The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-12-22

on take the thlng TOO seriously,
he said, glancing about, and taking in
ventory, as it were, of the splendors
that surrounded him-all mine. SIN
fashionable life this thing is"
Don't talk to me sor' | cried !;
"don't dare to believe | can listen
calmly. You do not love me; why do
you pretend to?-false, perjured liar !
Because you coveted wealth That
bought you; and /, poor doting fool
~
was choked with the torrent of an
guish that flooded my soul. A dark
ness swept between me and the hand
some face that had been my bane. A
black gulf seemed to open to receive
me; / sank into it, and knew no more.
| opened my eyes on different
scene. sat at handsome breakfast
table, pouring out coffee for red haired
man who sat opposite me, absorbed in
the morning paper. had fat, pudgy
hands Il noticed, covered with rings,
and | wore gay cashmere wrapper
with scarlet cord and tassels. The dis
torted reflection of my face in the silver
showed very wide mouth, and small
grey eyes, and dusty auburn hair under
a Honiton cap. There were two empty
Sevres china cups waiting.
"Take the partridges back" | said to
the servant; "Miss Laura and Mr..
Charles will breakfast in their rooms
The ed-haired gentleman looked up
with an oath
Don't swear before the servants" l
said, its vulgar"
"What's the reason Laura and
Charles are never here to breakfast,
then-think of our havin' breakfast in
bed in our young day-this generation
are all goin' to perdition."
They were up so late last night"
said. "Rehect Mr.. Grosswell, if you
will have them mix with the aristocra-
cy."
Hang the aristocracy. | suppose, as
that Sinking walters out, there's no
sin in swearing. Ikn wv they re wearin'
out their young lives in round of dis
sipation. Look at Charles, he's as pale
as dish-cloth."
How inelegant," l said. "Charles
is distingue. l own 1 am worried about
his health
"I'll send the doctor round to-day.
IF he's unable to sit up to his breakfast,
he's in a bad way. Hollo hemp's riz,"
and he was soon buried in his paper
again.
How little appetite | had for that
dainty breakfast. The partridge, the
omelets of tempting golden brown, the
yellow mullins, the itch aromatic coffee,
in the costly cup Of Sevre-all was
tasteless to me. | had heart too
anxious and full to allow Of appetite,
| though | seemed to remem Der past
when bit of bread had been relished
with more pleasure than all these deli
cacies.
We had toiled, then, in those old
days, and spared, and eat little and
slept little for the children. We had
struggled up in the world. We had
educated them for higher places. For
tune had come at last, and how was it
with them. l went up to Laura's door
and knocked gently. She was never
in very pleasant temper after ball,
but it was very late. How she had
danced with that dissipated young
Wynkoop last night spite of my
frowns and hints. She has not the
slightest regard for my advice, consid,
ering me old-fashioned and unenlight-
ened All, mel
| | sighed as | knocked again. Then
turning the knob, found to my surprise
that the door was not fastened. She
must have gone down then. | went in.
A pretty little nest it was, in white
and silver, with blue silk curtains
Laura was blonde, and she had chosen
| ha oh 30,
for the curtains were down: but in a
momen | saw plainly that the bed was
freshly made, the great rutfled pillows
were in their places-or, great pang
smote me like blow-Laura had not
slept there the past night!
looked around feeling a deadly
faintness come over me, and chung to
one of the chairs for support. There
lay her ball-dress yet, the flowers and
ribbons, but the jewels were gone.
rang for the MAZDA Sinking French
thing, of whom | was half afraid. Twas
sure when | looked in her face she
knew all. felt too that she would tel
me nothing.
"Where is Miss Laura ?' | cried in an
agitated voice.
Florine looked around with feigneo
surprise.
-" Mon Dieu is she not here; then in
the garden perhaps?'
forgot my fear. You hussy ~
cried, tell me what you know you
must know something"
Madam forgets herself" she an
swered, drawing herselfup with dignity
"What am ! to tell p
"You know, very well, my daughter
is not here. Where is she,?" Florint
was looking about. and now pretended
20 discover note on the dressing
table.
This can tell you BETTER" she said
handing it to me.
tore it open with trembling hands
Yes, it was in Laura's writing.
"DEAR MoTHER-When you reaC
this / shall be far away with one | Low,
better than life. | know your preju
dices, but you will get over them fo
my sake. Harry says, when it's all fixeC
beyond altering, papa will be sure anc
come round. He is devoted to me, anc
,o,, ,>,,,o& fo,-.,,o l. - i 49, II. -.