The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-04-30

when the dairy, with its bright, glitter
ing utensils and clean, red-tiled floor,
came under observation.
CT have seen many foreign dairies,
he remarked, "even those of the pro-
verbally clean Dutch, but none could
compete with this. 1t makes one almost
forswear everything save butter, cheese,
milk and eggs"
CAV" remarked the farmer, proudly,
"you might eat your dinner off the floor
here, as the saying is, better than off
some folks table-cloth on a Saturday.
It's all owing to my daughter, Lucie, Mr..
Massin. The maids would be here,
there and everywhere, and the butter
and cheese nowhere, if it weren't for her
directing them. / gave her the best ed
ucation lass can have, but she is too
good and clever too let it set her above
her work.
"May / have the pleasure of seeing
one to whom my eyes owe SO much p"
asked Gerald Massin, looking round.
"Eh, surely. She's somewhere near,
I'll warrant" replied the farmer; going
to the door, and making the air ring with
his daughters name.
A moment after, Lucie, dressed simply
but prettily, in light muslin, entered.
In rather supercillious manner, Ger
aid Massin turned. AS, however, his
him start, and his dark brows rise in
astonishment as he bowed low.
He treats her as he might d - bless
he thought approvingly; anduchess, -
her! - she behaves quite like one,
too. I'll warrant he has seen few pref
tier lasses than Lucie.
Gerald Massin evidently was of the
same opinion. His dark eyes rarely
wandered from her face. The tones in
which he addressed her were low and
respectful, and the encomiums endless
that he passed on the dairy, which he
appeared i'll no hurry to leave, but slipped
the cream he had received from her
hands so slowly, that Lucie strongly sus-
pected he didn't like it, but, being we'll
bred, only drank it out of compliment to
the place.
When, finally, the farmer carried him
off, Gerald Massin displayed more in
difference to the live stock and the acres
of arabic land than before, and soon,
pleading time, mounted his horse at the
gate to leave.
81 will come another day, If you will
permit me-" he said. "It is a fine farm,
and proftable-a fortune in itself. By
the-way, the steward tells me your lease
is nearly expired"
1T is, Mr.. Massin; but trust you'll
find no objection to renew it.
/ see none at present, certainly. We
will talk over it when / come again.
Gerald Massin came again very often,
and always at those times when Lucie
was sure to be at home; but he never
mentioned the lease, and always changed
the subject if the farmer spoke of it.
The farmer, however, experienced no
dread for with much satisfaction he had
begun to read the cause of Gerald Mas
sins frequent visits, even as had Lucie,
with pain, sorrow and modification.
The Squire loved the farmers daugh-
ter.
One morning, nearly a month after
Mr.. Massin' 8 first visit, footman brought
word that Farmer Western was wanted up
at the Manor on business respecting the
lease.
81 knew it it's all right" remarked
John Western. "Thank goodness, the
weight will soon be off my mind"
His honest face the picture of content,
he rode off ;.but it was nothing in COM
parison to how it beamed when, an hour
later, he galloped home.
Flinging himself from his horse, he
hurried into the sitting room where Lucie
sat at work.
"News, lassie - news he cried.
"What will you give me for it-eh?"
"The usual payment" she smiled,
putting her arms about him, and kissing
his cheek.
"From bank where the account can
never be overdrawn," he proceeded,
cheerily. "Well, I've been up to the
Squire's, Lucie; and if you were to guess
a hundred years, you'd never guess what
he said"
But Lucie, though steadily she in
quired what he did say, had already
guessed, as her pale cheek and her arms
abruptly dropping from the farmers neck
proved.
He loves you, Lucie, and wants to
make you his wife,
His wife !" she gasped. "And what
did you answer, father"
"What did l answer Why, lass,
what could L answer, save that it was a
great honor done us-too much for such
as we, but that he had my consent, as ]
knew he'd have yours, my girl"
Father, it is impossible" she muir.
INJURED. 81 cannot marry him."
Not marry him ! " cried Farmer
Western. Refuse the Squire 2"
eyes, father, / must, even had he been
King of England"
"Whyl care you mad, Luciel"
"No, but dear, dear father" she
exclaimed, abruptly, sinking on hei
knees, "forgive me for keeping it from
you, but my heart is already given tc
Claud Percival. In the eyes of HEAVIER
we are engaged p
"Claud Percival wandering, beg
carly artist |" roared the farmer. "Marry
him before n man like Squire Massin
No, Lucie; we've been good friends tc
this moment, but henceforth you are M
daughter of mine if you say that. II
see you and Claud Percival to the deuce
before give you to him ~
Father, in mercy" she implored
"do not speak hastily" "What il
wealth without lover But love can bt
priceless without wealth. / cannot-l
must not wed other than Gland Percival
n n A