The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-04-11


didn't he come in ?"
"He was in hurry, my dear. l
spoke of you, and he remembered
you - could hardly speak for laugh
ing" in connection with Deacon Hide s
horse"
sob, my goodness yes, of course he
remembered that. Fox a moment
Blanche looked disconnected. The
soft flush mounted to her temples, and
she pulled her thread earnestly till 1t
broke.
"That was the one thing l didn't
care to have perpetuated in anybody
recollection" she said, in low voice.
81 never like to think of it nor of the
look he gave me that night. But it was
so ridiculous Old ratt!ebones in the
moonlight. whisking his decorations as
if delighted with having brought retri-
button upon my devoted head. l, with
that hideous straw hat dangling over
my shoulder, my curls flying, and every
body in the house at the window looking
at me. was in such a rage; and old
Grace, the cook, called mo little hea-
then. Annie, did you ever hear of the
old minister who was rebuked for levi
ty? He said he hoped he loved the
Lord he thought he did but he was
afraid that the funny part of his nature
had never been converted. That's my
case, exactly. What ridiculous time
it was and your uncle-well, no matter
what he said l haven't forgotten,
though perhaps he has However, it
settled me for a time, didn't it ?"
81 think You were somewhat more
settled after that, | said, laughing ut
her quaint portrayal but L have an
invitation for you, and from Uncle Dash,
| too"
Gan invitation o.
Z" Yes; you are to accompany me to
tho parsonage: Aunt Hannah is very
sick"
"And why am L asked there o.
"Why, Aunt Hannah needs me, and
I'm not going to leave you here.
q go to the parsonage Indeed |
will not; I'll stay and keep house by
myself"
" You shall do no such thing, that's
decided you must go with me I; L
always had my way with you, and I'm
not going to give up now; besides,
Uncle Dash babe me bring you, and |
have always obeyed him as if he were
my father"
I'D like to see myself obeyingl !" she
said, with spice of the old spirit its
no use, Anne won't go.
Her cheeks crimsoned, and she began
to sew as if her life depended upon the
work in hand. As for me, cuddled
down beside her, and put my arm about
her neck, and co axed her till she gave
reluctant consent; and we went up
stairs together to put away the few
things we needed in travelling satchels.
ave can come over to the Daisy
Lodge easy enough when we need any
thing more, said, pressing down the
top of an old cedar chest where l kept
what little silver / had.
81 shall need something very soon,
then" said Blanche. I'm not going
to stay at the parsonage to be haunted
by the ghost of old Deacon Hides
horse.
She laughed, but her checks were
afame, and her lips trembled. How
was [ to know that, down deep in her
trunk, in dainty crimson case, smiled
the lineaments of my handsome uncle,
and that the miniature was painted from
memory, she not having seen him in all
those ten years?
At three we were ready, all but hats
and shawls. L could see that Blanche
was i'll at ease as she sat knitting on the
faded green lounge-she was never idle.
Its ridiculous notion" she said,
half petulantly, "when [ could take
care of myself SO well in this sunshiny
little place"
but I want you for company" |
pleaded. Every moment of leisure /
get fly to you. Uncle Dash is always
head over ears in his books he loves
that old study so well that L am persuad
ed he will never look for wife and
there are so many fine women in the
parish waiting and ready
That's always the cry, so many
waiting and ready" she answered, her
lips curling land just think of the
gossips, what will they say? Anne Mer-
ritield, won't go y
Z" Yes, you will, said I, quietly, "be-
cause you have promised, and we are
ready-there's the carryall, and only a
quarter past three. Uncle Dash is more
than punctual.
Blanche rose and turned hastily from
me. She was putting her work away
when Uncle Dash opened the front door,
and, at that moment, with her slender
| figure, brown eyes and curls, she looked
so like the girl of eighteen, as she met
my glance, that | was startled.
Z" For PHYS sake, Anne" The sem
tence was never finished for the door
opened, and there stood Uncle Dash, as
straight and handsome as ever, with the
same kind smile upon his lips. His
brown face flushed little.
81 hardly need be introduced" he
said, with alacrity, and his eyes fingered
on her beautiful face
=" Oh, no, you had cause enough to
remember me-" she answered, airily,
giving him her hand, her cheeks like
blush-roses, and / have not forgotten
your sermons.
His eyes danced for moment, and
then he looked grave again. / fancied
he thought of the moonlight ride, and
the deacon's crippled horse, with his
caudal decorations but he said nothing
more, and presently we were snugly
slowed awav in the cheerful little car
rage The drive was a delightful one,
fields with rich grain, the wayside flow
ers and the trees, just turning from
blossom to fruit. basked drowsily in the