The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-10-20


catory justification. Well, then, you
say you have been. home three days, and
in those three days have thwarted ysu
in every thing you have proposed. You
certainly have made three requests
commands, if you will-which I have
seen fit to refuse; three questions so
manifestly absurd that no one but your
royal highness could have evolved them
from the depths of his inner conscious
ness. Pray don't interrupt or get ex-
cited. Your first request was that, on
the hottest OF summer mornings, l
should leave my guests entirely to their
own devices, and take wild gallop with
you under the fercest of suns, on a horse
had never mounted, and which is re-
ported to be a very ugly brute. Result
OF my veto, you go off enraged, and
sulk for the greater part of the day.
, Last evening you endeavored to per-
suade me to slip quietly away from the
company it was my duty to entertain, to
wander with you over the damp grass in
thin boots, at the imminent risk of a
sore throat; and this morning, with sub
lime assurance that really does you
credit, you ask me to bundle off my
guests as brusquely and unceremonious-
ly as possible, and with auntie and
your amiable self take flying cruise on
your yacht. How modest, how unas-
suming, how considerate of others
How impressed with the demands
of etiquette and proper politeness to
our visitors!"
"Perdition take the visitors!
"How refined and gentlemanly his
years of absence have made Mr..
Arnold |"
CT beg your pardon, Nelly that
slipped out accidentally. l see what
fool 1 have been to imagine that
young lady in modern society would re-
tain the affection she perhaps once
feebly felt during the absence of her
betrothed and how absurd it is in me
to ask opportunities for the old friendly
converse, the old interchange of thought
and feeling, the old days of love
and interest in each other. There was
time when the prospect of a cruise on
the Titania would have elected at least
expressions of delight. But the dream
has ended 1 have been awakened.
"Don't be absurd. Frank" said she,
q little softer and with a slight mist in
her eyes, which in his blindness he did
not see, as he arose and stood before the
window. "We are not the girl and boy
we were then, seeing nothing beyond
each other, sailing about in an enchant-
ed sea, and drinking deep draughts of
nectar, with no thoughts of the NOR
row. Very delightful it all was, l will
own but you must remember we have
now our duties to society to perform.
1 have social claims now that 1 had not
then, and which 10 avoid would argue
myself ill-bred. You have come back
expecting everything at once to run in
its old groove, and in your hot impetu-
osity making no allowance for added
years and changed circumstances. 1t
is you who is unjust, ungrateful, cruel.
But what can one expect from man
They are all alike-everything must
yield to their selfish egotism and if
anything does happen to cross their
humor, if we cannot yield them every
thing they desire, straightway, for
sooth, they become children, fly into a
passion, inveigh against everybody, and
finally go off in fit of the sulks."
"The tongues of mocking wenches
are keen as is the razor's edge invisi-
ble," he murmured, soto voce, then add
ing aloud, "Mr. Frank Arnold's COM
pliments to Miss Elinor Durand, and his
thanks, both on behalf of his sex and
himself, for her very aattering opinion.
And if Miss Durand has finished, and
can spare the time, and if the heat is not
too oppressive, and if there be positively
nothing she thinks she must do, and if
her attention to her guests can allow of
few moments more relaxation. MIR. Ar
mold would like to address her."
"Mr. Arnold has liberty to use Miss
Darand's time as he pleases."
He turned from the window and stood
before her. She looked up lazily, try
ing to appear nonchalant, but raging
inwardly. He bl oke forth fiercely:
"Nelly, three years ago, when was
but boy and you bright, fresh, inno-
cent, lovely girl, you won what there
was to win of my heart. and you loved
me in return. There were then no de-
ceit, no bowing to fashion, no yielding
to the heartless dictates of society; and
when, after weeks Of close intimacy, 1
told you loved you, asked } on to share
my life, laid my heart at your feet, and
urged you to return my affection, there
was no hesitation, no coquetry in you.
You didn't stop to think of prudence, of
what Mrs. Grundy might say; but
straight from the heart came the answer
you could not utter, but spoken by your
truthful eyes. We, boy Of 20 and
a girl of II, became engaged.
Then followed some weeks of enchant-
ment and delight, marred only by occa-
sional exhibitions of your willful obsti-
macy. Over this, we had one or two
quarrels; but you were kinder in those
days, and we loved each other, and, some
how, they were reconciled. Then we had
to part, and for three years we have talked
to each other only on paper. And
how those letters have cheered and en-
couraged and helped me For you I
have striven for you 1 have become
what am. Your bright image has been
ever before me your memory has kept
me pure in the midst of every tempta-
ton. Whatever success I may have had
is entirely due to your influence. Your
letters were like your old self, willful at
times, but, on the whole, sweet and de-