The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-05-25

eyes flashing with anger and evil deter
mination.
"They shall never be united" she
said. in hoarse whisper. ".Never |!
never I will stab her to the heart first.
Herman Holliston shall marry me yet.
III that little dough-faced Alice had not
crossed my path he would be mine now.
/ was a fool to come here, but / little
thought Herman Holliston was man to
turn from my dazzling beauty to that
baby faced Alice. She shall never be his
wife. L swear it y
Until nearly morning she paced her
room, forming plans to prevent the mar
riage of the man she loved and her pref
ty cousin Alice. She had met Herman
Holliston the past winter, in London,
and he had shown her marked attention.
But when the warm days of June came,
she left town to spend the summer
months with her cousin Alice, who was
an orphan, and lived with maiden aunt
in beautiful country-house.
Herman Holliston had followed her,
taking up his abode at the hotel in the
nearest town, and calling often at the
house. He became acquainted with
Alice, whom to know was to love. Calista
soon lost all charms for him; and it was
not long before he asked the golden
haired country maiden TO be his wife.
We have already told the result, and the
effect which the betrothal had upon Ca
lista Langdon.
A week after the engagement ring had
been placed upon Alice's finger, she was
sitting in the library, reading, one love-
ly afternoon, when Calista entered; and,
bending over her, she kissed her on both
cheeks, and said, "Come, Alice, let us
have a ride on horseback. Iwant to &c
up to Crofton woods; it will be magni-
ficent there to-day. Shall order the
horses ?"
eyes, do, Calista," said Alice. CT am
glad you proposed it; it is so dull now
Herman is gone"
"Foolish girl" said Calista, "he has
only been gone one day, and you expect
him back tomorrow. But girls will be
foolish. So be ready as soon as posi-
BILE, Alice, and we will canter off to Crof.
ton woods.
She went gaily from the room; and
Alice laid by her book, and went to pre-
pare for the ride. She had no PRESENT.
ment of evil. Innocent herself, she sus-
pected wrong in no one, especially hel
cousin, who of late was so kind to her.
When they were about to mount the
horses, Calista said gayly, "Let us
change to-day, Alice. want you to try
Flyaway, and want to ride Clip"
"Do you think 1 could manage Fly
away" said Alice, little anxiously.
sob, yes, easily enough; he is a little
fiery, to be sure, but shall be near you.
/ have never ridden Clip, you know, and
want to see how she will like me"
Alice's aunt, Miss Gray, stood in the
door.
"You will keep near Alice, Calista p
she said, "and see that Flyaway is kept
quiet ?"
"Indeed, I WILL" answered Calista.
Don't you fear for her, Miss Gray"
They mounted the horses, and pro-
ceeded toward Crofton woods. When
they arrived at the forest they rode along
leisurely, looking about them and re-
marking ON the beauty of the day
and the scenery. They soon came to a
by-path, that struck off into the woods
and Calista drew rein and said, "This
path is the one took the other day,
when L came here alone. Let us go
through it, and 1 will show you one of
the most magnificent scenes you ever
saw"
They turned their horses into this
path, and cantered off into the heart of
the forest. They had ridden nearly a
mile when they came suddenly upon a
great ledge of rocks, standing out bare in
the wood and overlooking frightful
chasm or ravine.
"What a strange place this is !" said
Alice.
eve will ride to the top of the hill, "
said Calista, ''and then we can see the
ocean,"
"Can we 2" said Alice. CT want to
see it, but I'm almost afraid to ride there
on Flyaway; let us dismount and walk. "
"Oh, fie y said Calista, little ner-
vously. CT will warrant Flyaway to be-
have Just as Iwant him too. Come along,
Alice; don't be timid."
They began to ascend the jagged hill,
the horses stumbling over the rocks;
and at last they stood at the summit
There was the ocean, sure enough, lying
blue and fathomless away off in the dis
lance; but Alice gave it only a passing
glance; she was gazing in terror down
the terrible abyss, on the edge of which
their horses were standing.
"Oh, Calista I" she cried, "why did
you bring me here? 1t is terrible /
am frightened 1 shall be drawn into
that terrible abyss, in spite of me. y
Calista raised her riding whip.
"Alice Gray" she said, her eyes
cleaning and flashing with hatred and
evil resolve, "you shall never marry
Herman Holliston. A few more minutes
and you will be in eternity, and L shall
be avenged"
ooh, heaven save me, save me p
cried Alice, attempting to dismount from
her horse; but Calista struck him with
her riding whip, speaking sharply to
him, and like the wind he flew down the
jagged rocks.
Alice, in terror, lost all power and
presence of mind, and in an instant was
hurled down the frightful chasm, and lay
torn and bleeding at the bottom. Ca
lsta, with a hollow, demon-ike laugh,
dismounted and climbed down the rocks