The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-04-30
THE MASTER OF HOLME MANOR.

They were seated side by side under the
lines where they had so often met. His
hand clasped hers. His eyes were fixed
fondly upon her dropping face, on the
golden lashes of which tear trembled.
About them was the autumn sunset !;
around, the wales and uplands of Eden
shire while on the slope of hill to the
right stood Holme Manor-an ancient
building belted by thickly-wooded
park, and at present in the charge of the
housekeeper-the owner, travelling abroad
at his accession, not having yet visited it.
"It grieves me to the soul, darling" I"
said the young man, "yet also cannot
help experiencing a fattering delight to
witness your sorrow at our brief separa-
ton.
"I ought not to give way, / know,
Claud it is foolish" responded his
companion, brushing her hand across her
eyes, and looking up with smile. "Did
l doubt you or myself, it might be ex-
cusable."
"And you doubt neither, Lucie q" he
said, folding her hand in his.
"No more" she laughed, "than 1 do
that the sun yonder, setting behind the
Manor, will rise tomorrow.
"Though he who has won the sweet
prize of your affection is only a poor
artist, with his way yet to make 2"
GAS If money could make difference,
Claud You would not so wrong me.
Am not only farmers daughter p
ga jewel, Lucie, that by chance has
rough setting, but whose beauty would
better become one far more exalted" he
said proudly. "Ah were the fortunate
possessor of such an estate as that of
Holme Manor-a place the master has
right to be proud of-how L would re-
joice to make you its mistress !"
"And destroy me by my grandeur,
she replied gaily the Squire's wife
Absurd, Claud Recollect the violet
that grows in the valley dies if trans
planted to the bleak mountain top.
Hark
cit is the church clock striking six
must go, Lucie," said Claud Percival,
rising. "The walk to the station is fully
two miles, and the train starts in half an
hour"
"And when will you return
81 cannot before two months, dearest.
Then you shall see me. Farewell" he
continued, taking her to his heart. 81
go without fear, Lucie, trusting in your
truth as my own. No other, whoever he
be, could win you from me. Not even, ;"
he laughed, the master of Holme
Manor"
"Not even he, dear Claud," she smiled.
Again they embraced then taking his
portfolio and folded camp-stool from the
grass, he parted from her.
She watched him until turn in the
Edenshire lane hid him from view after
ward she went back to her fathers farm,
one of the best on the estate.
AS she entered the sitting room, the
farmer, who was there, exclaimed
"Here's news for you, lass. The
Squire takes possession at last. He is
coming down this evening without hardly
word of warning, and all the servants,
I'll warrant, are iii an awful hurry and
huster while he has already sent word
that tomorrow he visits his tenants and,
lass, it's here he comes first so it's high
busy we must be to have all spic and
span, so that he may renew my lease,
which is shortly out. ;"
"There is no fear about the place,
father" smiled his daughter. "You see
to outdoors, and leave the house and the
dairy under my direction.
"They couldn't be done better, Lucie.
He'll be fortunate young farmer who
gets you for n housewife.
The girl averted her countenance to
hide the blush that suffused it, for as yet
her love for Claud Percival was a secret,
to be revealed only on his return.
Lucie kept her word. The house and
dairy we're perfect by the time Mr..
Gerald Massin arrived. He was a tall,
aristocratic-looking man, with dark hair
and eyes, red lips, and a pale complexion.
Under the farmers guidance he inspected
the farm, but rather with the air of a