The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1858-06-11

anticipated my wishes, and In every into
nation of his voice as he addressed me.
"But another suitor came. Allen
Greame had never asked my love, and |
never promised in so many words to be
his bride, but for many months he had
believed me all his own, and when your
father visited the cottage, his eyes sought
my face with kind of questioning sad
ness. Time passed on, and seven weeks
beheld me Percy Stuart betrothed. Look
ing back, | cannot see by what clrcum-
stance this change was brought about. |
worshipped Allen Greame as madly as
ever His smile was the sunshine OF my
existence. Your father loved me, or at
least he idolized my beauty, and he was a
noble, generous man. Still his presence
had no power to awaken a single heart
thrill. But he was rich and noble born.
| coveted the proud rank Of his wealth.
the stately mansion and the old name, 1t
was a long struggle between love and am
bition, but at last ! laid my hand in his.
Scorn me, Hanna, hate me, / dc eryc it.
/ sinned wilfully, knew l did not love
.him---,he heart and soul were long yield
ed up in alteration to another----and yet |
became his bride.
Allen never reproached me, but the
stony hopeless sorrow in his blue eyes was
more bitter than the most terrible words.
His mother was kind as ever, but could
see the hot tears fall upon the bridal gar
ments she was making. And I--Oh,
Hanna, L shudder, looking back through
ali these years, at the bare thought of my
silent agony l believe that l was more
beautiful than ever. My eyes were wildly
bright, and my checks flushed like wine
an hundred years old mantling over sill
yer goblet My bridegroom liked the i'm
pressive coldneSs Of my manners. | do
not think that he ever dreamed that | did
not love him, and my Stateliness accorded
we'll with the lofty pride of himself and
all his naughty family.
81 married him. The ceremony was
over and he turned to kiss his wife for the
first time, when Shrek ran through the
church----a piercing, terrible shriek.-
Then there was heavy fall. Allen was
borne scnseless. My husband might have
susyee ed when he saw my anguish, that
he was more than brother l called
him, but he said nothing. He even acce-
dcd to my wild prayer that our bridal
Journey might be postponed until he was
better, and permitted me to be constant
watcher at his bedside. My beloved had
broken a blood vessel in his fall, and the
fourth day he died. l held his hand as
he faded gently.
"Katrine,' he said, looking mournfully
into my eyes, " Katrine, it is very sweet
to die thus with you beside me. am
diving of your love | shall be happy,
dearest, for an angel whispers you will be
mine in Heaven. You have never said
you loved me, but | know it. | know
that my dying love is more to you than
all this bright living world, and | am
where no shadows fall. Kiss me, katrine
and then sing me that dear old song"
81 had kissed him many times before
as q sister might-the free innocent kisses
of childhood but then drawing his head
to my bosom, sang. 1t was a ballad we
had sung many times together, when the
stars were climbing up into the quiet
sky. Aud | sang it now to the soul
which was soon to climb above the stars,
above the sky, even to the foot of the
great white throne lie looked at me
with floods of light swelling into his large
blue eyes. Every moment he grew more
beautiful, till was frightened with his
unuttcrable glory. ceased, and his low
voice whispered" Katrine-IIeaven."
The lids closed over those earnest eyes,
peaceful as child lays down to dream,
and the golden head grew cold upon my
bosom. | was alone with my dead!'
+" Ny mother paused and clasp me to
her heart, then releasing me she continu-
ed
i" Hanna, | knew in those early days
your father loved me as he could love
not with the worship of the dead, but he
was proud of me and tried to make me
happy. He suffered much. The wife
who rested on his bosom, slept in her
dreams upon another's heart mixed with
grave mould When he clasped his arms
around me, ever between their folds and
my slender waist, where those cold arms
of the dead. pited him, but my very
soul was sick unto death, | could not
feign the love which my heart could never
feel.
4" 1t was two years, Hanna before you
was born. lie bad learned of late to seek
happiness otherwise | did not trouble
myself To inouira after the nature Of his
pursuits; l was grateful to be left alone.
When you was put into my arms, l rained
tears of blessings over you, thanking God
that my heart could love- KS | lay there
in silence, with my eyes shut, holding you
on my heart, heard my husband say
4" Perhaps this child will win her love
for me. God grant it; we may be hap
pier"
&" 1t was vain hope, Hanna; l was
colder to him than ever We both loved you
] would hold you. would hold you il
] my arms hour nftnr hnnr ravinr over ths