The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-04-14

wen, Will t1ih W Asccp Dsss
not now. 1 go away next week Tor the
summer, and i had rather leave so I'M
portant conversation until return.
| With this. as Mrs. Hepburn was known
to remain firm in all her plans, Mrs.
Harkner was forced to be content ana
the next week Mrs. Hepburn left the
city, without giving her summer address
to her dear niece.
II might have somewhat astonished
that lady. had she looked into the pri-
waite sitting room of Mr.. Holt, the prin-
cipal Of Green Valley seminary, in the
early part of July, to see Mrs. Hepburn
conyersing with that gentleman, evident
ly upon the footing OF an old friend.
Gentle Mrs. Holt knitted busily, speak
ing now and then, as Mrs. Hepburn pur-
sued a train OF inquiries.
eyes" Mr.. Holt said, in answer to
one of these. miss Seabright is an
orphan, and her only home for years
was the alms-house. SIZE came here first
as an errand girl, to attend the door,
clean knives and run errands. But Mrs.
Holt found she was starving for educa-
ton. and we took her into the school
She well repaid all the efforts we made
to educate her, and at sixteen was pu.
pil teacher, studying the higher branches
while teaching the lower ones. Two
years ago she took the place as Mrs.
Hollis assistant, with the usual salary"
"She is we'll educated, what more 7"
ga gentle, refined Lady," said Mrs.
Holt; ga conscientious, noble woman
have never met girl for whom felt
more respect, as well as affection.
"Will you lend her to me for the holi-
daysa am going to take trip to the
White Mountains, Niagara and Canada,
and want a pleasant companion. will
pay the same salary she now receives. .
"What treat for Edna" cried Mrs.
Holt "We will gladly lend her for
such pleasant summer, Mrs. Hepburn.
Shall introduce her nowl"
She left the room as Mrs. Hepburn
assented, and returned in few minutes
with tall, graceful girl of about twenty.
The first sight of her face excused Rob
to his aunt's heart. 1t was so delicately
fair and sweet, yet with noble dignity
of expression, that won the old lady to
Rob's side at the outset. r
A short conversation, during which
the lovely face grew radiant at the pros
poets Mrs. Hepburn offered, completed
the conquest the first look had gair ed.
As soon as Edna could get ready the
two left Green Valley, and started upon
summer of delightful travel.
Wholly unconscious of the close scru-
tiny of every word and action, Edna Sea-
bright, with q warm gratitude, devoted
herself to her new employer.
Though she looked no further than to
the fall, to break the pleasant compan-
ionship, she made every effort to Tighten
the hours of intercourse and make her
self useful to Mrs. Hepburn.
She appreciated keenly the perfect
equality of position, accorded her from
the first, knowing web the attentions of
Mrs. Hepburns friends, frequently en-
countered, would never have been so
cordially extended had she been intro
duced as "my companion" instead of
the gentle words:
"My young friend, Miss Seabright. "
She was of a sunny, bright tempera-
ment, and even the discomforts of travel
lost half their annoyance in her pleasant
manner of meeting them.
In the delightful resting plAces where
they sojourned for a week at time, Mrs.
Hepburn found all the well-known spots
took new beauty when shared with her
new companion, whose frank delight
was as pleasant as child's to behold.
She dressed simply, even within her
means, but had an artistic taste that
y made the plain garments ever suitable
a and becoming, while her few ribbons
suited her young beauty better than
3 je wells.
, When she found Mrs. Hepburn weary
with long ride or hours of railway jolt
ing, she could soothe her to the sweetest
rest by singing, as she gently smoothed
the silver hair, or caressed the withered
hands.
With ali her train of cringing relatives
il was something new to the old lady to
receive loving service. She had made
no further engagement with Edna, had
held out no golden promises, but by
, gentle kindness she had won the girls
warm heart to an enthusiastic affection.
1t was no thought of salary or future
favors that Edna Seabright gave daugh-
: ter's tenderest care to the old lady who
was giving her the novel happiness of a
summer pleasure trip. She was sorry to
! think of the parting soon to come but
she meant to prove her gratitude by
CNCiJ lONihS NCNiOO, WhhO ono Woo SsAh
Mrs. Hepburn's companion.
And Rob. Harkner, in his law Office in
town, found no consolation in legal
; studies for the keen pang of disappoint-
} ment he had experienced when Mrs. Holt
told him Miss Seabright was travelling
for the summer, and mad no permanent
| address,
"Aunt Maria, off, too, nobody knows
where, the young man thought discon-
solately, $50 might as well go back to
town.
Which no did, thereby receiving ut the
earliest moment n delicately written let
ter from Mrs. Hepburn, dated Boston,
begging him to meet her Mt the T
house and escort her home.
"Odd," he muttered, latter running
: about all summer alone, she cannot come
from Bo ston without an escort"
But with Rob, to hear his great aunt's
wishes was to obey them, and the next
train found him Fastening to Boston.
He found his aunt sitting in private
sitting room of the hotel from which she
hal written, rocking herself and mus
ing. He judged that her meditations