The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-01-29

peth, snould glory IN becoming an
offeringp p
But Lizzy, apparently unappreciative
of the great lot in store for her, cried
more piteously than ever
clears will not melt me," said Mrs.
Dewsford, calmly resuming the Ency-
clopedia. "I only regret to be the
mother of so degenerate a daughter u
Mamma" ventured poor Lizzy,
after few minutes of silent grieving;
"I-I promised Charley to ride out
with him this afternoon y
"You must give him up, Elizabeth.
Upon such subject can accept no
compromise y
"But promised, mamma !"
Mrs. Dewsford gravely rubbed the
end of her nose.
"A promise is a promise, Elizabeth !;
nor shall 1 require of you to break it. !"
(Here Elizabeth visibly frightened }
"But shall accompany you !" (The
pretty face became clouded and over
cast once more) "Where are you
going?'
"To the woods beyond the glen,
mamma. Charley is going to get some
wood sorrel for my herbarium."
Nor will the expedition be unproft-
able to me-" said Mrs. Dewsford,
gravely. "There are many choice varie-
ties of Adiantum and Asplenium TO be
found in those woods, and my collec-
tion of native ferns is as yet incom-
plete.
And Lizzy went away in great con-
sternation-not to read reports, nor to
study paleontology, but to slip out in
the garden, where great rose-tree car
peted the velvet grass with showers of
soft pink petals at every passing
breath of air, and where Charley Ev-
erett was busted in cutting out sticks
for carnations.
ooh, Charley-Charley l am so
miserable p
"Lizzy, what is the matter ?"
He dropped knife, sticks, and all, in
dismay at her woful countenance and
Lizzy told him to the bestof her ability
what "the mattec" was.
lis that all ?" he asked quietly, when
the recital was concluded.
Isn't that enough ?" she rejoined,
piteously. "When we were going to
have such nice drive all 10y ourselves,
and then come home by moonlight,
and -"
Don't fret, cara mia; it will be all
right So she won't consent to our
marriage, eh p
She says most positively that she
will not"
"What shall we do, Lizzy? Shall
we elope quietly?"
"Oh, Charley, you know / would
never marry without her consent !"
"And are two lives to be made misera-
BILE just because she thinks matrimony
mistake ?" he asked, gravely.
I" suppose so, Charley"
Lizzy Dewsford's pretty head dropped
like rose in the rain. Charley watched
her quivering lip and tear-wet eye
lashes, and said no more.
Mrs. Dewsford was ready, with q
preposterous green umbrella to keep off
the sun, tin case to put ferns in, and
an extra pair of boots, in the event of
swampy walking, when Mr.. Everett's
little light phaeton drove up to the
door. The springs creaked ominously
as she stepped in /; and Lizzy, meekly
following, was nearly overwhelmed by
her mothers voluminous draperies.
a." / had better sit in the middle-it
preserves the equilibrium of the vehicle
better" said Mrs. Dewsford, wedging
herself in between Lizzy and Mr..
Everett with a smile of great compla-
cency.
And she Immediately began. discours.
ing on the properties and habits of the
fern, with unpausing volubility, while
/ t. ,,0~al,n1 4hn
edge of the seat, had all she could do
to keep in the vehicle, and Mr.. Everett's
eyes were in extreme danger with the
points of the green umbrella, which
veered to and fro like ship in storm,
as Mrs. Dewsford's tale waxed in in
terest.
Suddenly she checked herself, as her
eyes caught cluster Of green waving
vegetation on the crest-like point of
rock which overhung the road.
"Charles ! Charles " she cried,
"stop a minute Can't you reach that
Asplenium Ebenum?"
&c Is this it, ma'am ?" said Mr.. Ever
ett, making a dive at a tall stalk of
something.
"No, no; not that-the little green
thing with the black stem !"
"This, ma'am?" bazarded Charley,
clutching at R fat-leaved cluster of
weedy growth"
"Oh, dear, dear Charles, how stupid
you are - sighee Mrs. Dewsford. "I'll
Jump out and get it myselfp
Mamma !" demonstrated Lizzy.
"Oh, I'll help herl" nodded Charley,
springing nimbly on the cliff, and pull
ing Mr.. Dewsford by main force up
the steep side of the rock. Here you
are, ma'am J"
"Yes," painted Mrs. Dewsford F;
but-but it was very steep. / really
think women should devote more atten-
ton to gymnastics. Oh, here's the
Asplenium-very choice specimens, too.
Charles, where are you going?'
For Mr.. Everett had sprung back
into the phaeton.
Only for little turn, maam, while
you are collecting your botanical treas
ures."
Eyes, but, Charles"
Mrs. Dewsford's words of remon-
STRANGE were drowned in the rattle of
the wheels, as Mr.. Everett drove briskly
away, with Lizzy nesting up to his