The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-09-22

magnetic golden hair that seemed to
make halo round her head, ana saucer
blue eyes, and a mouth like a Cupid 8
bow. Nellie Wylde. the second woman
who loved Montague Garthorn, met him
now for the first time, with her bright
baby-face covered with bushes, and with
her tiny hands held out to him to help
her lift on to the seat large parcel she
had with her.
I" 1t is new dress / have bought at
Westbourne Grove" she told him, "and
am going to SIT up to make it to go to
bal"
He was charmed with the simplicity
of the child, as he considered her, and
condescendingly asked her her age.
Seventeen, soOn," she answered.
And then all the color seemed to die out
of her cheeks and leave her very pale.
He watched her for some time, and then
her merry voice broke his reverie by
saying:
"I have been i'll; this is the first time
L have been out. Father would scarcely
let me come; but wanted my dress so
much;" and then, without waiting for any
remark from Mr.. Garthorn, she asked if
he had ever been to ball, and what
they were like.
"Yes, child, many. Good-by. This
is my station"
1t is mine, too," Nellie answered.
"and father said ne would meet me and
carry my parcel home"
What less could Montague do than
assist her to alight and carry her parcel
upstairs and then, not finding any one
/ H|x- I,n,. l.A 81 IL
than offer to carry it home. And in that
little walk how his heart went out to
this child, who had not an idea beyond
the moments pleasure, who found life
so bright, although her father kept a
chemists shop in back street and let
lodgings! Why not leave her as she is,
happy, young, heart-whole, and in
smooth water9 Why force her into
stormy weather, when she is now SO
safe9 But already the harm is done,
and Montague is fascinated fatally by
this child, in whose nature there is no
depth, and who could never feel any
thing, whether of pain or Joy, with half
the keenness that Opal can.
The beautiful blue eyes look without
finching into his, as she MARBLES forth
an invitation to come and have supper.
"We are not grand; we only have
watercresses in the shop-parlor.
He goes in, and Nellie Wylde's father
thanks him, and the back parlor is para-
disc, the watercresses food for the gods,
the theater forgotten and as he looks
at and listens to Nellie, Opal, in the
cool back drawing-room, has become q
thing of the past.
"What ball are you going to, Miss
Wylde9"
"At Aunt Mary's their first floor is
empty, and they are going to have a
dance. Call me Nellie-every one does ;
it seems too grown up to call me Miss
Wylde.
"That is not a real ball but if you
would like to go to one of the best halls
in London, I will take you to Willis
Rooms tomorrow night"
"Oh, father, say YES" said Nell,
as she threw her arms round his neck.
CT don't know what is right to say"
ruminated Mr.. Wylde "only as you
have very little pleasure and no mother,
perhaps it would not be any HARM"
So II was settled that beautiful, bright
Nellie was to make her first entry into
London society.
Montague ut last tore himself away
from the enchanted chemists shop.
Now came the time to think-to think
of what he had done. OF course, it was
too late to go to the tbeeter in fact,
everything seemed too late, now that the
door of Mr.. Wylde's house was shut.
What had he done9 Promised to take
Nellie to ball, and he was engaged to
go to dinner-party with Opal What
should he do2 Go home, and make the
best of his dilemma. Next morning,
Montague knew something must be
done so he got his writing materials,
and intended to write to Nellie to tell
her he could not take her to the ball
but directly he began, the vision of those
blue eyes filed with tears, and that
smiling mouth pouting, was too much
for him, 80 he changed his mind, and
wrote briefly to Opal "that unforeseen
circumstances prevented him going out
to dinner with her tomorrow. Opal is
80 good-natured, she won't mind" He
thought little of her breaking heart
though he thought 80 much of tearfu
blue eyes.
Nellie and Mr.. Garthorn went to the
ball and enjoyed it. Nellie looked love
ly in her fresh white muslin dress anc
Montague's gift of real flowers. Wher
he left her at home, he longed for th,
moment when he should see her next
On his return, he found letter from
Opal, full of tender regrets at his ab
sence, and assurances of her love. H,
resolved never to see Nellie again, anG
to marry Opal as soon as possible. How
easy il is to make resolutions at night
and how difficult to carry them out il
! the broad day
} The following afternoon, Mr.. Garthorl
J ct lied at Opal's, and left his card, for h
found her out. Then what more natura
: than he should see how Nellie was afte
her dissipation2 He found her at home
beautiful, blushing, charming, full O
: gratitude for the pleasure of the ball
! and winning as only those childish VIC
: men with big blue eyes can be.
Her father was in the shop 30 the
, were alone, and before Montague kne'
what he was doing, he had avowed hi
} passion to Nellie, and she had confesse
; that she was every fond of him and {
, balls at Willis's rooms"