The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-05-25
A TRAGEDY OF CROFTON WOODS.

A young lady, with streaming black
hair and great purple-black eyes, was
standing with clasped hands in the door
way of a pretty country house. With
head bent forward, and lips parted, she
listened and peered through the shrub
berry as if expecting some one. A step
sounded on the gravel walk at last, and
q tall form came hurriedly forward in
the twilight. The lady in the doorway,
Calista Langdon, shrank back little in
the hall, and the eager. anxious look
passed from her. Her white hands un-
clasped, and she changed her position of
inquiry and watchfulness to an attitude
of perfect ease and indifference. She
plucked at a blood-red rose that grew
and dropped over the door.
"Good evening Mr.. Holliston," she
called out, in q pleasant, musical voice,
g have been looking and watching for
Alice"
She dropped her eyes as she uttered
these words, which were false, but in an
instant after, flashed them upon Herman
Holliston in all their bewitching splen-
dor.
Careful and thoughtful, as usual,
Calista," said the young man, springing
to her side and taking her hand. "Where
has Alice gomez
"She went over to see Miss Prudence.
a short time ago, and said she would be
home at sunset; she will be here shortly,
L think. Come into the parlor, Her
man; / have O bunch of water-lilies
there, your favorite flowers"
THANK you, Calista," said the young
man, little uneasily; 81 think I'll go
across the field to meet Alice; then 1
shall be most happy to see the lilies
when we return"
Il dark shadow fitted across the face
of Calista Langdon her eyes flashed
with baleful light, but she said, very
calmly, as she plucked at the petals of
the blood-red rose in her hand, 81 pre-
sumo Alice will be glad to have COM
pany across the lonesome field"
Herman Holliston ran down the steps,
and walked hurriedly along. He looked
behind him, and waved his hand towards
Calista, smiling pleasantly as he passed
under the great elm trees which grew on
each side of the gravel walk. He had
gone but few rods in the green fields
before he met Alice Gray, a delicate,
blue-eyed maiden, with long, golden
hair, and slender, graceful form.
AS they were walking back to the
house, Herman drew the young girl
under the shadow of a great elm tree !;
and, with the moonbeams struggling
through the leaves and sitting down
upon them, he asked her to be his wife.
Obtaining her blushing consent, he
placed the betrothal ring on her finger.
With hearts OVERLOOKING with happi-
ness, they returned to the house, and
found Calista awaiting them at the door.
Give us your blessing, Calista," said
Herman, as, clasping the hand of Alice,
they stood before the queenly form of
Miss Langdon. "Alice has promised to
be my wife," he continued land, to
make our happiness complete, we want
your approval.
Calista Langdon staggered back into
the hall, her face blanching as white as
death but in an instant she was calm
and composed, and held out both hands
to them.
eff that is all you need," she said,
"it shall not be denied you. Ny APP
proval is given most heartily" She
drew them into the house as she said
bll0s LhO NCN ID
added "come into the parlor.'
They followed her; and, entering the
prettily FURNISHED room, sat down side
by side ON a sofa near the open window.
Calista Shutdown for few moments, then,
graciously bidding them goodnight, she
retired from the room, leaving the lovers
alone.
"Once L thought it was Calista you
loved" said Alice, timidly, when they
were alone.
at was dazzled, Mt first, by her
beauty" he replied, "but my infatua-
ton soon passed away when 1 came to
know you and now one ringlet of your
golden hair has greater charm for me
than all OF Calista's surprising beauty
She is very kind to you though, Alice I;
and I love her as a friend"
"Calista has changed much of late, +"
said Alice "she once was so cold and
unapproachable, L almost feared her ;
now She is so gentle and kind to me that
L love her dearly"
While these two lovers sat conversing
happily together, the subject OF their