nothing more-she did
not catch the good-natured smiles he
gave her from the sleigh as he rode
away-and Lettie never told her how
often he asked for her. Alone with
grandma, Janet wished for better
things, and wondered why she was
so harshly dealt with.
AT last even the society of her aged
comforter was denied her, and in her
bed the old lady gradually faded
away. Day and night Janet sat be.
side her, with the knowledge that she
was beyond earthly waiting
upon her, and yielding to her childish
whims. playing household angel"
Margaret said.
Working for grandmas fortune of
old shoes and worsted stockings" Let
tie cruelty added.
Doing her duty by the faithful
woman who had taken the three
motherless children into her heart,
and filled the lost ones place so far
as God permitted" her own heart
said, and steadily she worked on.
The first of May brought invitations
to the last ball at the Bosworth house,
and while the two elder sisters laid
out the fnery, Janet folded her tiny
missive and hid it away next to her
heart as sacred bit of paper, bearing
Austin's firm, broad chirography.
That night grandma was very i'll,
and when Margaret and Lettie Autter-
ed in with their gay dresses, Janet
met them and almost forcibly put
them out of the room.
III beg you, girls, have little respect
for poor grandma-she is very i'll to-
night"
Nonsense Don't be a fool, jan
et- Anybody would think she was
dying"
81 believe she is.
The reply came in violent slam
Of the door, and Janet was left alone
with her patient.
The hours dragged YEARLY, and
overcome by her long sleepless watch
es, Janet's eyes closed in the soundest
slumber.
Two hours later she awakened with
a start, and in an instant she saw that
dread change visible in grandma's
face.
Like one in dream, she walked
to her fathers door and aroused him.
Father, grandma is worse. I be-
lieve she is dying. You must 90 to
DIR. Berne. You will find him at the
ball. Go quicklyw
She went back and sat there weari-
ly waiting for something-for a sound
a sigh from the dying woman but
none came. Slowly, but perceptibly,
the lines settled around the pleasant
mouth and the dark shadows crept
over the placid face, but no sound
issued from the pale lips.
Janet bent her head. There was
faint Hutter-no more, and she clasp.
ed her hands. Would grandma die
there before her eyes and never speak
4 word
She caught the cold hands in her
own and cried aloud:
Grandma speak to me speak to
your little Janet Don't you hear
me, grandma !"