The true northerner., 1873-04-18

her visitor to set, wondered how in the
world he had come to think OF pleading
her cause.
You are very kind, Judge Alden, "
she reioined. "Before coming here, /
schooled myself TO do battle with cold
rebuff, and instead, met with universal
kindness. Apart from individual salts
faction, this is encouraging to woman
who has the best interests OF her sex at
heart"
"Ah, my dear lady," was the suave
reply, the entire tendency OF your
labors proves the force of your last words.
The women of the land have cause to
thank you for the common-sense views
you have disseminated. rnr'Ii
I" Every mite is of avail, am aware,
but hitherto my field of action has been
so small that the fruit of my Efforts can
scarcely have spread very widely through
the land"
"You are too modest-too modest.
Why, it would be impossible to estimate
the good you have done.
"But how do you know anything
about me? Mr. Martin has hitherto
been my only acquaintance here, and
with him"
"a town possessing the facilities of
ours" interrupted the Judge, chuckling
with excessive amusement, while the
wisdom of an owl settled upon his coun-
tenance. "need scarcely rely upon a
Mr.. Martin for information. We man
age to keep up with the current litera-
tIlre of the day, assure YOU"
CT do not doubt it, yet cannot con-
ceive what you thus learn about me.
"Truly that is comical remark-you
must excuse my saying so, Miss Dodge
"a most comical remark for lady of
your reputation to make"
81 do not understand you," she said,
regarding him with puzzled air.
"Why, simply, the author of your
writings"
my writings-my writings Why,
where have you seen any of my letters p
" 1t would be rather absurd to intrude
upon Miss Dodges private correspond
ence, when her books and magazine ar
ticles have so large circulation.
" My books ? My magazine articles ?
Judge Alden, L never wrote line for
publication in my life, cried the aston
ished girl
The little Judge looked seriously of
Tended, and assumed rather q severe tone,
as he replied
Miss Abigail Dodge forgets that
her disguise has long since been pene-
trated, and that our quiet community, as
well as the great world, recognizes her
identity with Gail Hamilton.
Gail Hamilton, L? Oh, Judge AL
den Truly, this explanation of the
mystery never entered my brain. What
shall do? What will the prople think
of me? L am not Gail Hamilton my
name is not Abigail. am SIMPLY Annie
Dodge, and ! came her to open mil
hnery and dressmaking establishment in
connection with Mr.. Martins store. My
reception here has astonished me, but /
attributed it to desire to encourage my
industrial schemes.
The Judge seemed quite as much fus-
tered during this speech as did his pain
| fully embarrassed companion, but he was
not the man to permit circumstances
long to endanges his dignity Closely
questioning Miss Dodge upon the facts
of her life, he was soon thoroughly con-
yersant with all needful points.
MY dear Miss Dodge" he then said,
"you talk well; and if you will be
guided by me, you need have no diff
Guilty in extricating yourself from this
trifing dilemma.
Hereupon he proposed that she should
consent to his calling another meeting at
the town-hall, and that she should I'M
dertake to explain her position us she
had done to him. Also, he suggested
that it might be as well to let it be sup
posed that he and his family had known
from the first who she was Without
some decisive step, all her well matured
plans would be ruined, and therefore
she yielded.
The Judge performed his part of the
compact, and after keeping her room all
day, Miss Dodge stood that evening once
more surrounded by an admiring assem-
blage. There was. something regal in
the girls appearance her eyes sparkled
with an unwonted fire, her complexion
was brilliant, and people wondered why
they had never before discovered how
handsome she was. Leaning against
her crimson-covered desk, she gazed
calmly over the room until n hush had
fallen upon the audience, then she be-
gan as follows:
4" Ny friends, [ learn from Judge Al
den that | have been basking in the sun
shine of favors accorded to me under a
total misapprehension. This deeply
mortifies me and unaccustomed as /
am to speaking in public, cannot rest
until | have explained my position to
you. When you hear all, your gen
erosity-will | trust, eXonerate me from
any suspicion of coming among you
under false pretences.
An observer of physiognomy would
have found abundant material for in
vestigation in that assemblage when the
speaker proclaimed that she was not a
celebrated writer, but simply Annie
Dodge, an unknown mOdistc. Some ex-
changed glances of CONSERVATION and
surprise, others endeavored to look un-
concerned, as though they had all along
been behind the scenes still others, III
whom sense of ludicrous was keenly
developed, seemed heartily to enjoy the
discontinue of their neighbors. With
one accord, however, all paid breathless
attention to the musical voice of the
noble-looking woman before them.
From my earliest childhood" she
said, CT have yearned for indepen.
dence. Do not understand that i was