Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-05-27

to herself II certainly can't turn
her out of doors though I'm sure l
don't know what Harry will say. after
all those disagreeable things / said
about his mother"
But Harry Garland was too much
of n gentleman not to behave like a
Sir Launcelet under any circum-
stances. He welcomed Mrs. Percy
with genuine hospitality, and did not
even notice sophia's appealing glances
when the old lady incidentally let fall
the information that, since she liked
the situation of Cloverdale Cottage so
well, she should, perhaps, remain
there all summer, "just to keep Sophia
company, you know"
"It is so good of Harry not to fling
back my own silly words into my
face" she thought, with a thrill of
gratitude.
But at the end Of week Mrs. Per-
egrine Percy sickened.
II hope it is not going to be any
thing serious" said she. Sickness
does age person so. I never had
any wrinkles, you know, dear. before
the last attack of neuralgia"
But when it transpired that Mrs,
Percy's ailment was the severe and
contagious form of disease known as
the "typhus fever" there was gene
raj commotion at Cloverdale Cottage.
The servants gave warning I; the neigh
bors kept away; and poor Sophia
was weary, worn out with nursing and
fatigue, when one day gentle little
woman in black presented herself
"She will see you, ma'am," said the
little charity GIRL" who alone could
be induced to cross the infected thresh-
old, and who loudly declared that
Eat the asylum she had had every
thing and wasn't afraid of nothing p
II told her to 20 away, but it was
no good
Sophia, pale and haggard, crept
down into the darkoned drawing
room
81 don't know who you are" said
she. cor what your business is, but you
had better 60 away. There is terrible
sickness here"
81 know it, answered mild voice,
sand that is the very reason that /
am here. / am Harry's mother,
darling. ! have come to help you"
So, like a ministcring angel. the
"mother-in.law" came into the house,
just as Sophia herself succumbed to
the fell disease.
No sooner did Mrs. Peregrine Percy
recover than she packed her trunks.
and made off for Scarboro's as fast as
possible.
zone always needs change after ill
ness" she said, "and the atmosphere
of sickroom always was most de-
pressing for me. I dare say that the
good Mrs. Garland will do all that il
necessary for dear Sophia; and I
have my own welfare to think of"
Sophia, just able to sit up in
pillowed arm chair, Der cheeks hollow
ed by illness, her large eyes shining
from deep, purple circles, looked after
the departing carriage, and then lift
ed her glance to the tender nurse who
sat beside her.
Mother she said wistfully. "you
will not leave mef"
"Not unless you send me away, So
phia," said Mrs Garland, tenderly.
"And that will be never" said So
phie, closing her eyes with relief.
"How good you have been to me |!
Without you / should surley have
died."
And even in her slumber she could |
not rest peacefully unless she held
Mrs. Garland's hand in hers.
That evening, when Harry came
home, she opened her heart to him.
Harry" she said, "can you ever
forgive me?"
Forgive you, dearestf"
"For what / said about our dear,
dear mother" fervently uttered So
phia. "She is precious beyond ex-
preston to me now. She has saved
my life by her courage and devotion.