Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-12-22


mind, and resumed his usual courteous
entertaining manner.
He had long loved Mamie Grey,
though he had been careful to conceal it
from her. He was very sensitive about
his crippled condition. and could not
bring himself to believe that it would
not be barrier to winning the beautiful
girls affections.
Lulu's speech, however, set him to
thinking. Was he doing foolish thing
in standing alOOf, and not trying his
chances? Perhaps her own trial-for
smile, it you will, be looked at it In that
serious light-might make her think
more lightly of his.
All! had he been better versed in the
caprice of a maiden's heart, he need not
have hesitated. That empty coat sleeve
was his surest passport 10 Miss Mamie's
favor. though in his utter freedom from
selt-cOnceit he had nearly misinterpret-
ed her shy evidence OF pleasure at his
frequent calls. But he suddenly turned
over new leaf. Invitations to concerts,
to rides behind his fleet footed bays, eX-
quisite bouquets came pou. ing in upon
her. and she soon learned to associate
him with all things enjoyable and beau
tiful.
One morning he called and invited her
out for drive: After a time they drew
up before handsome residence with a
conservatory at its side, whose flowers
of every kind and hue attracted the gaze
of passers-by.
Miss Mamie. would like to have you
see rare flower which spends its whole
Lifetime in preparing one blossom, then
fades and dies"
Rather an exacting blossom / think,
TO require its parents life still | should
like TO look at it. all the same"
A cOlored servant answered the col
Oners ring.
..Pomp, wish to show this lady the
conservatory. Tell the gardner to bring
the keys. Where's your master?"
''Sah 2" answered POmp in confusion.
'sHe's out, isn't he 2" This time the
tone was peremptOry.
20, yes, sab! out TO be sure"-"On the
steps, he added in an undertone.
"Well, it's all right" said the colonel
passing on. Pomp in great perplexiIy
hastened off for the gardner mutterins:
DE ways oh lie quality pass my stand
ing" ~,
Mamie uttered cry1of delight as she
entered the bower of Uloom and fra
GRANGE. and they spent pleasant hour
searching out and adniring the rare
blossoms, OF which the colonel knew the
name and pecu.iarities of every one, ..sud
described them in Il way which made
Mamie think him miracle OF ellterlain-
ig erudition.
Alter time silence fell upon them.
Mamie felt that the eyes which dwelt SO
persistently upon her face were brilliant
with All expression new to her. and UNI
wonted to them; and her heart tiuttered
like Il frightened bird when he took her
hand, and in low. deep tones told her OF
his love, and that life would be desert
without her sweet companionship.
As she listened, the knowledge came
10 her that her heart was In his keeping;
but maidrnly shyness kept her silent un-
til he spoke of the loss OF his arm 'ls Il
drawback. She interrupted him impul-
sively
That was your greatest attraction to
mc L would not love you halt so we'll
she stopped and blushed painfully, but
her lover drew her to him aud hid her
crimson cheeks upon his breast.
so you do love me? Bless you for
the precious confession. My life will be
all too short to fill yours with happiness
DO you know" said he suddenly. your
tiny niece has had a share in bringing
this TO pass? Had it not been for her
guilelcss child's revelation, should new
er have thought of offering you this bat
tered hulk"
Mamie looked up in surprise; visions
OF She knew not what fioated throu. b
her mind. She we'll knew of Lulu's DOW
ers OF observation and. ond ess of telling
her discoveries. What coulu she have
said? Her cheeks burned hotly. She
feared that some of her incautiOus praises
of the Colonel had been remember ed and
poured into his ear. She said euergeti-
cllly:
"What has Lulu been sgying?n
The Colonel reddened; but she insisted
oil having the speech which had had
such an important bearing on their rela-
tons, and ut last ne told her, saying she
might think it more serious than it real
ly was. For a moment she looked III
dignant. Then the amusing side strh ok
her, and peal on peal of silvery ringing
laughter greeted her astOnisheJ lovers
ears.
1t was some time before she could
command her voice. Then she made a
deep courtesy.
So you thought Lulu meant mel |
thank you kindly for investing me with
such unexpected attributes TO beauty
but shall have to occasion woeful dis
appointment. Lulu has another aunt
Mamie-her papa's sister. assure you,
Colonel, that every individual tooth in
my mouth if my own natural property
I've never even had one filleI.'' The
Colonel looked embarrassed, but he said:
81 still insist that Lulu deserves large
share of gratitude. 1t was happy mis-
take, and she shall have the largest doll
can find, with regular Flora McFlim-
sey wardrobe. Now, jesting aside-how
would you like to be mistress OF this
cOnservatOryw
"Why9 Do you think of buying it?"
''It's mine already; and house and
servants are waiting for MISTRESS
"Yours!" Mamie's blue eyes opened
wide with surprise. IL thought officers
always lived on their pay and were
poor"
Not always. A rich man can be pa
triOtic rs we'll as IA poor one: and though
can not work for my bride, can take
good care of her. Still, it is very pleas
ant to know that you thought in choos-
inga crippled lover you were fond of
him to be willing to enter upon lite Of
self-denial."
1t occasioned great commotion in
Mamie's home when the Colonel asked
permission to address her. Lulu
adopted him at once as her uncle, and
puzzled her brain considerably at the
quizzical way i'm which the Colonel
dwelt on the title of ssAunt Mamie and
at her young auntie's smiles and bushes
at what she, Lulu. considered the most
natural title I'm The world