Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-04-13
A LOVERS MISTAKE.
'BY MARY N. PRESCOTT.

III MARY N. PRESCOTT.
From the Golden Rule.
John L0rrimer believed it sad Gay for
himself when Mr.. Strathley came TO Ford
to loob after the mill, which had lately fall
len into the hands of Stralhley & Stone.
lumber merchants Of the metropolis. a hun
drcd miles away. Why had Mr.. Strathley
chosen to immune himself In that little
country village, whose society was natu-
rally uncOngenial to man Of the world
Why, II it we're not because he had seen
Margaret on his first visit to look after the
purchase Of the MILL and had dined at her
Rrandfather's a. il ne were an old friend,
John reasoned? Were there not a woman
as fair in his own world whom he could love
and win. that he need 60 out of his way to
rob another man? Could he not have sent
an agent to reside at Ford. and attend to
the firms business, Ia that old-fashioned
corner of the earth, il money making were
the only attraction? What malign fate
had caused him to gravitate TO Ford, where
no stranger was ever known to stay a mo-
ment longer than circumstances Obliged
him? With his fine manner and fine
clothes; his palaver about all things in heav-
en- and earth; his handsome face and figure,
was it not hiding his light under a bushel
What could he find i'm Ford to interest him
il it were not Margaret?
1t was bitter season for Lorrimer, who,
having been sweet upon Margaret ever
since he was boy in jackets, felt as if he
had established claim upon her affections.
and was aygrieved to find her amused by
Strathley-walking with him i'm season and
out OF season; sitting i'm the farm house
porch in confidential converse, or singing
from the same old psalter on Sunday even
ings. 1t was surely enough to enrage any
lover. and especially one who felt so GER
tain of his case that he had delayed about
riyetihg the chains. AID had taken every
thing for granted before putting the ques-
ton.
Lorrimer begah to Study bis mirror for
the first time in his life; To become enamour-
ed of fine clothes; TO suspect himself of awk-
wardness and ignorance. 1t suddenly &C.
Cured to him that he must have been blind
ever to have believed that Margaret would
care for him. though he had thought that
actions spoke louder than words; though
he had taken her part at school. when the
Others twitted her about her shabby gowns
and her wild brother Ben, who had
brought his grandfather's nose to the grind
etOne-the country people said-and
obliged him to mortgage the farm and this
same mill which had been his own years
ago, in order TO pay gambling debts.
"And served him right" they grumble1
not satisfied with the'retribution Providence
had seen -fit to administer. ''served him right
for educating Ben beyond his betters. It'll he
was that proud he looked down on his own
kith and Kin and ran away to sea, where all
the scamps go. when there amt TO more
money to make away with. And it want
no great loss. neither" they declared,
"when he went down with all on board. off
the coast somewhere. and nobody left to
give the particklers; though he's gone to
his account, andIwe don't hev no wish to dis
parage the dead"
All at once Lorrlmer began to look at
himself as If he were somebody else, and
the view failed TO satisfy his soul. Cross
ing the brook that flowed through the
meadow, one evening, he met Margaret
alone.
well met" said she, gaily. showing him
handful of water-lilies. See, I 6shed
these out of the bottomlees pond in an old
leaky wherry that was rotting on the shore.
Will you have some?'
"Why didn't you ask ME TO get them for
you, Margaret? You might have been at
the bottom of the pond by this time"
ut is bOttOmless, you know"
"Why didn't you ask Mr.. Strathley to
get them for you?" he added, as an after
thought.
The sudden color Redeemed upon Marsa-
ret's cheek.
"Mr. strathley has something else to
do"
"But have nothing else to do that
should like half so well, Margaret-we
used to be such friends-I used to think
but no matter %hat-yoh find Strathley
more to your mind, no doubt, dom
blame you. only we were such old friends
There was look of trouble growing ir
Margaret's eyes. 1--WE are friends still,
hope" she said.
@Are wea That fellow with his fine air.
and bold eyes has bewitchec you; We Were
happy enough before he came. Do yor
know what they say in the Viilage?"
sI.d0 not care what they say" she replied
with 4 growing color and tear In her eye:
that belied her words. s'What right have
you to speak Of mel Why do you listen
you who pretend to be my friend ?"
pretend That's an honest word be.
..yeen you and me! / listen because I'm
not deaf If Strathley had your good al
heart"
ATake care, John, don't say anything
against Mr.. Strathley. You might be sor
~ for Il some day. He is-he knew my
peor brother Ben-at school, or somewhere
It does us good to hear him talk of Ben !!
1t was hard for Margaret TO dissemble, ant
she did it with poor grace.
BLESSINGS brighten as they take thei
flight" thought Lorrimer; "knew you
brother Ben. did he !? and your grandfathe
listens z" The time had been when Ben
name had been forbidden. and the old far
-cer had sworn that Ben's shadow shonlt
never darken his door.
"People ought TO be careful how the.
speak of their own flesh and blood groan
cd the neighbors when the Arcturus wa
cast away, and the last chance of fOrgivin!
Zen with it. But though grandfather Bevi
had aged since then, had begun TO have
halt il his step and stoop in his shoulders
and to grow a fresh crop OF wrinkles, We
even grim death had failed to obliterat
Ben's misdeeds-their impoverished condi
ton was constant remainder. Mr.. Bevi
saw his more fortunate neighbors enjoyin
the fruits of lands be had cleared with tn
horny hand of toll, sitting down to boun
teously supplied tables, with a good bal
ance in the bank for rainy weather. Will
he and his Jared scantily. and hardly dare
TO look The future i'm the face. Ben ma
been the apple Of his eye, and to have sui
tered from his selfishness added anothe
sting to poverty.
.When Mr.. Strathley first mentions
Ben, grandfather just groaned, and t0ddle
out Of the room. The next time he shu