Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-04-13

his eyes anil made believe to sleep; but now,
do you know, he hangs upon Mr.. Strath-
leys words, John, though he never asks a
question. But the day will coue when he
will pardon poor Ben, know it WILL"
"And Strathley, having done missionary
work, will demand his reward 2" Mar
garet, do You think he means fairly by
you? lsn'titjust seasons amusement to
him?
II have no fears" she answered.
But in spite of what folks might say. Mr..
Strathley was at Ford. on and of, all sum-
mer.
1.-The mill needs sight of looking af-
ter they shifted, lit might run way
he had taken a mighty fancy to Meg
Bevis, and p'raps she expected to be a
fine lady, anon, and ride in her carriage
and have servants under her; but there
was many hole i'm the skinner. "
wasn't likely but he'd been used to wo-
men-folks as could play the PLAINLY, and
wear the fashions az natural rs their own
skins. Old Beyis ought to be ashamed
To allow such goings on under his eyes.
High time o day, too, for Mr.. Strathley
to put Bevis ia OverSeer at the mill, over
the heads OF younger and smarter men,
with no end of wages and nothing to do
but watch the gang saw! That didn't
look queer, did it? And wasn't Strath-
ley's team stabbed in Bevis' barn; and
and didn't Meg use it when she pleased,
and mighty smart team, too, no one
boss shay. And who could tell why he'd
bought the Dean meadow of Bevis,
when it was such barren waste that
the grasshoppers avoided it? He hadn't
10 use for it, there wasn't IA stick of tim
Der on it. but it put cash i'm old Bevis'
pocket. where cash was stranger, ED -
Lorrimer was obliged to listen to all
this, without the power OF proving it
false, and it made his heart ache as that
organ had never ached before; darkened
the day and embittered life for him.
He dreaded to meet friend or foe, for fear
OF hearing opinions which he could not
combat, and they all wondered that he
would not join in the general cavil. Had
not Margaret thrown him over for a
fiashy fellow, about whom nobody knew
anything beyond what he chose to tell
Wasn't resentment the proper attitude
tor a fitted lover? 10 be sure, he felt
very hard toward this handsome, well-tO-
no gentleman who had stepped between
him and happiness-whO slipped so
easily into the position for which John
had served twice seven years.
He could scarcely bear the sight of him
dawdling about Bevis' farm-as though
to the manner born-but he was obliged
to own that Strathley showed sur
passing good nature, an indifference to
his rudeness that was provoking; and
that lie was just as ready to be civil and
friendly to him afterward-
"Surely this is hard world" thought
Lorrimer, sin which it is necessary to
love ones enemy, though he has stolen
the apple of ones eye" Wasn't it re-
quiring little too much of human na-
ture-Or, at least, OF Lorrimer's nature
Still. if he happened TO meet Strathley
OIL the highway and Jared on a piece
with him, talking of the prospects for
numbering the coming winter; about
provisioning the camp and engaging
men, and OF that kind of rough and ready
life. Lorrimer could not deny but he was
pleasant coihpaniODable fellow enough.
with deal of backbone, who knew his
work, and that sort OF people with whom
he had to deal.
II mean to have taste of this camp
way. Il want to know what it is like
poor fare, hard couch, or bowling
wolves"
"YOu won't find it as easy as lying,
reckon" said LOrrimer, "a little of that
kind of thing goes a great way"
IL dare say. Are you going to join
my gang?"
Il? No. thank you. I'm looking for
chance TO sell out. [ want to raise
some ready money and be off to Califor-
MIA. where it grows faster than in this
soil"
'Ah. going to leave for good and all +?
Any disappointment? She hasn't gone
back on you eh 20
"Who do you mean?" asked John,
fiercely.
''rhe girl you are going to leave be-
hind you"
IL have no sweetheart" said John,
evasively.
-"More's the pity-it's love that makes
the world 60 rOund.n
mo. it isn't-it's money"
IF you want money, my boy. let me
help YOU"
"You. No, thank you. 1 want no
mans money!
LOrrimer did not find a purchaser for
his farm before the winter set i'm, cold
and bitter, with angry storms and biting
frOsts. He was still waiting for one
when Mr.. Stcathley came from town on
d dark December day, and meeting LOr-
rimer, begged he would pioneer him
through the woods to the camp.
II suppose you know the woods as
well as your own face 2" he said.
"Yes," said Lorrimer; 'Only, if it
should come on to storm as it threatens.
we may lose our reckoning. Hadn't YOU
better wait till the weather clears?"
"How far do you call it p
'Near six miles; but it isn't like walk
ing on a concrete pavement, you know"
mo. I'm inclined to push on to-day,
if you're willing"
They set out not long after noon; the
sun came out and blinked at them but
by the time they had struck into the
deep woods he had thought better of it
and retired behind flaw of snow.
This will all blow over" said Strath-
ley. confidently.
"Or maybe we'll outstrip the storm
| and reach the camp ahead of it," agreed
Eorrimer.
But though the storm seemed in no hur-
ry. il meant business; from slight flaw. it
goes into lazy tumult of snow.fiakes, OBJ
literating landmarks, and making the woods
murky and bewildering
'Six miles are soon travelled in the worst
weather." averred Stathley. Its getting
confoundedly dark, though, Lorrlmer; it
seems to me we have walked ten leagues
already"
"I'll be blessed if it isn't the longest six
miles I ever footed" confessed Lorrimer.
"We ought to be close upon the camp, I'M
less"
But just then Strathley stumbled in the
/ swiftly dascandinU darknass and foil