The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-02-20
PIOUED.

A torn picture-a returned ring-a
few angry words-and Lionel st. Clair
and Myrtle Ruthven parted. And why?
Simply because the latter thought
Lionel paid rather too particular atten-
ton to Adele Latour. He tried to rea-
son with her, but Myrtle's pride was
touched I; and saying in cool, sarcastic
tone, 1T matters not L return your
ring henceforth we are strangers, +"
with an angry step left the room.
Hello Lion, what's the matter ?"
said Charlie Ruthven, few days after
the above circumstance, meeting our
hero and observing his downcast coun-
tenance. Has that sister of mine been
lecturing you?"
"She is angry because happen to
speak to Adele Latour trifie oftener
than she likes, and accuses me of pay
ing her particular attention, as she
terms it. )"
Charlie calculated ooh y emphatic
ally.
Il have never even called on Miss
Latour, as Myrtle very well knows and
because treated the lady with polite
ness the other evening, and escorted her
home from the lyceum, where we acct
dentally met, she chooses to consider
it preconcerted plan; and now, by her
express wish, we are strangers.
"Ah that is it. Well, never mind ;
cheer up, old fellow she will relent
yet, mark my words. Why, when Nellie
and fall out, leave her, and she soon
comes round"
These merry words brought smile to
Lionel's face, as Charlie, wbistling gay
air, pursued his way down the street.
One day soon after, Helen Carlton, a
particularfriendof Myrtle and Charles
betrothed, came into the room where
Myrtle was sitting.
"What has happened between you
and Lionel? He was Adele Latour's
attendant at the ball last night why
were you not there p was her first ex-
clamation, after the usual greeting.
81 had no desire to go particularly,
as Lionel finds more congenial COM
panion in Miss Latour," said Myrtle
bitterly.
"What do you mean ?" exclaimed her
friend in establishment.
4" Precisely what say =; Lionel and L
are nothing to each other; since he
prefers another's society to mine, L have
set him free.
You don't mean that you have broken
of the engagement 2"
Exactly ;" and Myrtle held up her
ringless hand.
80 Myrtle How could you, when
ground you tread %
60 Actions speak louder than words,
| am led to believe, said she, haughtily.
"Lionel st. Clair is not going to trample
on my affections, He shall not have the
pleasure of seeing that care, even, if l
die by it, / think mypride will sustain
me if nothing else does.
Myrtle, Myrtle You will repent of
this" said Helen, sadly, as she rose to
GO, thinking of the seasons of heart
WEAKNESS in store for the proud girl.
At first, things went on tolerably well
with Myrtle, for deep in her heart she
had faint hope that Lionel would come
to her with a confession, ask forgive
ness, and all would be right. But as
day after day passed, and he did not
make his appearance, hope grew fainter
and fainter. Then it was that she felt
fully opened she saw it was her own
wilful jealousy that had caused all this
misery and many nights her pillow
was wet with bitter tears. But, as she
said, her pride sustained her outwardly.
She was gay and careless, trihe paler,
perhaps but no one attributed her loss
of color to the correct cause, and-peo-
pie said, "She has no heart, or she
would not act as she does" Into all
kinds of gayety she rushed madly.
Helen demonstrated with her, but to no
avail.
One evening, Myrtle had been out
walking with gentleman friend. Dur
ing their ramble, they had strayed to.
ward a large portion of water, around
which was pleasant walk commonly
called the beach. They had proceeded
! but short distance, when, turning q
bend in the walk, they came face to
face with Lionel and Adele. Both
started slightly, but Immediately Myr.
tie bestowed witching glance on her
companion, and uttered playful re-
mark. No glance of recognition passed
between the former lovers.
Lionel bit his lips until the blood
started he managed, however, to an
swer Adele's questions, although her
innocent blue eyes were often raised to
his face in wonder as to what made him
suddenly SO stern and silent.
Mr.. Beresford, we will not walk
any further" said Myrtle, " am not
we'll"
Hercompanion utteredan exclamation
of alarm as he caught sight of her face,
for it justified her words. Returning tc
the house, she excused herself and re.
tired
What night the proud girl endured
1t seemed as though her heart would
break.
Thus three months passed away.
Myrtle started for stroll in the
ground attached to the house, one even
ing, just as the shades of night begar
to close around after wandering around
aimlessly for some time, she discovered
the smoke of cigar rising from a sum
mer-house.
Charlie is in there alone, and / vii
go and tell him my troubles, for L can
endure it any longer" said she with
choking sob.
Entering the little building, she threw