The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-01-01

| ter and to the wealthy uncle from whom
he had expectations and her ankle ty
that they should think well of her cul-
minated in the inquiry, "What shall l
wear y
1t was no use discussing this question
with her betrothed. She knew he
would say that nothing could be in bet
ter taste than the well-ftting dark
merino that had been her best dress
since the commencement of the autumn.
But Lottie had her share of girlish van
ity, and as she raised her eyes to her
looking-glass vision rose before her of
a certain dove-colored silk in MERGERS
window near st. Paul's that would be-
come her admirably. 1t was true that
such an expensive purchase would alb
sorb every farthing in her possession,
but she chose to ignore this. So strong
grew the temptation that when Lottie
went that evening to visit her mother
she fingered long at the MERGERS win
dow, and decided that on the morrow
the dove-colored silk should be her own.
The children threw down their books
and toys when Lottie entered, for they
loved her dearly, and Mrs. Warde,
though she had been wearing avery anx-
ious face, as she stitched busily at
some childish garment, contrived to
smile at her eldest daughter, who, how
ever, was not easily deceived.
Something has gone wrong, moth
er, L am sure of it by your looks. What
is it 2"
Nothing you can alter, dear moth
! ing, III fact, that / ought to dwell upon.
heard, by chance, that the man
/ through whose roguery your father
failed has returned to England, and is
in prosperous circumstances; and it
worried me for little while to think
that my excellent upright husband
went to his grave in sorrow and power
/ ty, while this dishonest man holds up
his head and grows rich but it was only
for minute, child" and Mrs. Warde
smiled now with less effort. 81 know
to whom have committed my cause,
and l will not murmur ut anything He
wills"
Lottie kissed the placid speaker
affectionately, but she was not as SYM
pathetic as usual. Her little sisters
hung about her, wondering whether
they should have a Christmas pudding,
and one of them blurted out fact
hitherto concealed that mother did not
go to church on Sunday till evening
service because her shawl was so shah
by. Lottie slid her hand into the
pocket where lay her little purse, but
drew it back again, telling herself that
she could not possibly go to visit Char
lies friends meanly dressed and when
the youngest child climbed on her knee
and frankly asked what she was going
to bring him for a Christmas present,
he was set down again and so sharply
told not to tease that Mrs. Warde's
mild eyes were raised in surprise.
81 beg pardon, mother" said her
daughter, coloring under the reproof
the look conveyed. 81 am afraid / am
rather stupid this evening. What were
you saying about Robert ?-he is elect
ed pupil teacher at his school. Of
course he isl knew he would be he
has worked SO hard for it. dear, good
boy !" and she ran across the room to
kiss the studious lad, who warmly re-
turned her caresses.
"Then you're glad of it, Lottie ? So
am I, only think mothers bothered a
bit about the books / shall want"
Will they cost much ?" asked his
sister,
"Well, dear, it seems much to per-
sons of our limited income" Mrs.
Warde replied. "And he must have o
new suit of clothes. But l hope to
manage it without running into debt, if
you can help me a little.
Lottie did not speak, and her mother
thoughtfully added, "The girls will
have to do without the new hats L
promised them; and baby's pelisse
must last another winter; and"
But here her daughter stopped her
by pettishly saying, "Oh, mother
pray don't tell us of any more wants
they seem endless. How miserable it
is to be so poor how sick of contriv-
ances and makeshifts you must be. l
know / am. And somehow the children
always seem to'need most when one has
least to spare.
CT did not know you were in that
predicament, dear, or / would not have
spoken SO plainly" Mrs. Warde re-
piled "but don't let it worry you,"
she added, with the cheerful air that
covered multitude ofanxious thoughts;
"we shall manage very well, | dare
say"
Lottie went away with her money
still in her pocket, but with load at
her heart-half shame, half selfish ILL.,
humor-whieh was not lessened by
standing at the mercer's window for
another half hour before She went back
to Sir Johns. While her gaze was
fixed on the silk. her rebellous spirit
was murmuring at the difficulties of her
position. 1t was so hard that she
should always be hampered with the
home cares. Other young people could
spend their salaries on themselves,
while her purse had such constant calls
upon it that there was nothing left for
herself and mother was not thoughtful
of her; she never seemed to remember
that girl of her age would naturally
wish to be smart, especially when she
visited persons in better circumstances
than herself.
Miss Dayton wanted some trihe
brought from her own room that even-
ing, and Lottie had executed her COM
mission and was retreating, when the
voice of Sir John, who was reading the
evening paper, arrested her. Dear
me how sad these cases are one new
L 4 II