The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-01-12
HOW 1 TOLD MY STORY.

N1Ls OIdDRC IObo lIOuu btdt, lOOh-
ing inexpressibly panied, and walked
slowly up and down the room, while I
sat back in my chair by the window,
with my heart beating violently, and a
sense Of suffocation upon me that was
absolutely painful. But was panied,
too, for him; grieved that he should
ever have asked me-more than griSved
to have caused him sorrow. For in his
suffering ne looked so calm and gentle
he, the tall, stalwart man, with his fast
grazing hair, and countenance marked
with the lines printed by maturing age
and thought. He had been so kind and
friendly, too, ever since he had been at
the parsonage, and in our daily work we
had been drawn so imperceptibly to-
gether, that had hoped ours was to be
firm and lasting friendship; and now
this meeting seemed to have brought it
to an abrupt conclusion. Suddenly he
stopped before me again, and stood look
ing down, while l crouched there almost
fascinated by his gaze.
"Miss Denison-Laura, he said, in
low, soft voice, "you must forgive
me, and if you cannot accede to my pro-
poeal, let us be as we have been during
the past happy year.
/ tried to speak, but he held up his
hand.
Hear me out, dear friend" he said,
land let me speak again, for I still hope
that may have taken you by surprise.
1 have known you now for year"
tined TO speak once more--to beg
him that he would let me leave the
room-that he would bring our interview
to an end; but my heart went on still
with its heavy beat, and the suffocating
sensation was still at my throat, SO that
l half lay there with my eyes closed,
listening TO his words, every one of
which seemed to wake an echo, and in
crease the heavy throbbing of my heart.
'' had love dream once," he said !;
and his voice became very rich and soft.
90 WAC tutor in noble house. There
WIS daughter there whom could have
loved, had but dared. Honor, posi-
ton, RI! forbade il. She was heiress to
e3p, COO, and l was the young tutor to
whose care the educah of her brother
%Iad been trusted. She never knew my
fancy, and,I saw her married to noble
Snsn, happily, hoped-whle II re-
turned to my books.
lie paused again, and sat up watch.
nag his half-averted face, as in those few
wofds-so few but 80 pregnant of mean
ing--he laid bare to me his heart and,
Is 10 sighed, the heavy throbbing in
l2y kears began to subside, and a
et,aaCe feeling of pity for him to grow.
=" thought 1t bu, fair to tell you
tti', re sid. sadly, "to show you that
J 7 unnfhfuI frat Inua 60, 1ax, t.a
tore you bat felt that here, in this
% village, If your lot were joined to mine,
5he down hill of life would be made
&appy for me, as God knows would
~ to make it ever green and pleasant
for you, while those around us should
be taught to bless us for the help we
gave. 1T is no romantic Offer" he
SAID, more cheerfully. cit is very
anatter-of fact, L know, but it was u pom
these grounds, dear friend, that L asked
YOU TO be my wife.
i1o looked down at me once again,
and, as our eyes met, something within
mo seemed to say, Withdraw your re-
.fusal and lay these trembling hands in
his, for he is man that you could love. F"
Bui L only shook my head sadly, as 1
murmured
mo, it could never be ~
g You are agitated," he said, tenderly,
as he took my hand and reverently
kissed il. 81 will leave you now. Mine
is too solemn proposal for us both to
be replied to without consideration.
Let ell be as it was for a month, and
theu will renew my suit. IT, after this
lapse of time, you still think as you do
nov, believe me, will never pair tlse
woman i hope to retain as my best and
dearest friend by the faintest allusien
TO that which We will agree to bury in
Il III ptst."
mo-" 1 said, with frmness which
surprised myself "Stay, Mr.. Grange,
aud let me speak.
Ee bowed his head in his old pleasant
manner, and took his seat once more.
=" must undeceive you now--at
once, faltered. cit would he cruel
TO you-to us both-to let this rest, only
TO DC renewed at the months end"
De bowed his head still lower, and
my Leart gave throb of gratitude as
saw the tender consideration with which
ne averted his gaze from my agitated
lace.
There was again terrible silence In
the YoOm, broken only by the disteni