The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-07-23

| ulSmlSSing ner. Anu VI ohO
followed, cannot attempt detailed de
scription. by the afternoon, was thor
oughly exhausted, and made up my mind
to see no more, when, just as 1t was get
ting dusk, my servant came up to the
drawing-room and informed me that such
a nice looking young lady was in the
dining-room quite the incest that had
been yet.
"Ask her to come upstairs then,
Ellis but do not admit any one else"
replied; and the next minute the draw
ing room door was thrown open by
Ellis, and "Miss Burke announced.
She was dressed in mourning, and,
even III the dim light, was, L could see,
a pale-faced, rather handsome girl of APP
parently about four-and-twenty. Hen
height was over the average, but seemed
greater from her extreme thinness, which
struck me as almost startling. "Good-
evening"" she said, in low and rather
pleasant voice. " l am afraid am very
late it was so kind of you to see me"
cit is late," assented, "but that
does not matter.
>, Thank you," responded my visitor.
81 came about your advertisement
saw you wanted a companion, and L am
anxious to get situation of that kind. y
81 have had so many applications to-
day, | answered, for want of something
better to say.
"Ah! / can quite fancy it," returned
Miss Burke. 81 fear am too late 2"
"No," L replied; 81 have seen no one
yet to suit me.
eff you would only try me, should
do my utmost TO please you" she said
almost pleadingly. 81 have already
been companion, and | can give you
references which may induce you to
think of me-" and Miss Burke opened a
small black velvet bag, which until then
/ had not perceived, and placed in my
hands monogramed and coroneted
epistle, addressed to herself, purporting
to come from Lady Montacute, whose
companion she had been for two years,
and who expressed herself in the warm
est terms, assuring Miss Burke, when
ever she returned from the continent,
whittier she was just then going, that il
would give her the greatest pleasure to
answer any inquiries in her favor; in the
meantime, Lady Montacute authorized
her to make what use she chose of the
letter now sent, ending by saying she
was certain, wherever she went, Miss
Burke must be favorite and an acqui-
sitiOn.
Then followed letter from a Rev. Mr..
White, from a remote rectory in Cum
berland, stating that he had known Miss
Emily Burke from her childhood, and
could certify that she was not only de-
sirable III al respects, but most amiable
and talented young lady, whose family
were both well known and highly re-
spected. Nothing could be more salts
factory; and after reading the two mis-
sives carefully by the light of the fire, !
raised my eyes toward my visitor, whom
1 found regarding me in the most eager
manner imaginable.
"They are most kind letters, said;
"and as far as references go, am sure
/ could not do better Your duties
would be very light lit is really only for
the sake of companionship that L re-
quire any one, as l do everything for
myself, but L have been very lonely since
my husband went away.
81 can imagine it, " responded Miss
Burke, sympathizingly. 81 should do
my utmost to cheer you.
lyon are very kind to say so" l an
swered. "Should we agree as to terms,
when could you Gomez"
Tomorrow, ii you will permit me, -
replied Miss Burke. 81 am in lodgings,
and the expense of them is so great that
l should be only too glad to give them
up--I am very poor" she added III low
! tone.
/ was sorry for the poor girl, and feel
ing / had been rs prudent as possible i'll
perusing her references, and trusting q
good deal to her air of quiet respectable
| ity, 1 proceeded to state my terms,
which were eagerly accepted. After a
little conversation, all was settled, and
my companion promised to make her
| appearance before luncheon on the fol-
lowing day. For the rest of that even
ing L was unusually meditative; i was
pleased, and yet not pleased. She was
not altogether my beau ideal of COM
panion. Although ladylike, and with
| undeniable references, there was certain
awkwardness in her manner.
Her room was to be on the same floor
with my own; and on the following morn
ing | went in, short time before she
arrived, to see that everything was ready
for her. 1t was October, and the weather
was chilly, so | desired that she should
have fire, as / fancied. coming from
wretched lodgings, it might be sort of
welcome to her. At l o'clock she ar
rived, bringing with her a small black
box as her sole luggage, which Ellis and
the housemaid, between them, carried
directly to her room, whittier she fol-
lowed them almost Immediately, to take
off her things. l accompanied her, and
remained for a few minutes, telling her
to join me in the drawing-room as soon
as she could, lunch being ready.
She presently appeared, very much al
tered by the removal of her bonnet. She
wore her hair in crop, fashion de-
tested; and her figure without her cloak
was only redeemed from awkwardness
by the well-made black dress, which had
evidently been the work of first-rate
mOdiSte. She wore no ornaments except
plain gold ring on the little finger of
her left hand, which / noticed was par
ticrllarly large. i ceased to criticise her
after we had been together for a little.
She was so pleasant, so chatty, and yet
SO quiet witbal that ere evening came L
had begun to congratulate myself on my
o,v,, ,,erspicocity in having ON ooOeI baY