The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-08-21


that her first impressions of me were as
favorable as mine of her.
Jasper was not at home, and L won
dered, with my first twinge OF jealousy,
how he would be impressed with her
appearance; for in my heart had al
ready resolved upon winning her, If
possible, for bride.
/ didn't sleep much that night, and
in what little 1 did was haunted by
disagreeable dreams, in which my
brothers sad face was present. plead
ing, in sorrowful voice, for share in
the affections of Myrtella. Then, when
L refused his earnest pleading, he dis
appeared from my sight, and his llnger-
ing remark, "You are your brothers
murderer" appeared to be taken up and
echoed by thousands of voices, until, IN
a terror, awoke, and was glad the night
was past, and that L had only been
dreaming. never placed any faith in
dreams or warnings. If had, L should
have interpreted mine to mean that
something bad was to happen to me or
my brother.
The next few days passed pleasantly
to me, in the company of Myrtella, OF
whom my first impressions had not
dimmed; but themore got acquainted,
the more found to love and admire.
We took many rides and drives, and |
was her constant companion and es-
cort yet could not say that my Woo
ing was prospecting as well as L could
wish. She was ever kind and loving,
vet she seemed to regard me rather IN
the light of a brother than a lover I;
and whenever | preached the subject OF
love, she was suddenly impressed with
the importance of some object
entirely foreign to my feelings,
which was very aggravating to my i'm
petuous nature. However, L resolved
to persevere and hope for the best.
Thus time rolled onward days
heightened into weeks, and L seemed TO
be no nearer the object of my hopes
than at first, when my father received
notice from a distant firm with whom
he had business relations that required
his immediate presence to prevent a
heavy loss. AS he was now confirmed
invalid, and the inclement season OF the
year having arrived, he could not take
the Journey to attend TO it himself SO |
was necessitated, though much against
my will, to go as his agent. AS the
business admitted OF no delay, in two
hours L was ready so, without time to
say parting word TO the object Of my
fondest love, L stepped into train
bound for the Southern city Of Mobile.
l consoled myself with the thought that
in short time | would return, and
then, with the first opportunity, would
press my claim, and know my fate, for
this suspense was a consuming torture
to me.
/ arrived safe at my destination, but
soon learned that the affairs of the firm
were in such complicat d condition
that possibly some me would elapse
belore 1 could settle my fathers bust
ness with it and return.
| had written to my father as to
whether | was obliged to stay until the
business of the firm was all settled. He
wrote that by all means / must stay {;
nothing about Myrtella, only that she
was well, and that Jasper was at home.
This last was the feather that was about
TO brake thu camePs back.
But everything must come to an end.
My stay finally terminated, after nearly
two months absence, and L again en-
tered Morton Homestead. l was warmly
welcomed by Jasper and Myrtella.
They seemed, to my jealous eyes, to be
on very loving terms but whether JAS
per regarded our cousin in any dearer
light than brotherly affection, could
not satisfactorily then determine. re-
solved however, that L would not long
be prey to uncertainty, and, with this
resolve, L sought Myrtella alone. After
some desultory conversation, told her
of my intense love, from the first mo-
ment that | beheld her, and entreated
her to give me some hope if not now,
to give me some prospect of happiness
in the future. On my knees L besought
her love.
She seemed thunderstruck at my alb
rupt proposal, and, taking me by the
hand, begged me to rise, while a look
of mingled pity and pain passed over
her face as she answered, sob, Thomas,
my dear cousin, you do not know how
you have panied me, for L little thought
of this but l can never love you other
than sister should dear brother"
Myrtella, do not say SO. Have you
a prior engagement ?-for surely have
right to ask"
Oh, Thomas, indeed / am sorry for
you, but L am the affianced wife of your
DrOJnef.
Perdition seize the black-hearted
rascal, cried, in uncomfortable anger,
as l strobe from her presence, Then
like mailman, l rushed from the
house.
The last spark of brotherly affection
died out of my heart anger and re-
venge took complete control of me- and
L resolved that if he possessed her heart
he should never possess her hand /
strobe along the highway, my brain
nearly crazed, not knowing or caring
whittier / went 1 met young man of
my acquaintance, who accosted me.
Z" Goodevening, Tom. Why, what's
the matter? You look as if you had
lost all your friends"
1 evaded his query, and put on as I'M
conscious look as / could, as / re-
piled, "Oh, there's nothing wrong; only
little out of sorts this evening, that's
all.
|, Well, I'm glad I've met you, as it
will save me the trouble of going up to
the homestead The fact Ia Ue vouno