The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-02-27

acuudlnltncc' -
"Good heaven Look yonder. See
that lad standing behind Van Alstine's
chair I!
Harry's eyes were already turning in
that direction. A handsome youth had
glided quite unobserved into the apart
ment, and now stood as if transtixed,
watching the progress of the game.
He had round, fair face, delicate as
any woman's, great, long-lashed, velvety
eyes, blue as fringed gentians, little,
red, ripe mouth, and a profusion of yell
lowish hair, curling around low, white
brow.
1t was singular face to encounter in
such place. Harry felt sudden thrill
OF mingled delight and pain as he gazed
upon it. He recoiled, as from sudden
shock, without knowing why.
From the faro-table there came an
abrupt ejaculation presently.
Lost again ~
1t was Van Alstines voice. He rose
up, white as death, fumbled in his vest
pocket moment, and brought out a
gold locket, thickly studded with
jewels.
The fair-faced youth gave sudden
start at sight of the glittering trinket.
"Give me one more trial, " said Van
Alstine, in a sharp, excited voice !;
"luck cannot always be against me"
This time the dealer shook his head
So can't advance you any more checks
tonight"
Van Alstine muttered an impatient
curse, and glanced wildly round the
table.
"This bauble cost me five hundred
dollars" said he, holding up the locket.
"Will anybody give me half that sum
! for it now?"
There was moment of silence. Then
the fair-faced youth (who had entirely
escaped Van Alstine's observatory sud
denly pushed pretty, slender hand
over his shoulder.
ct will, he said, in accents soft as
the tinkle of silver bell.
At the sound of that voice, Van
Alstine wheeled round suddenly in his
tracks. His face was CHASTITY already,
but wild, scared look spread all over
it, as he stood and glared at the youth
moment, in half-incredulous amaze
ment. He was shaking from head to
foot, and could scarcely stand.
" My God % be gasped.
Then, as if compelled by some stern
necessity for self-control, he brought
the strength back to his ncrvless limbs,
and catching fiercely hold of the youth S
arm led him quickly to one side.
Harry saw them pause in recess at
no great distance. Impelled by feel
ing over which he had no control, he
! eti11 vpotol, oil ond lictanod
Eloise," he heard Van Alstine say,
in a shrill, kissing whisper, "why are
you here, and in this disguise ?"
e" 1 came to find you Dick, was the
answer, in low, firm voice.
"My God |" and great drops of
agony came out on the poor fellows
forehead. "Come away, this instant.
Come away Do you know-do you
guess, the fearful risk you have run i'll
venturing into this place ?"
The lovely eyes still looked straight
into his own.
"You were here, Dick, and could
not keep away"
"Silly fool" he said, half fondly,
half in anger.
At this instant one of the gamblers
rose from the table, and stepped tow
ard them.
Evan Alstine, would like word
with you in private before you leave
the house"
The young man started, flashed a
| quick glance from the man back to his
companions at the table, but there was
nothing suspicious in the demeanor OF
any one of them.
Certainly, sir" and turned to fol
low the gambler into one of the side
apartments.
He turned back hastily before reach
ing the door, however, and, coming up
to his recent companion, said in a rapid
whisper
Il must go, or these ruffians will
suspect something wrong. Walk bold
ly down stairs, and out of the house
that is your only way. For Gods sake
don't inger, Eloise l will presently
Join you at the first street-corner.
Then, with last imploring glance
he was gone.
Not word, not a movement, of al
this had been lost upon Harry Blais-
dell. Here was romance under hi
very nose, and Providence had called
him here on purpose to play a role il
it, perhaps.
At any rate, he could not think o
leaving the place until he had seen thu
end of the affair. SO he drew back il
the shadow of the window drapery
when nobody was observing him, ant
crouched there close against the wall
mentally calling himself a fool, and
|, thousand other uncomplimentaryn names
J for lingering and hiding there, yet feel
ing no inclination to go away.
Fortunately, his friend of the piping
: voice and sarcastic face had vanished
and there was no fear of espionage iron
him.
} What an odd affair it was altogether
OF course, the fair-faced stranger was
woman There could not be doub
n of that and his imagination wove
r very pretty romance, in which thi
Eloise was the heroine, and Van Al
slime her lover.
g And yet-strange contradiction III
{ felt keen pang whenever he though
q of ncthing else while watching fo
further developments from his hiding
q place.
Eloise-we may as we'll give her
n name-did not leave the room, as sh
S had been hidden ms tead, she squeeze
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