Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-03-07
An Odd Mistake.

"Oh, dear! she murmured, at
last, "what terrible thing it is to
have an old maid aunt! Here am l,
twenty years old, loving splendid
fellow, and, forsooth, may not en-
Joy his society because my fathers
sister, just double my age, considers
him her special captive"
MAY! May'' in tones intended
to be dulcet, from the outside Of
the chamber-door, "where are you?''
Here. aunt Arabella-come in,
and, obedient to the summons, her
relative entered.
"Oh, heavens! May, | am so agi-
tated and-but what is the mat
ter?" as May, after various attempts
at concealment, burst into a laugh.
Nothing in particular, auntie;
but why are you so dressed this
morning?"
WELL" exclaimed the tawny-
skinned, high-featured lady. You
looked so we'll in your new pink
muslin, that l decided to have one
exactly like it. Do you think it be-
coming?"
Poor May was almost in hyster-
les; but controlling herself with
great difficulty, she evaded the ques-
ton by asking: but why have
you put it on so early?"
"Oh, dear, I'll tell you. Harry
requested private interview at ten
to-day. Of course there is but one
thing he could wish to speak pri-
vately about. But what in the
world ails youP Child, you act
perfectly ridiculous!' and with a
scornful toss, the youthfully attired
spinster swept from the room.
"What could induce Harry Cor
don to request private interview
with my ridiculous relative?.' fruit
lessly wondered May, once more
alone. He must by this time have
discovered what a terrific, amount
of self-esteem she possesses, and
know that such a request she would
be liable to misconstrue. There's
the bell! and I'm no prophet if my
revered aunt does not come up dis
But no! half an hour after the
elder Miss Thurston appeared, more
radiant than before.
"Well, May, l have done it,"
with a complacent sigh, far more
expressive than words.
Done what, aunt Arabella?"
why, promised to marry Mr..
Gordon, of course. Dear me! /
half intended to refuse him; but
the poor fellow did plead so hard,
/ hadn't the heart"
do you mean to tell me-" in
quired May, almost fercely, "that
Harry Gordon asked you to become
his wife?"
"Yes! that's it exactly. AS he
said, we haven't been acquainted
very long; but oh, pshaw! l can't
begin to repeat the beautifulspeeches
he made; and then he kissed my
hand with such grace, when l at
last managed to relieve his anxiety.
Oh! how Istammered. Why, May,
l never felt so foolishly before in
my life"
mo, l don't believe you ever
did"
"And then he was 80 thoroughly
honorable, referred me to numerous
parties who would testify to his
business position. He wishes to be
married soon. Now, see if this
sn'tthoughtful in him, May; know
ing that you have been like my
daugh sister, mean--and fearful
that perhaps you wouldn't fancy the
advent of a stranger into our little
family, he sent these buds, wishing
them, if you did not disapprove of
the arrangement, to appear in your
hair tonight, when he is coming
to spend the evening. 1t isn't every
one would care for young chit
like you"
May did not answer. She was
busy at the other end of the cham
Der, and with a satisfied glance at
her own yellow visage, the lady left,
to ruminate alone on her blissful
condition.
Contemplate fellow" indlg-
nantly murmured May. as the door
closed. "What does he care for
that self-sufficient fossilp Nothing!
He knows she is rich, and desires
her money. Oh, pshaw! what a
fool ] am!' Indignantly dashing
away two or three pearly drops.
He never told me he loved me,
although any sensible girl might
have imagined so from his behavior.
However, I'll wear the rosebuds.
II is.-u ..~I., CO.. NM halnvod