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

Wouldn't q touched mouthful if
I'd known il" said Aunt Hannah, with
Disguised air whereupon, in my small
way, and with due Difference to her SUI
perior wisdom, / gave her lecture upon
the sin of prejudice, and almost won her
over to think well of my favorite.
At the tea-table that evening Blanche
looking charming-not girlish, butyouth-
full; and the gentleness of her manner
would, was sure, make n pleasant inn
preston upon Uncle Dash. L missed
the wit and sparkle of her conversation,
and it was evident she felt herself in the
presence of one who had misunderstood
her, and was perpetually on her guard.
Only once she alluded to some little in
cident that lighted his whole face with
hardly-suppressed merriment, and / was
almost certain he was thinking of "Dash,
Dasher, etc, but he said nothing, and
Blanche looked as if she wished herself
away.
a. shall only stay till tomorrow, she
said, as we left the table together.
Don't try to keep me; if you do, I'll
run off and go home"
Every well well see when tomorrow
comes, was my reply.
Grace, the old cook, came up for or
ders after tea.
I'm not past usefulness yit, Aunt
Anne" she said to me, Though my
Cruel don't suit.
"Now, Grace !" exclaimed Aunt Han
nah, with reproachful glance.
Law, Miss Hammer, don't mind me. !"
whimpered Grace, who idolized her mis-
tress, I'm past eighty, you know. 4"
She went closer to the bedside, and
looked wistfully down into the little care
worn face.
81 kissed We often when We were q
little one, she said, strange, yearning
look in her eyes.
Kiss me now, Grace; just fancy I'm
n little one again, said Aunt Hannah.
The old woman bent lower, touched
Aunt Hannal's forehead with her shriv-
eled lips, and left the room. At the
door she turned back.
1.-The Lord ha' mercy on us all - she
said solemnly, and was gone.
Il shouldn't wonder" said Aunt Han
nah, in n low voice, "if Grace was going
to die.
sat up late that night reading, while
Aunt Hannah slept. The house was
very still, as houses in the country are.
/ heard Uncle Dash lock up the house
he always carried the key to his study.
Twelve o'clock struck; Aunt Hannah
still slept. fell into doze 10y the side
of the bed, How long | had been
asleep | cannot tell, but l was rudely
Weakened
Il had to shake you, DEAR" said
Aunt Hannah; there's trouble-I
heard a frightful scream. What shall
we do ?"
sprang up; the cry was repeated; it
was the voice of Blanche.
my dear, there's unusual light it's
not the moon-it's fire." screamed Aunt
Hannah, sitting bolt upright. THE
Lord have mercy on us! and we SO far
| from the town.
l flew into the hall. The atmosphere
was sitting. Presently Blanche met
me, nearly dressed, her eyes wild and
glittering
Its on the study floor" she gasped,
"all that wing is on fire; ii has just
broken out in my room. Don't for the
love of heaven open the door! it will feed
the flame. The smoke made me stupid
If / hadn't heard Grace, O. Anne, poor
old Gracer' she sobbed. "What shall
we do? how shall we get your aunt out
and where is your uncle? O, Annel his
sleeping-room is on the study floor, and
we have not heard him yet. Surely ii
he had escaped he would have warned
us. Hark. hear the flames roar! God
help us. Quick, Anne, we must take
your aunt down before the fire gets
through. O my God what night
We hurried into my aunt's room near
~ frantic, Blanche shouting Fire." all
the way 1t seemed to me as if they
must hear it Mt the town when her voice
sounded loud and shrill from the open
window. We helped poor, bewildered
Aunt Hannah down stairs, the fire fol-
! lowing us, undid the fastenings of the
parlor windows, and were soon outside.
80, Anne can nothing be saved
must the dear old house go?' cried
Blanche, white with terror "And poor
old Grace burned to death, and your
mcle"-she caught her breath.
/ flew round to the wing where the
study was, half delirious with apprehen-
sion. The awful, horrible sight The
whole interior of that part of the house
was mass of whirling red flame.
! w mere, llIieei, WAS my lnclc! ne WoulIl
not have gone for help, leaving us in
danger. | was almost paralyzed with
dread-it had all come SO suddenly.
Aunt Hannah chung to me half fainting,
moaning her brothers name.
At that moment the clang of the
church bell smote upon the night.
"They know it nowl' cried Blanche.
"Too late too latel Hear the fire roar!
o, what pitiless demons the flames are!
and see how the sparks and brands are
falling! Carry your aunt to the field
yonder; poor soul, all is lost'
Aunt Hannah mt these words seemed
suddenly to lose what little strength
she had between us, Blanche and l bore
her out of danger and laid her upon the
ground.
"This is too dreadful ?! moaned
Blanche, whose great fearless eyes were
strained and bloodshot. "See, now the
people are coming. How it lights their
faces upv' she added, shuddering.
"They can't save anything-the whole
house is in hames-see them work. can t
we do something, Anne? / shall go mad
if / don't. o, Anne, where is he q
Don't, Blanche, said, shuddering,