The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-09-10

insect had stung him. "I'll send my
daughter to you, young man-that Will
settle the business mt once.
And before Lacy could express his
surprise his choleric host had banged the
door behind him and disappeared.
Mary Thornes astonishment was even
greater than her fathers had been. She
was attired in white muslin, with "A bou-
auet of crimson moss rose-buds in her
hair, for some rural party or picnic, and
mt first absolutely refused to enter the
parlor.
"What an ideal she exclaimed,
blushing to the very tips of those tiny
shell-like ears. "To be put on exhibit
ton like one of your prize cattle No,
where he came from A pretty impress
quarter of the globe !"
'Bui, my love, Zebedee Chester is
one of my Oldest friends, and the young
man is really a very fine looking fellow,
and rich into the bargain. Go in and
talk to him q little while, there's good
girl L can't stand ii minute longer"
And old Jabez wiped his forehead, on
which the perspiration was standing i'll
big beads. And Mary burst into an I'M
comfortable fit of laughter.
"The whole affair is so ridiculous :"
she exclaimed.
But she adjusted the moss roses never
theless and tripped demurely into the
parlor.
Now, if there was a determined point
in Jack Lacy's character it was his aver
sion TO women i'll general, and if there
was any one thing on which he prided
himself it was his decided old bachelor
ism. Imagine his veXation and dismay
therefore, when, after formal introduce
ton, old Mr.. Thorne withdrew, leaving
him tcte-d-tete with the pretty creature
III white muslin and roses. 1t was en-
barrassing enough, particularly as Mary
blushed every time he looked at her, and
evinced an exceedingly great disposition
to laugh.
Well" thought Jack, "the manners
and customs of this locality are rather
odd, to say the least Of it. | came to
consult an old man about purchasing
land of him, and he bomces out of the
room, and sends in his daughter. What
on earth am to say to her, I'd like to
kaowl"
And Mary, glancing shyly in the direc-
ton of her companion, came to the con-
clusion that he had beautiful Spanish
eyes, and mustache decidedly superior
in style to the hirsute adornments of the
young gentlemen at Thornville.
Mr.. Lacy looked up at the ceiling and
down at the carpet, and wondered what
the consequences would be were he to
escape incontinently through the open
French window. That would not be a
; very dignifed proceeding, however, so
, he resigned himself to destiny by MAX
ing some original remark on the weather.
, 1t had the much desired effect of break
ing the ice, however, and he was agreea-
bly, surprised with the arch vivacity of
Miss Thorne. Only once did she seem
confused it was when she had been de-
scribing a fine grove of cedars that be-
, longed to her fathers land, regretting at
the same time that he had contemplated
the sale of it,
81 believe / should like to become the
purchaser" said Jack. "Your father
has told you that l had some idea of set
, ting here 2"
, Mary grew scarlet, and murmured
, some sentence or other. The converse
ton was effectually checked, and Jack,
, perplexed at the effect, for which he
? could perceive no visible cause, rose to
, take leave.
VIII you mention to your father,
, Miss Thorne, that / shall call to see him
about this matter tomorrow morning -
he asked.
All the moss-roses in Mr.. Thorne s
rose garden could not have rivalled the
hot glow on Mary's checks as she fled
out of the room without word of re-
ply.
Very singular family this, =" muttered
Jack, slowly drawing on his gloves and
walking down the broad garden path.
But she is an uncommonly pretty girl
and | shall certainly take an early
walk through that grove of cedars to-
morrow morning, before breakfast. y
He dreamed of blue-eyed Mary Thorne
that night, and arose decidedly pleased
that he should have reasonable excuse
for calling at her fathers house so soon.
81 certainly can't be in love :" quoth
he, mentally. " But how Minnie would
tease me if she thought / was in danger
of suing for not only farm but u wife. :"
Old Jabez Thorne was busily engaged
nipping the dead leaves off his pet lau-
rustinus with a gigantic pair of garden
scissors, that morning, when young
Lacy spreng over the hedge and saluted
him with buoyant good-morning."
Well, sir" he went on gaily, Il
have seen the property, and am per.
fectly delighted. A fine, healthy in
vestment-no disease about it, I'm con-
vinced."
Hem !" said Mr.. Thorne, obviously.
"And 1 would like to take second,
more thorough inspection in your So
ciety, sir, if you please"
"Really, Mr.. Lacy" said the old man,
sharply, "my daughter has not yet come
down stairs, and"
"What the mischief has his daughter
to do with the matter" thought Lacy,
but he said politely:
"Of course / will await any time that
may be convenient to you, sir. L observed
good deal of native roughness, but
cannot doubt that there is very great
susceptibility of improvement. A little
judicious cultivation will accomplish
wonders"