The true northerner., 1878-01-11


seen, also, how
"God has tempered NIL things well,
Worked patience out of bitter pain,
And out of ruin golden GAIN
As we sat down under the beeches,
my friend pointed out pretty house,
surrounded by great apple orchards,
and large, old-fashioned garden.
"That is where Abagail lives now," she
said, "but, when / first knew her, she
was poor. Her father had been the
doe or OF the village, but he never saved
ANYTHING, and, when he died, Abagail
had nothing but the little furnished
house in which he had lived. But she
had been well educated, she took some
scholars, and gave several Young ladies
lessons upon the harp. was among
them. We were about the same age. /
| had no sister, and she had no friends.
We soon loved each other truly and ten
derly.
"Soon there arose another tie between
us. My only brother, Gerald, was in
duced to settle at Harhury Market. He
had been studying medicine in London,
and wished to practice there, but my
father could not bear TO have him 30 far
away. He gave him Ct 600 to stay here,
and Gerald, who was not insensible to
the advantages of fine hunting country
and practice ready waiting for him,
made kind of merit Of his concession,
and stepped into Abagail's fathers place.
"One day. Abagail and / We're togeth-
er in my fathers drawing-room. She
was leaning over the harp, hut not play
ing. We had fini-hed the lesson, and
were talking softly of my engagement to
Ralph. Suddenly bright blush over
spread her face, and turning, saw Ger
aid standing in the open door watching
| us.
From that hour he did nothing but
watch Abagail. He got tender-con-
scienced, as well MS tender hearted, and
my father and he had warm disputes
about Abagail's right to n sum of money
for the goodwill of her fathers busi-
ness. Father got first to dislike her
through this, for when he absolutely re-
fused to offer her the $500 which Gerald
thought she ought to have, then Gerald
offered her the sum himself. Abagail
was in love, and thought this act splen-
did of course she positively refused it ;
but then father never liked her after
ward
"All the more Gerald followed her
wherever she went. He sent her flowers
and books, and wns continually bribing
me to say good words in his behalf
There was not any need for me to do
that, for, though Abagail was shy and
proud enough with him, one woman
reads another, and knew very well she
loved my handsome brother with all her
pure, good heart.
every soon every one began TO con-
meet their names, and one day after din
ner, when father had drunk more than
usual ne got very angry about it, and
said, Gerald must go back to London
"Gerald said 8 it was too late now
that he preferred Harbury.
" But said my father, 'you can not
t1ife with Miss Fisher, sirl Her father
was the doctor of this place for forty
years there is not n man within twenty
miles who would not defend her-aaS
you can't marry her, SIR
'' THAT is my intention, sir, replied
Gerald.
"Father looked for moment as if
he would throw bis wiue-glass at him;
but the next he was quite calm, and
said: We won't quarrel, my boy, about
girl that is no kith nor kin of ours; If
you viii come with me to the library, l
have something TO say, which will per-
| haps make you reasonable
81 do not know what passed between
them, but the next day Gerald begau to
make arrangements for return to Lon
don. OF course this could not be done
at once. He had q young friend whom
he wished to put in his place, and he
WAS determined not TO leave Harnury
without some certainty of Abagail love.
Poor girl She could not bear 10 keep
him at distance, with the prospect of
long parting between them. She frank
ly acknowledged that he was very dear
to her, and he promised, over and over
again ia my presence, that no woman but
Abagail should ever be his wife.
81 am quite sure be meant all lhe said
No one could help loving Abagail, and
Gerald was not by any means the only
lover she had. 1t was this fact that
made him SO anxious; he knew that
Mark Gaudy of Harrow Hall followed
her like a shadow, and that the rich
banker, Joseph Butterfeld, had been
her suitor for II year. But Gerald also
knew if Abagail promised, she wopld
never deceive him.
He was proud, happy man the
day she promised to be his wife; and l
agreed to watch carefully over his love
while he was away. All at once great
fear about his going took hold of me;
begged him to remain at Hartury. 1
could see nothing to gain, but every
thing to lose by the movement.
"Then it came ont that there was an
other lady in the case. My fathers
contractor in London had left his daugh-
ter ESQ, 900, and it seemed there had
been for years scheme between the
parents for uniting their children. The
heiress-whose name was Caroline Waite
had been at school when Gerald was
studying, and they had therefore never
yet met. 1t was now evident to me that
Gerald had been heavily bribed to go to
London for one year on this business.
"Gerald was always ready for change
and pleasure; he had secured Abagails
love, and he had no fears or scruples
about triAing away time in meaningless
attentions to girl whom he had never