The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-07-09
ways. See, this is your room.

1T is charming Hooking about the
dainty chamber, with its wall and carpet
of pale gray touched with blue; its fresh
chintzes, and gay little fire. never saw
anything prettier or more complete.
How do you like living on fiat, Stella9"
"Oh, very much. don't know about
flats in general; but this is delightful,
quiet, convenient, and we are so high
up that we really have something like a
view. James and l are very proud of
our view. But we began with pleasant
associations, you know. The Peytons
used to live here. Such nice people |!
and here it was that it all began"
"It?"
eyes, our ii. Dear old stupid, you
known what / mean our engagement
no, not our engagement - that came
later-but our finding each other the
preliminary emotions, and all that"
I" want to hear about all that, +"
said Ernestine, as they returned to the
drawing-room and settled themselves
before the fire. 81 missed the letter
you wrote me at the time of your en-
gagement, you remember, and really
know almost nothing, except that here
you are."
$50 You did. Well looking at the
clock" there's a good hour before din
ner, and James will be late to-day, be-
You know, of course, that he's a profes
sor, and excessively wise and learned"
eyes; / know so much.
81 used to be dreadfully afraid of
him, went on Estella, witha little laugh.
He isn't a society man at all, and
doesn't know how to get on with young
ladies. He used to talk to me sometimes
at parties, but / was always stiff and
silent. He made me feel shy and igno-
rant and hght-minded somehow, the only
man that ever did, and L quite thought
that disliked him. In fact l used to
say so. Several of the girls felt the
same.
"The Peytons lived in these rooms
last winter. Dear me Is it only last
winterl It seems as if it must have been
years ago so much has happened since.
Well, they were going to have little
dinner or Mrs. Peyton's birthday, the
I'd Of December-just the Dalrymples
and Sargents; and Mrs. Peyton was to
ask gentleman to match me. Harry
Allen was to be the gentleman. He was
a great ally of mine, and all agreed that
it would prove quite a perfect little
affair.
"The very day before I had note
from Mrs. Peyton to say that Harry AL
lens stepmother was dead, and she must
get some one else. Who would like
l wrote back that it didn't mucn matter;
Leslie Clark would be nice, if he were
disengaged. Your evening is pleasant
or stupid according TO whether the per-
son next you is nice or not; SO | hoped
Leslie Clark would be available
Somehow l had feeling that the
evening was going to be important!
Isn't it strange how such impressions
seize upon your | never took more
pains with my toilette for any party, and
my dress was lovely, though say it. /
really looked remarkably nice, and set
out in the highest spirits. So you can
imagine my feelings when, just as was
getting out of my carriage another drew
up, and James Alsop stepped out in
dress-coat and gloves, evidently bound
for the dinner. Leslie Clark had proved
engaged, and Mrs. Peyton, casting about
for substitute, had lighted on James.
She hadn't the least idea, of course,
that / disliked him.
cit makes me laugh to recollect how
cross l felt. And he looked equally dis
satisfied. He confesses nOaU that he was
good deal put out. Ny shyness and
avoidance had rebuffed him, and he had
made up his mind that was frivolous
and that he would let me alone in future.
\Iffh hn,,n fhot lao ,,l,t 1o
bound for the first story or the second, l
remarked Good evening, Mr.. Alsop.
Are we both en- route for Mrs. Pey-
ton'si'
"'For Mrs. Peyton's,' he replied,
with a stiff little bow. Then we took
our place in the elevator as gloomily as
though we were going to funeral in
stead of dinner party. Dear me, how
funny it was The man below stared at
us, and up we went. There wasn't any
elevator boy then. That's an improve
ment put in since our accident"
I" An accident! Did you have one?"
ooh, dear, yes-the most ridiculous
possible. Half way between the second
floor and the third the elevator stuck.
What was the matter exactly | have
liCNCl btth dOlC W
James has explained it several times;
but ] think the chain was clogged in
some way, and wouldn't work either up
or down. When it first stopped we
thought it some mistake and waited pa
tiently, but after minute James grew
uneasy. He twitched the rope, but all
to no purpose; then he began to cali,
hoping somebody below would hear us.
ave were so near the Peytons' floor
that we could see the light shining
through the glazed door at the top. 1t
was not dark; we could see each other
plainly. By-and. by we heard bells ring
ing below in distracted way, feet run
ming up stairs, and voices; then the door
at the top shot back, and some one called
out:
miss Blodgett, are you there p
"'Yes, / said; i wish wasn't.
What's the matter with the pull
leysl' called out James.
"'Oh, Alsop, you tooI 1t isn't the
pulleys, they say; it's something else.
But it's sure TO be all right in few
minutes; they've sent for man to come
and fix il.
II, Al. s.-o~ -. o1, ,Dro,,n1v