The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-11-08

all aglow with the roaring lire OF logs on
the hearth, and further Illuminated by
two ,allow candles in bright brass candle
sticks. Aunt Dalmayne had evidently
bestirred herself, for the table was spread
with hot biscuits, baked apples, custards,
and preserves, and the old lady herselt
hobbled forward OH crutch to welcome
her niece.
Why, my DEAR" cried Aunt Dal.
mayne. stepping back TO take n second
survey. "vou're as pretty as a picture y
Am II" said Clara, coloring ana
laughing. But, aunty, what glorl'
Gus fire you have got, and what darling
old urn, and how nice that tea does
smell " -.
"Sit down and have a cup, my dear"
said Aunt Dalmayne, highly tattered.
Before Clara Nottingham slept that
night she had taken Mrs. Dalmayne's
heart fairly by storm.
she had been an inmate Of the old
| fashioned farmhouse for about week,
| when one of those grand snow stoi ms
came on which vail the whole country
side in spotless white, and hang the
W DDS in royal robes OF ermine. Aunt
lmaynes rheumatism grew worse,
and she kept her room but Clara went
about as licht.hearted as ever, doing the
whole work of the house, with such as.
sistance as Moses, the handyman, was
able TO render her.
The snow had fallen all day, blown
into drifts by the vivid that howled
lugubriously through the cletts Of the
hills, and at last twilight deepened o7er
the stormy earth. Clara was sitting
thoughtlully before the freight, pairing
apples for pudding which was dear to
Aunt Dalmayne's invalid soul, when
Moses came in.
"Miss Clara" said he, there's two
gentlemen got storm. bound outside.
They've missed their way, their horses
are clean tired out, and they wanted
TO know if we'd give 'em q nights shell
ter. | told em Mrs. Dalmyane was i'll,
and ! wasn't master, Iut Ia ask the
young woman-Miss Clara"
Clara WINGED little, then laughed
outright at Moses unpublished ian
guage.
"Of course they may come in" she
said. IL would not turn even dog
from the door on such night as this.
She threw a fresh log on the fire and
lighted the candle as she spoke.
But what was her amazement, on
turning 10 welcome the strangers, to
behold in them no strangers at ALL but
Mr.. Harvey Gillette and his friend
Frank Hood.
Powdered literally with the snow,
their noses Redeemed by the wind, their
features rendered unnaturaliy rigid by
cold. they stood blankly regarding her;
but Clara came forward with the grace
of young duchess.
Good evening, gentlemen. Pray
come a little nearer the fire. | hardly
supposed that in the snow bound stran.
gers who sought shelter here, | was 10
welcome old aequaintances!"
''Oh, Miss MISUNDERSTANDING
glad to see you, m sure!' stammered
Mr.. Gillette, awkwa,dly allowing his
frog like hand to touch her own. but
what can you possibly be doing in such
place as this?'
"D.dn't Moses tell your" she asked,
demurey. I'm doing the housework
here
"Mss-W'ntlingham!'
"Well, why not?'
Mr.. Gillette had no reply ready; he
only rubbed his hands, smiled feebly.
and advanced towards the red blaze;
while Mr. Hood was exchanging in turn
his greeting with the former heiress.
at is a surprise, Miss Wintringham,
to see you here" he said frankly, "but
very agreeable one
Clara wondered in her own heart
i. -, 10. l.
away all of Frank Hoods awkward
ness.
at is as good as a tableau," she thought
gleefully, when Hood had explained to
her that unexpected business had taken
them across the country in the dead of
winter, thus bringing about so entirely
an unanticipated meeting, and she went
into the outer kitchen TO get cream for
the table. As she stood there skim.
ming Oft the golden accumulation which
followed her spoon in thick folds, she
heard Gillette's voice speaking.
"Of course the father has failed and
they've lost everything. A great pity;
for with thatiface she might have mar.
ried WELL
What is to prevent her marrying
we'll now?" Frank Hoods slow delib
crate tones answered.
"My dear fellow, we must all look
out for the main chance. In fact, was
once little smitten myself, but of
course it is quite cut OF the question
! now"
Mr.. Hood did not reply; and Clara, as
she stood there, with burning cheeks,
was glad that he did not.
But when she came back 10 preside
at the tea table she was as composed as
ever, save that her color was q trihe
deeper than usual.
The storm continued in undated VIC.
lence for two days, during which time
Mr.. Gillette yawned over the week-old
newspapers, smoked his cigar beside the
fire, and Systematically ignored Miss
Wintringham's presence.
"a fellow mustn't let himself get en-
tangled was his mental reflection.
Frank Hood, however, reasoned 9TH
erwise. He haunted Clara's footsteps
with lover-like persistency; he helped
clean the windows, wipe the dishes,
even essayed to sweep the floors, thereby
creating confusion. And Clara, though
she declared he was more of hindrance
than help, seemed TO like it.
a.. 4 IL = !