The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-09-15

self at the edge of considerable clear
ing, whore in. the gathering dusk she
pguished what vshe took - be q
saw mill, and 1t q little distance two OF
three dwelling houses. Before she had
hardly time to collect her thoughts, Bar
ney had cleared the space between them
and the gate of the largest of these lat
ter, where he proclaimed their presence
by another resounding neigh.
"Well done, sir, said Katy. "You've
announced me very becomingly, must
say!" And then, after waiting o Few
moments, she continued, suiting the ac'
ton to the word, "Well, as no one
seems disposed to appear, think LII
dismount and go in !"
She knocked twice or thrice at the
open door, and receiving no answer,
stepped inside out Of the rain, whisper
ing to herself as she did so, land the
old bears were not at home
A supper table, neatly laid for one
person, stood ia the middle OF the room,
and at one side there was parlor organ;
open and with variety of sheet music
scattered over the keys. Katy was
seized with an insane desire to seat her.
self and play tune but before she
had time to do so wild thing, she
heard strong springing step outside, a
glad Whitney from Barney, and CHEEKY
Hello, old fellow You hen 2" in re-
ply. "By and by the old bears came
home" thought Katy, and smiled, as a
portly figure darkened the doorway, and
the same CHEEKY voice that had greeted
Barney, said, Good-evening l sup
pose there's some one here-it's too
dark to see. I'll have light directly.
I've just been out to get my daily allow
ance of milk. My housekeeper has
left me alone for few days, and / am
enjoying the luxury of waiting upon
myself. / like it well enough, but get
a trihe behind hand with my culinary
operations sometimes"
Talking on in this strain, he pro-
ceeded to light the lamp, and placing it
upon the table, he turned toward his
guest ; and then Katy saw that he was a
man of apparently 40 years of age, with
a somewhat forid face, clean shave ex-
cepting the upper lip, which was COW
cred by heavy mustache of light brown,
a full, keen blue eye, nose slightly
aquilne, hair a shade darker than the
mustache, and altogether, whae she pro-
nounced a decidedly handsome man,
though rather stout in figure.
A slight shadow of surprise crossed
his face at encountering lady and a
stranger. Surprise, however, quite I'M
mixed with displeasure and surely the
man must be misanthrope past saliva
ton, who could feel displeasure at sight
of Katy's bright dark face at this tire,
flushed and eager, with a dash of anxi-
ETY., embarrassment and fun visible in
the brown eyes and fine mobile features
Lifting his hat, he bowed, and then
hastily bringing forward chair, asked
her to be seated.
Thanks, no." she replied, and then
in a few words made him acquainted
with her situation, adding 81 trusted
to Barney there to take me home, and
he has brought Lie here instead. Could
you oblige me by sending some one to
guide me to my uncle's, Mr.. William
Dare 2"
Mr.. Dare's! Tonight" exclaimed
the gentleman, whose name, by the way,
was DIR. Ray-Katy learned it later
" DO you realize, young lady, that you
are fifteen miles from Mr.. Dare's, and
that it is raining unlimited numbers of
those traditional cats and dogs, and
will continue to do so all night, proba-
bly,"
Fifteen miles !" echoed Katy, aghast.
" What will auntie think has become of
me? That unprincipled brute must have
come straight here"
Doubtless he did," was the reply.
" He has the bad taste to prefer his old
master to his new one. / sold him
to MIR. Dare a year ago or so, and
he takes every opportunity that offers
to pay me visit. Hear the rascal whin-
ney-"
Excuse me, interrupted Katy, "bGt
must return instantly. Is there some
one whom you can send with me 2"
Certainly, if your going tonight is
inevitable. l will go myself-there is
no one else l would like to send. But
my advice is, that you content yourself
to remain here till morning. Your
uncle's people are well aware of Barney's
little weakness-strange they should not
have warned you against it; they know
where you ore, and that you are safe,
depend upon it, replied the doctor.
But l fear" said Katy, not at all
pleased with the idea of spending the
night in strange house, alone with
strange man, though the other alterna-
tive of riding fifteen miles through the
pines with him had less attractive feat
utes still. 81 fear that 1 shall incon-
venie nee you too much, as you are quite
alone. There are other houses near, /
believe; could not be accommodated at
some one of them with less trouble p
"There is but one place in this imme-
date neighborhood where you could be
even tolerably entertained, and that is at
the h use of my head sawyer-and un-
it would be very inconven-
lent it not impossible for them to take
you in tonight, two of the family being
i'll; but there is farm
houss y ,me two miles further along,
VIII 10 10 doubt you could find s. elter
md welcome, and L will accompany
you there with pleasure, if you persist
IN refusing to remain my guest which
| sine, rely hope you will not do. as
sure yon that so far from your incom.
moding Inc you will confer favor upon
Ia. A.