The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-06-28

BmOOtnly- Dralueu Dihck nhlf, ticu Will
scarlet bows, came demurely into the |
room and was introduced. But the half I
shy, half-dignifed company manner
soon wore away, and Mamie and 1 were |
fast friends before dinner. She sang
for me in voice as deliciously fresh as
a birds carol; she took me to see her |
pets, the new horse that was her last
birthday gift from "papa," the ugly
little Scotch terrier with the beautiful
brown eyes, the rabbits, Guinea hens,
and the superannuated cid pony, who
had preceded the new horse.
In a week was in love as much as
ever John could have desired. Mamie
was the most bewitching maiden had
ever met, childlike and yet womanly,
frank, bright, and full of girlish freaks
and boyish mischief, and yet well edu-
Gated, with really wonderful musical
gifts. and full of noble thoughts. She
was a perfect idol in the village, her
friends and neighbors thinking no party
complete without her, while the poor
fairly worshiped her.
John allowed her an almost unlimited
supply of pocket-money, and she was
lavish in all charity, from blankets for
old women, tobacco for old men, to can
dies for the children, and rides on horse
back for the urchins And she had
way of comforting favors that never
wounded the pride of the most sensitive.
We rode together every morning we
walked in the cool evening hours we
spent much time at the piano, and dis
cussed our favorite authors, and one day,
when asked Mamie to be my wife, she
said, coolly:
"Why, of course 1 thought that was
all understood long ago."
1 was rather amazed at such matter
of-fact wooing, but delighted at the re-
suit. How could / expect any soft,
blushing speeches? Isuppose / ranked
| Just where John and Nannies grand
mother did in her affection.
But one morning, when Mrs. Stillman
was shipping her geraniums in the sit
ting-room and John was reading the
mornings newspapers, Mamie burst in,
her beautiful face all aglow, her eyes
bright with delight, crying 40
ooh, grandma Walt has come
home ! 1 saw him from my window rid
ing up the road"
She was going then, just as John ex-
claimed
"Confound Walt !"
"Who is Walt ?" l naturally inquired.
"Walter Bruce, the son of one of our
neighbors. He has been like brother
TO Mamie all her life, but went off to
Europe two years ago, when he came of
age. They wanted to correspond, but ]
forbade that. So he has turned up
again"
1t was evident that John was terribly
vexed, and very soon shared his annoy
ance. Walt, tall, handsome young
fellow, improved, not spoiled, by travel,
just haunted the house.
He was generally off with Mamie as
soon as he arrived, and blind to Mrs.
Stillman's ill-concealed GOODNESS, and
Johns sarcastic speeches about boys and
puppies.
As for me, by the time my sleepy eyes
were opened in the morning, Mamie
had taken long ride with Walt, was at
the piano when / came into the room,
and Walt was walking beside Mamie
when the hour for our usual stroll ar
rived.
And the very demon of mischief pos
sessed the girl. There was no freak she
was not inventing to imperil her life,
riding, driving, boating, and 1 fairly
shivered sometimes at the prospect OF
my nervous terrors when it would be my
task to try to control this quicksilvel
temperament
But one day, when / was in the sum
mer house, a very rueful little maiden
with a tear-stained face. came to my
side.
"Walt is going away" she said.
Indeed"
"Yes, and he says I'm wicked firt,
with choking sob; ct thought would
ask you about it. -
About what?"
"Our getting married. You know
papa told me was to marry you ages
and ages ago."
eyes"
"And I knew it was all right if h,
said so. But Walt says you must be
muff if you want wife who is all tn,
time thinking of somebody else.
"And you know 1 can't help it. Wal
has-been my friend ever since we were
always together. And when he was il
Europe papa wouldn't let us write I,
each other, but kissed his picture ever,
night and morning and wore his hair il
locket, and thought of him all the
time. And he says you won't like i
after we are married"
"Well, not exactly" 1 said, dryly
you'll have to stop thinking of hin
, then.
81 don't believe I ever can. And 8,
1 thought I'd tell you, and perhaps
perhaps you will tell papa we don't car,
about being married after all. 1 dom
think could ever be sedate and grav
like an old lady, and of course 1 ough
! to if am to be an old mans wife,"
"Of course"
"And L am so rude and horrid;
know / am not ike nice city girls, and
am altogether hateful, but Walt don
care"
/ rather agreed with Walt as she stoo,
in high confusion before me, her eye
still misty, her sweet lips quivering
1t was a sore wrench to give her up
but was not quite an idiot, and L SAID
gravely:
"But YOUR father ?"
Yes, 1 know; he'll make real storm
But then his storms don't last long, an,