Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-06-13

ihS' iia'o you SoI al VIC loBSciy
you want? Because | don't take
ladies out with me unless they are
unexceptionally well-dressed. Take
this-tossing me a new, crisp, one
hundred dollar note-"and buy ev-
erything necessary"
There was a big bunch in my
throat as | awkwardly stammered
out sort of acknowledgment; but,
at last, twisting the pretty bill in
my nervous fingers, | found words
to say:
81 need not spend it all for my
self, uncle John, because / can pur-
chase all that is necessary, and still
have enough left to pay for Bessie's
music lessons, and get Frank some
winter clothes"
"How many dollars, you little
simpleton, do you suppose you can
squeeze out of that paltry bill? l
will look out for Franks winter
clothes and Bessie's music; so, just
look your prettiest, and don't cry
about it either" as tell-tale tears
would overflow my eyes. "We will
have many good time together,
Belle; and remember one thing, my
darling-money don't bring real
genuine comfort. Oh, heaven how
sad it is to have no one the happier
for my coming-no one to care for
me-" and the poor fellow walked
to the window to hide his emotion.
Well did | know of whom he was
thinking.
IL will love you so much, if
you will only let me"
Let you, saucy baggage!-try it,
and see."
Indeed, | will, uncle; and now
come for me early this evening"" as
he prepared to go. "You and l
have a call to make on our way to
the opera, that really cannot post
pone."
1t did not take me long to finish
sweeping and dusting, or to find all
the articles necessary for tasteful
opera toilet. 1t seemed like old
times to have mother suggesting
and arranging, to have her dear
little fingers huttering about my
hair and delicate trimmings; and |
knew it made her happy to see the
old light of pleasant anticipation
irradiate my face. Uncle John
came early, as he had promised; /;
and, as we entered the carriage, he
said:
"Now tell the coachman where
you wish to stop"
| did so, and we drove on.
Il will wait here, Belle" as | pre-
pared to alight. Nov, don't be
long," looking at his watch. 81
never liked waiting"
You must come in, uncle; /
want to introduce you to an old
friend of mine, whom dearly love.
Come; | will not be denied"
"Oh, you saucy, willful baggage;
Of course you'll have your own way"
he said, and followed me up the
steps.
We were conducted to the parlor,
and, in a moment after, Annie en-
tered. Her eye, like a flash, glanced
from me to uncle John, who, the
very picture of wonderment, drew
back a step or two, and waited for
some one to speak. For an instant
| allowed myself to enjoy their dis
com6ture.
"Why, my dear Annie, this is my
uncle JOHN, just arrived from India;
! thought you were acquainted?"
81 am very happy to see you, Mr..
Moffatt," said Annie, woman. like,
first recovering her equilibrium.
"What the deuce, Belle Moffatt,
did you cut up this caper for? On
purpose, | suppose, to make your
poor old uncle still more wretched," !"
and the lines around his mouth
grew less hard, while he nervously
rested himself against the back of a
chair.
"Read this, uncle" said /, pro-
ducing the note.
"What, in the name Of heaven,
does this meanv' advancing to