The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-04-06
LIKE CURES LIKE.
CHAPTER |.

One afternoon in June, 1874, the band
i'll Central Park, New York, had finished
playing n waltz by Strauss. The Mall
was so thronged with people of every
class that a young gentleman who was
threading his way, through the crowd said
to an elderly companions: For heavens
sake let us get out OF this ~
" 1t is exactly what / was about to pro-
pose, answered the other.
The first who spoke was George Ward,
wealthy American from San Francisco,
but for many years a resident in Paris !;
and he had Just returned to his country
to take possession of legacy left him by
an old friend OF the Ward family, and a
prominent lawyer in the city, who had
charge of Georges legal affairs.
Stepping down to the lake, they took
one of the most solitary paths in the
park, and began talking Of business mat
tiers. On bench near by, half-hidden
by the luxurirnt foliage OF the trees, sat
young girl dressed in white, color
which matched the delicate beauty of her
face. An old lady was by her side. The
light, gauzy costume of the young lady
attracted George Wards notice, and his
looks were answered by the fair wearer
with a glance, smile, and slight bow.
Our Parisianized American, while con-
fident that the young lady must have
mistaken him for some one else, was
drawn by the memory of her sweet pale
face to visit the spot the very next day.
Nor were his expectations disappointed.
There she was, at the same place, and,
noticing ut once his arrival, she smiled
and bowed again to him.
He was somewhat reserved, but he
could not forbear taking off his hat and
bowling i'll return.
ooh, was quite sure you would be
here again = ioyfully exclaimed the fair
unknown, going to shake hands with
him.
For a moment George was dumb with
establishment, but he shortly managed
to say: 81 had seen you, miss; how could
L help coming 2"
"True, but why do you come so late !?
Certainly you needed no invitation.
George looked at her with increased
surprise "Have / ever met her before,
or does she take me for some friend whom
L resemble 2" he asked himself. He was
about to request an explanation, when
certain mysterious signs from the old la
dy checked him. Hardly knowing what
to do or say, he made no attempt to dis
pei the girls Illusion.
"My dear child" said the lady, soon
-afterward, :" it is past 5; we must go
home"
The girl quietly assented to this pro-
posal, and then, turning to George, said
earnestly, You must come and see us,
must he not, aunt ?"
Certainly" answered the elder lady,
eyasively.
eve have a new house close by here, 4"
resumed the girl, with lovely garden.
When the moon shines upon it it is 80
beautiful Come tomorrow, and L will
show you our beautiful garden. And 1
will make chocolate for you. Are you
still fond of chocolate ?"
'fYes," answered George absently.
% BY the way" she added suddenly;
why have you changed your name /
heard some one call you George yester
day! George is nice name, but Ralph
was so much sweeter."
The young man turned and gazed ut
the old lady with questioning look.
She sighed heavily, and looked at the
sky.
The answer was eloquent enough, and
George shuddered. But after pause
he said :" Allow me to give you my card,
madame" And he took card from his
pocket-book and handed it to her.
Many thanks. Helen, come"
Do not forget tomorrow 70 said Hell
EN- to George, as she held out one of her
little hands to him.
A moment later she had gone, and
George went to a sect and fell into a roy-
erie.