The true northerner., 1876-05-05

mean real mani would rather be
Dick Latrobe without a dollar than
Royal Wheeler in the Governors
"Well, Nellie, all / have got t. say is.
that you are fool; there it il in good
plain Saxon, lust what / think"
" Never you mind the absurdity OF the
thing; will you help me in little
scheme ] have"
"Yes, il Il isl was going to say SEN
sible, but don't expect that aiter TINS
revelation-so / will say-if 1t Is pos
sible."
"Oh, yes, it is more than possible. l
laid the FIRST stones this morning, ano
in spite of the Seniors ardent Profes-
sions, found quite q good foundation ior
them"
"What do you meang"
"I must 90 back to last Sunday in or
der to enlighten you. After we parted
at the church. door, Mr.. Wheeler asked
me who you werel' You may be sure
/ did full Justice to your many graces
and accomplishments, with virtues top
ping all. This morning when he pro-
posed did not dare to refuse him point
blank, because of papa's anger so
told him would give him an answer In
a week, adding that my friendship for
Won demanded some delay, as / knew
you were very deeply smitten with his
perfections.
"Oh, Nellie, how could youg" cried
Carrie, in reproachful tone "but,
she added Immediately with very keen
interest, "what did Mr.. Wheeler say 2"
"Oh, he was immensely flattered,
cooled toward poor me very sensibly,
said 'you were splendid-looking girl,
besides volunteering other criticisms on
your appearance, which, by implication,
were not flattering to me, seeing that l
am your perfect antpodes."
Carrie listened attentively with a new
interest In Nellie's scheme, and a new
light in the great dark dreamy eyes.
"Now," Nellie went on, "what have
got to say is this-pitch your tent here,
and storm this pillar of the State with
the witchery of your beauty and the flat
terry of your tongue look your sweet
est, sing your best, feed him on fattery
morning, noon and evening-above all,
listen to him, and in week you will
have beat me, and shall ever be your
grateful and much obliged friend Nellie
Marvin"
"The arrangement suits me to Z !;
but are you sure you know what you are
doing9"
"Quite sure"
"Shake hands, then, over it. l am to
cut you out that is understood between
us, eha"
"'Tis so nominated in the bond," an.
| IL hnV cI,, off
and calling her maid to help them dress
| for dinner.
After dinner, Nellie, with some unin-
telligible excuse, left the Senator to
Carries enchantments f; and if anybody
had looked carefully for her ten minutes
afterward, they would have found her
with Dick Latrobe at their usual trysting
place, in the pecan grove at the bottom
of the garden. And it needed but a
moments glance into the dark hand
some face, alive with intense feeling and
open as sunshine but one glance at the
magnificent physique, clothed as it was
with an almost visible sense of power
and command, to thoroughly understand
and sympathize with Nellie's estimate of
her two lovers.
Meantime Carrie was improving her
opportunity. She knew perfectly all
her good points, and she threw herself
into the capture of the Senator with all
the enthusiasm of her nature. She soon
discovered that, to hear himself talk was
the most subtle pleasure this wise legis-
lator was capable of enjoying so she
him to seat himself on the vine-shaded,
low, broad steps and placed herself just
so far below him as enabled her to flash
up into his face the marvellous light of
her splendid eyes.
She asked him all about Washington
and The great North |; she got him to de-
scribe the Senate house and all his own
duties she sympathized in all his trials,
and the shameful want of appreciation
peculiar to constituents she was full of
wonder and admiration, as the case re.
quired. Senator Wheeler went to sleep
that night quite convinced that she was
the most sensible women he had ever
met in his life he even found himself
comparing her purple-black hair. creamy
complexion and wildly red lips with
Nellie's fairer beauty. L don't say that
he ventured yet on decided opinion.
That night, as Nellie was uncoiling
her soft brown hair, and brushing out
its tangled curls, Carrie put her piquant
little face into her room and said
I" Veni, Uidi, Uici Il came, / saw, 1
conquered, dear please congratulate
me-"
"Come in, Carrie, you good deliverer!
/ knew you could do it."
And Carrie came in then this coun-
Gil of two sat till near midnight slipping
coffee and arranging further plans of
operation.
1t was the evening of the third day
after Carries arrival she was playing
chess with the Senator, and Nellie was
leaning against the open door which led
on to the western veranda, watching,
with love-haunted eyes, the pecan grove
where Dick Latrobe would have been
waiting her, if Dick had been in the
nei9hborhood. But Dick had gone TO
the next town for his mems rations, and
the tlysting place was vacant, she knew.
Suddenly Mr.. Marvin entered the
room. with a very anxious, troubled face.
Nellie" he said, "coine here
want you"
Her fathers look and words shot an
appalling fear to Nellie's heart but