The true northerner., 1877-08-24
THE SECOND-BEST FRIEND.

Good dog. then Good dog !" said Alice
Millard, opening her eyes.
Hugo" said Alice. "why do you stay
here, close by me. when am asleep Is it
because you love me So? And when am
sad you feel sorry. know you do-sorry
when you can't understand"
Hugo Ia large Newfoundland dog sprang
up, putting his great paws on Miss Mil
lard white muslin dress Then she said.
good dog, love you better, a great deal
better, than 1 love him. and don't love
him at all, Pm sure don't And now | am
beginning to find out that he doesn't love
me !"
And Miss Millard began to cry, the great
tears falling down on the dogs shaggy
coat
She was a beauty and an heiress but
this latter condition her experience was
already teaching her to hold as a matter
of regret and now it seemed something
more than burst of gtrlish petulance, as.
with her head lying on Hugos, she wept
so bitterly.
Six months before, she had sat in that
same room eagerly anticipating the return
of Walter Bernard from Italy. He came,
Walter, the handsome boy y-lover now the
accomplished artist But, alas for the
anticipations of the warm-hearted girl!
Walter was changed. In place of the frank.
genial manner, was fashionable elegance,
but with it constraint that seemed to bar
out and utterly preclude all approach 10
the old confidence. Grieved and disap-
pointed, Alice had not thought till then
how much she cared for her old friend ;
but now she began to feel sure that he had
bestowed his affections on some one during
his absence. And one day, with trembling
heart, fearing to know the truth, she ven
tured to rally him on the subject of her
suspicion
Miss Milard,'' he said, Il should be
sorry if you really thought this. But you
will believe me when | say love my art,
and love, too, past memories. How dear
these recollections of the past are, can
never ex press
This was all he said Now, six months
had passed away, and Walter was still as
at first, but the polished visitor. In soci-
ETY. he was courted and flattered, but no
lady fair found the heart of the artist.
Meantime many suitors had sought the
hand of Alice and now at last there gilt
tered Oh her hand the engagement ring.
Did she believe when it was placed there
that Captain Philip Chester loved her?
She hoped So and hoping tried to believe.
Did she ask her own heart if she loved
him Alas when fair young girl whose
life should be all sunshine fears to ques.
ton her own heart. But what it was
when Philip was near, whether it were
tone or look that seemed to lay an icy
finger on her heart, she could not tell. Joy
seemed to be slipping away from her life
the buoyancy of youth was crushed az
nineteen.
Are you happy, Hugo?" she said,
looking into the dogs wistful eyes. I'm
glad that you are alive and that we are
friends. If you should die, good dog, how
lonely l should be ! should look at
your photograph, and remember how you
used TO come and sit by me when was
fast asleep, always faithful and you un-
derstand every word say to you only
wish some one-you know who mean
understood my heart as we'll as you do.
Hugo, tell me in little whisper, do you
think he cares anything for me? All!
but I've thought of something-Pve
thought OF something
Alice sprang up and commenced her
toilet, and an hour afterwards found her
entering the studio of Walter Bernard
"Mr. Bernard" she said, al am very
desirous of having portrait of Hugo.
Will you paint it for me? have been
thinking to-day, if he should die, how
glad | should be to have it,
Hugo, while his mistress said this was
testifying his affection without regard TO
the delicate fabric of her dress. Alice
stopped down and patted his head
"No one in the world loves me as he
does" she said "and | love him so
dearly"
Captain Philip Chester would have
twirled his mustache, and carclessly said,
Would to heaven that | were Hugo
But Walter Bernard said nothing of the
sort A thoughtful expression came up
on his face and then he told Miss Miilard
he felt honored that she had selected hun
TO put upon canvas the likeness of one she
loved 40 much.
al hope l shall please you" he said
"And Hugo, how is it ?" aud he patted the
dog afiectionately. "Are you good SIT
teri Let us see what position will suit
you best"
Hugo was placed upon large cushion
and assumed an attitude Of his own
"See how well he understands every
thing,you tell him." said Alice.
Does he2
"Yes. indeed; sometimes think lmust