The true northerner., 1872-01-19

lHliR lIldb \
in secret drawer of a desk that had
belonged to some great great -grandfa-
ther of mine, but handsome enough for
all that. put it on her finger, and
told her how it has been in our family
a hundred years for all knew, but that
she was the first who'd ever worn it.
Oh, how sweet and lovely she looked as
she put her hands in mine, and prom
ised me that as long as she lived she
would remain true to the giver of that
ring And yet, even as she spoke the
words, it seemed to me she shuddered
convulsively and turned pale; and at
the same moment felt sudden chill
and horror at my own heart. But we
both shook it off, whatever it was, and
parted as usual, except that when
kissed her | could not be sure whether
had really touched her lips or not"
| must say, Browne" remarked l.,
for my nervousness was beginning to
pass of, and | felt sleepy and in no de-
gree inclined to listen TO a lovers rhap-
sodies, 81 don't see any thing in all this
to warrant you in"
| did not finish my protest | was
too much engaged in watching Browne
fill and drain another glass of my port.
| resolved not to interrupt him again.
When | called the next evening""
continued he, noticed a change in
her at once. l know not how to de
scribe it. 1t was not so much that she
was cold to me, as that she seemed
chilled herself. Her affections, her
emotions, appeared in a manner par
alyzed. She seemed to elude my grasp,
so to speak; / couldn't reach her; felt
as if some nameless, impalpable, but
insurmountable barrier had grown up
between us since the day before. And
several times | turned around, under
the impression that somebody else was
in the room. Her eyes wore kind Of
sad, hopeless, distant expression, as if
she felt that some one or something
were taking her away from me. Yet
still she wore the ring on which she had
sworn to be true to the giver; but | saw
her look at it once, and it may have
been my fancy, but ! thought she shiv-
cred, and grew even paler than before"
Nothing but headache on her
part, and indigestion on yours, depend
upon it," growled |, forgetting my reso-
luton. But Browne didn't take any
wine this time. He only sighed heavily
and shook his head.
"The next day-yesterday," he went
on, ~ resolved to call early, take her
out to walk, and trust to open air and
exercise to set everything right; for |
could not, would not, believe that my
impressions of the day before had been
anything but u morbid fancy. felt
quite reinspirited, and walked rapidly
along up Fifth avenue toward her house.
She lives, you know, corner of the ave.
nue. and Fifty-frst street. | had reach
ed Forty-second street, when caught
sight Of her about block ahead of me,
and walking slowly in the same direc-
ton. She walked as if her life were
ebbing away from her at every step;
there was an indescribable droop and
langour about her, so different from her
usual springy step, and bright, cheerful
manner. But | hardly more than no
ticed her; for, walking by her side, APP
parently talking to her, | saw, as plain
ly as | now see you," said Browne, rails
ing himself to an upright position in
his chair, and looking fxedly at me, Il
saw-Itr'
WItr Why, what on earth do you
mean, Browne ?" cried |, feeling cold
chills run down my back and creep into
the calves of my legs.
The stout, burly figure of man,
with a high-crowned, broad. brimmed
hat, and masses of rusty hair falling on
its shoulders. 1t was clad in cloak of
dusky gray, and wore knee-breeches
and stockings of the same color. 1t
stalked along the pavement in clumsy
high. heeled shoes, in a manner that
would have been ridiculous, had been
in any mood for laughing"
" should have felt in mood to kick
him into the street y declared |, va
liantly But there was something in
doubtful whether | would have done
so, after all. He continued, without
needing my interruption
" 1t struck me as especially strange
that, Notwithstanding the great pecu-
liarity of the figures dress, manner, and
general appearance, and though it was
broad daylight and the avenue well
filled, no one seemed to notice or even
see 1t. Even Miss Hammill fancied,
did not realize its presence, though she
was certainly in some way impressed by
1t. She never looked at or appeared
otherwise conscious of 1t than as hear
ing, or rather feeling, what 1t said. DC.
casionally she would vince or shrink,
as if its words were blows and stabs
and at such times the figure would APP
pear vastly amused, throwing back its
head, raising its hands, and comforting
its burly form, as if indulging in an i'm.
moderate fit of laughter.
"When | came up with Miss Ham
mill, was only conscious of a subtitle
influence in the air. | felt again that
mysterious chill of horror at my heart;
and though | was walking beside her,
and her arm was in mine, she seemed
immeasurable miles away"
Browne paused and drew deep
breath. As for me, felt the cold chills
worse than ever. | poured out a glass
of wine with trembling hand and drank
it hurriedly. 1t was really a very cold
night
"Under such circumstances" con.
tinued Browne, "it was not strange that
our greeting was quiet, almost formal.