The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-07-21

ly the gate swung open, and Mrs.
Campbell and her two daughters came
up the drive to the house, escorted by
the gentleman at whose house they had
| been visiting. Jacks heart gave a big
bound as he caught sight OF her trim
| figure, and heard her musical laugh
and he found himself grinding his
teeth at the mere presence of gentle
man in her company. The latter,
however, left the ladies Immediately,
who joined him and his friend on the
piazza.
1t was a brilliant moonlight night,
and the silvery light made the lake
seem lovelier than ever; some mad I'M
pulse induced Jack, who had already
taken possession of Maggie, to propose
row on the water; and, as there were
no objections made, Mrs. Campbell re-
firing into the house, after charging
them to be careful, they started for the
boats. The girls were in high glee,
and, when Jack proposed that they
should 90 in separate boats and have q
race, they willingly consented so Jack
took Maggie in one boat, while Tom
and her sister entered another and
they pulled from shore TO a stake which
was a racing point, and then the two
young men bent to their oars with a
will. They were about evenly matched,
though Tom, being the taller, had the
| longer reach.
The usual racing distance was q mile,
marked by buoy floating on the water,
and both struggled hard for the victory.
! ha, Il
came off conqueror; but this night he
gradually fell behind, and, when about
two-thirds of the distance had been
passed, the other boat then leading him
about three lengths, he stoppen pulling,
unshipped his oars, and, folding his
arms, sat in silence, while Toms ironical
cheer sounded in the distance.
Maggie Campbell sat in the stern of
the boat rather surprised at Jacks UNI
usual faSco; and, as he did not speak,
said, in her low, musical voice:
"What is the matter, Mr.. Savage ?
Are you not well p
Jack did not move for moment /;
then he arose, stepped into the stern
Of the boat, and seated himself beside
her.
They had drifted in-shore-the other
boat was out of sight-and, as Jack
came so near her. Maggie felt curious
sensation in her left side and q sort of
swelling in her throat, while she Won
dered why Jack acted so strangely, and
what he was going to do next. He did
not leave her long in doubt as TO that
for, passing his arm around her waist
"a liberty he had never before ventur-
ed to take--he said, very quietly, but
very passionately
Maggie, we are going to part pretty
soon, and may not have another OPP
portnnity to tell you what is in my
heart tonight, and has been there these
many happy hours that we have passed
together | want to tell you that
love you, Maggie, better than any one
have ever seen, and to ask you if ! may
not hope that | have gained little of
your love, too. | am sure | need you-
OH ever so much-and shall want you
to be my wife, if you will-not now, if
you don't like, but whenever you can
feel willing to come to me, and let me
take you all to myself-God permit
ting-a happy home for both of us.
Maggie's face had been bowling lower
and lower, and now it was entirely con-
cealed in her hands; and when Jack
ceased speaking. he found she was
sobbing, while the little hand which
he clasped in his, and tried to draw
away that he might look into her face
and read his destiny, was moistened
with her tears.
For moment he spoke not then he
said:
Maggie, dear. have l offended you l.?
Don't cry And if | have, | promise
never to speak of this again, but to shut
my hopes and wishes up in my own
heart and make no sign
You see Jack was lawyer, and knew
how to plead his case, and this time he
got his verdict.
Dropping her hands, she turned her
sweet face, wet with tears, toward him,
and said:
@ am not offended. but it was so
sudden here she laid her hand softly
upon his" but, if you will have a
faulty and imperfect girl whom you
have made to love you, | will be your
wife whenever you wish and mamma
consents"
The next instant Maggie's face was
slowed away somewhere under Jack s
coat and then a series of curious noises
were heard, after which Jack jumped
frantically back to his seat, took his
oars, and at once began to propel his
boat with the most incredible swiftness
down the lake, Maggie meanwhile ar
ranging her hair and collar, which had
somehow become slightly deranged, and
then sitting quietly, with a soft smile
on her face, watching Jacks marvellous
strength and dexterity in managing the
oars.
Presently they came upon the other
boat, with Tom and Susie sitting very
close together in the stern, and paying
little attention to anything but to each
other. Jack gave shout, and his
friend jumped back to his oars.
Z" say, Tom, said Savage, Ill pull
you back for ten dollars. | was only
playing off when we came out"
All right ~ sounded from the other
boat, and presently they were along.
side.
Then began race that was race.
| The two girls CLAIMED their hands apd