Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1892-06-29

organ. They missed Prircillas sweet
soprano To join them In singing. She
was having good cry thinking of Mi.
randa's dressing up to receive that
good-for-nothing fellow"
"Going 10 the picnic?" asked Silas
of his lady love.
81 think So" said Miranda, playing
nervously with the roses at her bodice.
Ephraim Brown wants me
70 go with him, and I've not quite
made up my mind yet" and she looked
up coquettishly into his face.
Ephraim Browni II the ground had
suddenly opened beneath his feet, Silas
could .not have been more astonished.
His face flushed, then grew suddenly
pale, as, thrusting his hands down
deep into his pockets, he exclaimed:
Look here, Mirandy, so long as you
and me's keeping company, I'll have
none of this nonsense; you'll go TO the
church picnic with me, do you under
stand2"
So saying, he started off emitting the
customary kiss.
Poor Miranda! She felt that she had
made dreadful mistake. What II
Silas should go away and leave her2
How Priscilla would laugh and Gall her
an old maid!
Never mind" she said, as she ar
ranged her back hair for the night.
III try something else. I'll tell him
that Aunt Chary has written for me to
come and live with her. He'll never
hear of my going so far. OF course It's
not true; it's a downright flb; but then
women folks have to do something to
bring tardy lovers to terms. and won't
be an old maid, so therer
With this she blew the candle out
and was soon safely tucked In bed,
dreaming that Silas and she were going
to the parsons, when, horrors! the
wagon broke down. After tying 1t up
as best they could, they started once
more on their journey only to meet
with second delay; for the horse stood
still, utterly refusing to go another
step, while the entire village laughed
and jeered.
How long they would have remained
thus she did not know, as the harsh
voice of Priscilla broke upon her slum-
bers.
"Do get up, Miranda she fairly
shrieked "Sit up half the night court
ing" she added, land lie abed the next
day.
The morning sun was streaming in
The little window Us she awoke, but
littlerefreshed after her nights rest, and
more determined than ever, after that
1. I,.st erin
to the point
Her lover called the following even.
ing; it took more than twinge Of
jealousy to frighten him off. Again
Miranda played the organ, while he sat
opposite in comfortable armchair.
with his head thrown back and long
legs outstretched, just as he had sat
and listened three evenings out OF the
week for ten long years. Priscilla had
condescended to come into the parlQr
and sing in high-pitched voice: "Oh
Be Joyful"
Miranda did not again refer to Eph-
riam Browns invitation. She simply
told her lover in a mattet-of-fact way
of her intention of making a home
with her aunt, happy in the thought
that the subdued light In the room
kindly hid from view her telltalo face,
for Miss Flint was not given to telling
untruths, and felt rather ashamed OF
this fall from virtue.
She listened with fluttering heart for
his response. Would he agree TO her
leaving him, after all these years of de.
votion?
"Now, Mirandy." he broke forth in
that nasal, drawing tone so familiar
to her, ''you amt goin' to leave me,
not II know 1t. wouldn't believe IL
until / saw you goin' bag and baggage.
Just wait till you and me gifts married
afore you talk Of goin' to Turin parts"
So saying, he crossed one long, lank
limb over the other and remarked dry.
ly;
Lets have little music, and Miriam.
dy, If you don't mind, give us u verse
of the Sweet By-and'By,' nllus find
IL kind of soothin'."
She sang in q trembling voice that
sweet old hymn, and then found silas,
hat in hand, ready to depart
mo nearer the point than ever" she
sobbed, AZ the last echo of his foot
steps died upon her ears. We'll.
must do something desperate. / love
Silas and think he loves me just lit.
tie; although Priscilla says he doesn't
give the snap of his finger for me, but
I know that he does, or he would
never have riled up so at my going to
the picnic with Ephriam Brown. He
says" and she brushed the flaxen hair
Il l. ~xot "a
face, that he'll never believe, until he
sees my bag and baggage, that I'm 60
ing. Well, he shall see them" she
added, while determined look came
into the little woman's face.
Two weeks more rolled by 1t was
n sultry day in July as Silas Weeks
came strolling over the dusty country
road, great straw hat shading his
bronzed face, on which there was O
pleased and gratifed expression. lie
had sold yoke of oxen, thereby realiz.
ing Roodly sum. His thoughts turned
to Miranda.
"Ill buy her somethin stunnin'," he
said, half aloud; you've got to keep
these women folks in good humor"
An approaching vehicle interrupted
his meditation. Thinking IL a neigh
Dor to whom he might impart his good
fortune, he glanced up, when lol was
he dreaming? Before him, fully
equipped for long journey, he saw
his lady love. Yes, twas Mirandy,
sure enough, with determined look
upon her face, while piled up behind
her on the wagon were all her earthly
possessions, including household eff
fects and huge green parrot
why, Mirandyl' gasped the dunn
founded lover. where be you goin'3"
'GoingP' and Miranda Flint's eyes
flashed with Indignation. "Sllas
Weeks, I'm goin' TO leave these parts.
You and mes been keeping company
quite long enough. II you don't want