Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-03-25
THE EMIGRANT's WIFE.


The little Episcopal church Of
Elloway, in one of the Southern
States, was gorgeous this Easter eve
with Its floral decorations. The girls
belonging to the congregation had
been at work from early morning, and
with vines and evergreens from the
adjacent forest, and a profusion Of
flowers from the gardens in town,
they had succeeded in turning their
pretty church into a bower of frag.
rance and beauty.
"Well, at last we've finished"
Clara Grant said, as she descended
the ladder after adjusting the notices
over the central arch. "and declare,
girls" with an admiring glance
around, IL don't believe the city
churches can make prettier show.
But we've worked for it; my stars,
how we have worked No one can
say we are not jealous in church
matters"
"Not in church decorations. GER
talnly," Alice Newton said with a
smile. She was a sweet-faced,
thoughtful-looking girl about eighteen.
"What between a desire to surpass
other churches and be complimented
on our own taste, besides our natural
love for pretty things, I think we are
making very creditable exhibition,
very creditable, indeed"
That's just like you, Alice"
Clara Grant grumbled you're al
ways taking wrong view of things.
Why do you attribute these decora-
tons to such mean motives Why
don't you 60 down to the hea 1T Of
them ?"
well, what is the heart Of all this 7"
with a sweep of her hand towards the
wreaths and crosses.
"You ought to be ashamed to pre-
tend ignorance" Clara cried wrath
fully; "you are in one of your per-
verse moods, and l declare you are
actually impious. The heart Of them,
indeed Isn't it Easter, and ought
we not to rejoice at the resurrection,
and show that we reioice?"
Certainly; I am the last to deny
that, but how bound our rejoicings by
church decorationsi Can a few
flowers and wreaths express fifty and
fully our great gladness y
Goodness knows what you want"
laughed Clara. when you mount
one of your crotchets and cauter off, l
don't pretend to keep up with you.
But don't forget to bring the lilies
tomorrow for the christening font.
We decided to have nothing but lilies
on it, you know, and you are the only
one who has any in bloom. You see
we have left the font untouched until
tomorrow, and you and / must be
here at least all hour before the.ser-
vices begin to arrange il"
"Very we'll. l shall have FIVE or
six sheaves of lovely white lilies in
bloom tomorrow, and some white
violets,-they will be quite as suitable
as the lilies for the font"
Easter morning dawned,-an ideal
Easter, go fresh and bright and beauti-
full it was!
Dressing in haste, Alice ran to the
garden and filled large basket with
white, golden hearted lilies, with the
dew still on their silken petals.
"You are in a great hurry" her
mother said, as she hastily rose from
the breakfast table.
Eyes, Clara and l have to de corate
the christening font before services
begin. You know it must be all
white, and there were no white flowers
brought in yesterday"
"You have lilies enough there to
make it beautiful" Mrs. Newton said.
Yes, think So" Alice said. bend
ing over the flowers lovingly. "Sure-
ly, lilies are the most suggestive
flowers that can be used in church
decorations, particularly for font.
They are as pure and sweet as the in
fants that are brought there to be
christened."
Alice walked leisurely towards the
church, knowing that she had ample
time for the work which lay before.
She paused to admire the landscape
moment, when her arm was gently
touched. Turning hastily, she saw a
little girl about twelve, with thin,
sallow face, but wonderful black eyes
that were fixed hungrily on the lilies
in the basket.
please. ma'am," the child said in
quick. excited tones, aren't those
beautiful flowers lilies 7"
"Why, yes,' she said, kindly hold
ing the basket that the child might
examine them "but where have you
come from, my child, that you have
not seen a lily p
mo. / never saw one BEFORE draw
ing in her breath in kind Of ecstatic
s,.h UMoshor he told M ~ rnuch