The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-12-17

herself, had long retired from business
with large income, and while he gave
Raymond cordial welcome, had no OPP
portunity to aid in finding occupation.
And Bertha Haines, the friend from
whom Raymond parted two years before,
in this renewed intercourse became TO
him more than ever was friend before.
/ They had not thought of love in the
days when the girl was a debutante i'll
society, and Raymond one of its favorite
l,eaux; but when they met, after the
long parting, some new emotion stirred
both hearts. They did not know what
made the hours pass so quickly when
they were together, nor recognize the
subtle charm that dwelt for each III the
others presence, for many week.
Raymond was the first to awaken TO
the knowledge that love was the charm
that bound him to Bertha's side when
ever she was present; that il was love
that made her eyes, the dark, sparkling
eyes, so beautiful in their expression;
that love tuned her voice so musically;
that love made her the dearest of all wo-
men III his eyes.
Amabel was delighted. Bertha was
one of her own fast friends, and Bertha's
father n merchant of standing and in
fuence. Aside from this the girl had
inherited money from her mother Al
together, Amabel decided the match
would be charming. But hint TO that
effect met one of Raymond's sternest
frowns, such as had never visited his face
in the old amusing days.
"Never speak of it again. Amabel, J"
he said, q am no fortune hunter to live
upon the money of a rich wife. I'll
carve ont my own way first.
But carving his own way proved tedi-
ous work till, desperate at his many fail
ures, he accepted position, offered in
Jest, of driver TO an express wagon.
81 do understand horses," he said,
elf / cannot sell goods or keep books. !"
1t proved harder work, however, than
in the first flush of his desperation he
had imagined. Not the mere work; that
he soon conquered; but the Sights,
rudeness, and stares of his old friends.
Some few recognized the true nobility
that accepted honest labor rather than
an easy dependence upon wealthy CON
nections, but these were few.
A week passed, when one morning,
delivering some goods at one of the most
fashionable stores on Broadway, as he
went out, Raymond saw Bertha Haines
opening the door of her low carriage.
An impulse made him start forward to
hand her out, only to draw back crimson
with confusion and drop the hand
he was lifting to raise his hat. The
sweet musical voice he loved spoke at
once:
Please, Mr.. Thmston, help me with
this obstinate door. 1t will stick"
He went forward, then, with all the
easy grace of manner that had ever
marked his intercourse with ladies. The
little gloved hand was extended TO meet
his as she thanked him.
Z" 1t is too bad you are engaged" she
said. 81 should like to borrow your
artistic eye to aid me in selecting dress
for my reception on Thursday evening
But you will come and tell me how / sue
ceeded alone, will you not Z"
She said the last words very earnestly,
raising her dark eyes to his face.
"Do you really wish me to come
now z" he asked.
! 81 do!
"Then will come Imust say good
morning." and he left her with a most
courteous bow.
But while the great express wagon
ratified down the streets, Miss Haines
turned away from the store she had
been entering and re-entered her car
riage.
"To my father's," she said to the
driver, and q few moments later the
merchant looked up from his ledgers to
see his only child, in faultless walking
dress, entering the counting house.
"Another check !" he said, moving a
" Nothing! i want to talk to you.
Shut the door SO these horrid men cant
hera me.
The door was closed, and privacy in the
sanctum secured. Bertha astonished her
paternai relative by bursting into pas
sion OF weeping.
"Why, Bertha ~ he cried.
Never mind, papa. 1t is all ovel
now. Do you remember what you said
to me when Raymond Thurston asked
for some employment here p
"Not exactly"
81 do. You said that man brought
up as he had been would want a sine
cure; that he never would come down tC
real work, and that You had no position
for fine gentlemen; that his offer to take
a subordinate position and learn busi
ness was simply farce"
"Did say all that, Bertha 2"
"To me you did. L suppose you dis
missed him politely enough. But, papa
if you thought he was really in earnest
really meant to work for living, woulC
you give him chance here? 2"
"Yes. He has capacity, brains, and
splendid address. But he has been al
idler all his life"
"He is no idler now. lie is driving
an express cart.
Bertha !"
"He is. j met him not an hour ago
He thought was going to cut him. A
if" she added, with magnificent scorn
CT would slight an old friend in adver
sity."
"Bless my soul Driving an express
wagon Ned Thurston's boy Educa
ted at Harvard Dear me Did yoI
notice whose wagon it was, Berthal"
tl.n II.