The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-12-13


mas, David returned to Oaktree by
rail from New York, after stay of two
weeks in the great metropolis, whittier
he had been sent by his father on bust
ness connected with the farm. The
first person he met after leaving the
station was an old acquaintance, Ell
nathan Fern, who had an important
story to tell, namely, that Hetty Seaton
was about to be married to Beriah
Thorn-Beriah himself had so told Ell
nathan.
But the story was false. Hetty had
written to David, in answer to his low
ing letters, and had given the missives
to her father; but he, being busy with
farm affairs, intrusted them, for mail
ing, to Thorn, and what disposition the
latter made of the tender things is a
mystery to this day.
David listened to Elnathan, and, as
the story was repeated by others, aud
as the promised letters had not reached
him, and being withal of somewhat
jealous nature, he accepted the lie as
tale of truth. The immediate conse-
quence was that our hero, for the first
time in his life, fuddled his brain with
the then popular Ocean county beverage
called "apple-jack." Under the OK
element produced by this potent tip
pie, David sailed forth about an hour
before shutdown, to see Hetty and give
her q "piece of his mind" She was
not at home, but had gone to call on
Miss Lamb, neighbor, so Mrs. Seaton
said. Mad with disappointment, jeal-
| nI
off in search of Miss Mehitable Seaton.
An hour after, David Oaktree re-
turned to Seaton's house, with Hetty in
his arms, inscnsible, and bleeding from
a terrible wound in the head. He laid
the poor girl upon sofa, and, merely
saying, 81 am going for the DOCTOR"
rushed from the house.
He had been gone short time when
Beriah Thorn came staggering in, with
his face horribly mangled.
"What is the meaning of all this,
Beriah Thorn!" exclaimed Mrs. Seaton.
cit means that David Oaktree has
tried to do murder"
"What! did David Oaktree cut this
awful cash on my daughters head"
shrieked the exasperated woman.
Yes; and then nearly murdered me
for interfering. And here is the weapon
he used" exhibiting an old spade han
die, stained with blood, and having a
quantity of long auburn-hued hair
clinging to it.
Hetty began to revive. She opened
her eyes and exclaimed, David! where
is David? What is the matter with my
head?"
Don't mention his name again, the
numbering wretch!" cried the indig-
nant mother. Here's the very club
he tried to kill you with. L should
think you'd had enough of him."
Tried to kill mel 1t is impossible.
don't remember anything about it.
Did David strike me?"
Yes, Hetty," gasped Beriah, from an
old armchair in which he had thrown
himself. "Your mother is right. David
Oaktree tried to kill you, and nearly
murdered me. L wish the doctor would
come. am sick IL"
Before he could finish, Beriah slid
from the chair in dead faint.
Hetty was bewildered. The blow
upon her head had shocked her sys-
tenn through and through" as her moth
er pertinently remarked, and had caused
such confusion of memory that she
could not recall the slightest particular
concerning the manner in which she
had been hurt.
Her father, as well as Mrs. Seaton,
sided with Thorn, and, by the time
David returned with DIR. Scion, Hetty,
in spite of herself, was made to believe
that BeriahS story was true. The elder
Seaton holly accused Oaktree of the
bloody deed, repeating Thorn's charges
again and again, and exhibiting the
blood-stained spade-handle in proof of
the accusation!
Hetty was silent.
"Do you believe it, Hetty?" asked
David, excitedly, when Mrs. Seaton's
tongue had ceased, from sheer exhaus-
ton.
The suffering girl, among whose exu-
berant curls the doctor was busy with
Mrs. Seaton's scissors and saturated
sponge, closed her eyes and made no
reply.
Cut to the heart, David exclaimed,
piteously, "Oh, Hetty, Hetty, say you
don't believe It'll"
She opened her eyes and said, family,
Il can't recollect how was hurt. But,
David, you did act and talk strangely.
Your words were cruel, cruel And you
nearly killed Beriah, too
Doctor Scion now interfered. "There
has been too much talking done. Miss
Seaton must not be excited" he said.
DO you believe me guilty, doctor?7
said David.
well, / can't say; don't know. But
the evidence is all against you. Mrs.
Seaton, get another basin of milk-warm
water and wash Thorn's face. He has
received an ugly wound. His nose is
demolished. Oaktree, you have done
some bloody work this evening. You
had better leave Oldtown in haste. and
look to your safety"
David was crushed in spirit, seeing
that all were against him. He knelt bv
the side of Hetty, who lay pale as
marble, and again unconscious. "God
knows" he said, II never harmed this
dear angel. L did strike Beriah Thorn.
and if l had killed him / should not be
sorry. He deserves to die, curse him 7"
Then, kissing Hetty tenderly and