The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-06-21

bitterness to fnd himself on a spot that
had often been hallowea by the pres.
ence of the girl he loved. What did she
think of him?
"Harold r.
Fanny
In those two words all was expressed.
In that fierce embrace doubt was slain.
"Oh, Harold, I have followed you foi
hours, fearing to speak, you looked SC
pale and changed |"
81 am changed. They have not sent
me to prison, Fan, but the prison taint
is on me. Why don't you shrink from
the moral leper, as the rest of them have
done 2"
Because and it seemed to him as
though her voice had never thrilled
with such sweetness before-"I know
you"
"And you believe"
That all can be righted yet. 1 can
wait, dear-if you will let me. You
never were more precious to me than
you are at this moment"
"Miss Westbrook-. Come, Fanny.
this is no place for YOU"
Harold and she had not heard the
footsteps. 1t was Blanchard and her
brother who had approached unnotised.
And no place for you, either" said
White to Blanchard.
Faugh," replied the worthy, ct
have no words to waste on such as you.
sir. am here to perform duty"
"Scoundrel /" Harold began, at the
same time raising his hand. She touched
him, and he was still.
"Sir," said she, ct am mistress of nv
own actions. If 1 choose to accompany
my brother, it is-because 1 choose |
Harold, good-by! Come what may, my
faith will not falter, my love never
change"
The last four words were murmured.
AS she shaped them she reached forward
and kissed him before her brother,
whose surprise at her defiant attitude
was unspeakable.
They parted and went their several
ways.
The charge against Harold White of
embezzlement, and the result of it, pro-
duced wonder that lasted much longer
than the proverbial nine days. His de-
parture, the day after the hearing, no
one knew whittier, had had the effect of
increasing the number and sympathy of
his friends. 1t was generally admitted
that his defense had been weak-incom-
prehensibly weak. But who knew? he
might have had his own invincible rea-
sons for not making it stronger. Why
had the brother of his affianced (for she
was his affianced in all but an open de-
of the fact) broken with him 80
Until Blanchard appeared
on the scene they were inseparable.
Depend upon it, the West Indian was at
the bottom of it. In this fashion the
gossips of Singlebridge discussed the
events of Harold Whites downfall and
departure.
Three months had elapsed, and not a
word had been heard of or from Harold
White; unless, the female gossips sug-
yested, he had written to Miss West
brook, which, considering the circum-
stances which preceded his departure,
ne was hardly likely to have done. For
once, however, they were out in their
calculations. He had written her let
Ter in which these words occurred:
" Ii 1 thought. darling, that you would |
De happier to be rid OF me for good and |
III, our bond should be dissolved. It is |
7our love for and simple faith in me that
'weetens my life, and keeps me steadfast
n my determination to undo the miser-
bile wrong from which 1 suffer. They
hall right me yet.
have borrowed, for the present.
mother name-my mothers before her
marriage; but the people with whom L
IN know that l am Harold White, and
re acquainted with my history. Unjust
ry, dear, to rub on without the consola-
ion which your letters would bestow. 1t
better that we should seem to have
arted forever. In the good time we shall
leet-and then %
1t puzzled well-informed Singlebridge
D hear Fanny Westbrook's cheerful
lords, to note her placid brow and
right manner. She never could have
1ought much of Harold White, you
now, or she would have manifested
ONE regret at his misfortunes.
Blanchard, too, was mysiified at her.
What did it portend? Had she resigned
Ii hopes OF becoming restored to the
'ver whom he had 80 effectually helped
} disgrace and banish2 He would see.
ls impetuous love for the SUNNY
aired, Saxon-eyed girl, a love which
orung into existence che moment they
et, had grown nightly pince the going
White. He would put an end to this
ncertainty. He could face his fate.
AN interview with me? ?" replied
amy to his blandly- proffered request:
certainly, MIR. Blanchard" Her tone
as provokingly even. "And, if YOU
lease, let 1T take place now. Pray be
'ated."
Ii she had only been embarrassed.
" Miss Westbrook, I-I-fear that the {
1pression which made upon you the
~ OF that unfortunate rencontre by the
verside was not favorable. +" !
T" Pray proceed, sir" she remarked in
y tones.
Well, then-allow me-you cannot
rely have remained firm in the resolu.
On you then expressed-to cleaye TO
"Mr. Blanchard, / will assist Won
ou apparently wish to say that 1 must
we ceased to love Harold White. Is ..
at SOP" Z
!" Miss Westbrook - Fanny-pardon
Q L do. He is all unworthy OF Won. !
D., If you did but know tie depth of I
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