The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-12-21

her many bitter pang by MS dissoiute
conduct.
He was reckoned to be one of the
handsomest and most notorious men
about town, and the discreditable tales
current respecting him were beyond
count, and of a complexion not to be
mentioned here. / heard that he was
nearly being dismissed from the service
through his faulty behavior. His
mother, however, had hurried to town,
and, exerting all the interest she pos
sessed In certain influential quarters,
managed to snatch him from the disgrace
then threatening him.
In order to remove him from the evil
influence OF bad companions, his moth
er persuaded him to exchange into
another regiment, stationed in quieter
place.
Before he joined it the widow begged
him to come and spend Christmas with
her at her home in Surrey.
A trifing change had taken place in
he Danesbrooks' household in the mean
ime. When paid my patient visit
one day, found young girl staying
with her, who was introduced to me as
be companion to Mrs. DanesbroOk till
she should have recovered from her ner-
vous depression of spirit.
This girls name was Julia, and the
brilliant brunette, with her red lips,
black eyes, and rather coquettish man
ner, formed decided contrast to the
gentle eyed Maud.
Always in high spirits, she seemed
destined to work great change in Mrs.
Danesbrook's quiet household.
/ was quite delighted at having sue
ceeded III making my eccentric friend
more sociable. The young wife seemed
to be very grateful to me, also, and daily
showed more confidence in me, treating
me more as friend than family doctor
By-and-by she began to tell me about
her past life, and her domestic affairs
of her youth, and how she became ac-
quainted with her husband, on an occa-
sion which explained the high esteem in
which she held him, and the love she
seemed TO bear him.
According to her account, her hus-
band, who was very wealthy, had saved
her father from ruinous bankruptcy,
and her whole family from poverty, by
the greatest sacrifices on his part.
"I was quite child then, added
she, "and, childlike, thought great
deal of personal beauty. Soon, how
ever, I grew accustomed to Denis APP
pearance, and, in time, became quite in
different to it. The older I grew, the
more I recognized his worth, his good
ness of heart, and appreciated and hon
ored his character. A peculiar sadness,
which I attributed to his bitter expert
ences of life, filed me with pity for him,
which soon turned into love. So, when
he asked me for my hand, 1 gave it to
him, with the most sincere affection, and
with wish to make him as happy as l
knew he deserved to be"
In spite of this frank, and, as / firmly
believed, truthful confession, L still
doubted her happiness, and the follow
ing incidents seemed to confirm my sus-
picions in that respect:
Christmas was approaching, and L had
received an invitation from Danesbrook to
assist in n grand festival, to which he
was going to treat all his farmer-tenants.
He threw open all his large rooms, dec
grated them extensively, and had sum-
moned a capital brass band from Lon
don. He threw himself heart and soul
into the occasion, and every one about
rendered him their best assistance.
At length the eventful evening ar
rived. Fhe earth was covered with
deep snow, and everything was season
able and agreeable.
Carriages bearing rich neighbors, on
one hand, came bowling along; then, on
the other, light carts and wagons ratified
up TO and discharged their contents at
the hospitable door, now opened wide
to all.
Led by the agent of the estate-a still
youthful mana procession of farmers,
their wives and daughters, followed by
scores of workers-men with horny
hands and simple minds-was formed
and entered large saloon, were pre-.
scented in due form to the landlord and
his wife, the generous donors of the
feast.
Among the assembled guests / noticed
Mrs. Cottrell and her son Claude, who
certainly justified the report of his beauty
which had preceded him.
The Lieutenant was assuredly very
| DtlIOSOlhO a. DCAltCO NuuOCAS dnN
possessed that degree Of boldness which
most women are inclined to admire il
one of the opposite sex.
In town he had made conquests wher
ever he appeared, and Julia Leylant
was especially charmed with him. They
danced often together, ond they INDUCED
in much merriment.
Mrs. Danesbrook also mixed among
the dancers. She, too, danced severa
times with the fascinating Lieutenant
while her husband stood moodily in
corner, following the pair about every
where with his lowering chances.
I could not remain till the end my
self, so / asked the agent to order m,
carriage brought round unknown to all
and stole away unperceived.
81 am sorry Mr.. Ormond, to go ava,
so soon," / observed to the agent, as
shook hands with him on the stairs; bu
have q patient who expects a visit from
me before retire for the night"
81 think you lucky in being able t.
get away, DOCTOR" returned the agent
ill-humoredly. CT wish the who'll
thing were over j.
f.,oo;ol .-o,, -ro~o o,,,,.