The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-07-19
A NOBLE GENTLEMAN.
The Story Of an Old Lady.

I sat spinning at my little wheel in the
sun, for the autumn day was cold, when
i heard some one whistling, and, look
ing up, there was young Squire Turner,
with his arms folded on the gate, look
ing over. When he caught my eye he
laughed and blushed and 1 rose and
made him a courtesy.
He was a handsome gentleman, the
Squire, and the hand from which he
pulled the glove shimmered in the sun
with pearls and diamonds /; and he was
bouny to look at, with his hair like spun
gold in the October sunlight.
When l courtesied, he bowed, making
his curls dance over his shoulders, and,
said ne, GIVE spoiled one pretty picture
that could have looked at all day, but
I've made another as pretty, so I'll not
grieve. May come in ?"
"And welcome, sir, said 1 and sat
a chair for him, for he was grandfather
landlord but for all that 1 felt I'M
comfortable, for was not used to fine
company.
He talked away, paying me more COM
pliments than was used to, for grand
mother, who brought me up, always
said, Handsome is as handsome does, -
and Beauty is but skin deep"
Since I'm telling the story I'll tell the
truth. i had done wrong about one
thing. Neither of the old folks knew
that 1 wore Evan Locke's ring in my
bosom, or that we'd taken a vow to each
other under the hawthorn that grew in
the church lane. i never meant to de-
ceive, but grannie was old and little
hard of hearing, and that love of mine
was such a sweet secret. Besides, money
seems to outweigh ali else when people
have struggled all their lives through to
turn penny, and they knew Evan wse
poor, struggling surgeon. L thought
I'd wait while until could sweeten
the news with the fact that he'd begun
to make his fortune.
Grannie came in from the dairy five
minutes after the Squire was gone, and
heard he had been there. didn't tell
her of the fine speeches, but there was a
keyhole to the door she came through,
and 1 have a guess she heard them.
That night we had something else to
think of. Misfortunes had come upon
grandfather; but didn't foresee that
when the half years rent should come
due not penny to pay it with would be
found.
All this time Evan Locke and / had
been as fond as ever of each other, and
he came as often as before to talk with
grandpa, on the winter nights; and still
every little while our young landlord,
Squire Turner, would drop in and sit
in his lazy way watching me knit or
spin. Once or twice he was flushed with
wine, and over bold, for he tried to kiss
me. But, Squire or no, boxed his
ears for his pains, and no softer than
could help either.
L could not help his coming, nor help
seeing him when he came, and did not
desire that Evan should be angry with
me. But he was. Eth, so high and
mighty, and spoke as though one like
the Squire could mean no good by com.
ing to so poor place as the school
masters.
He made me angry, and spoke up.
"For that matter, the Squire would
be glad to have me promise to marry
him." said /. "He thinks more of me
than you do just now"
"Maybe you like him better" said
Evan.
CT don't say that" replied 1. "But
bad temper and jealousy scarce make
me over fond of another. 1 pray L may
never have a husband who will scolG
me-"
For he had been scolding me. There
was no other name for it.
Well, Evan was wroth with me and
with him-not heart deep, though,
thought-and did not see HIM for more
than a week. ] was troubled much
though. 1 knew he would come round
again, and mayhap ask my pardon. Fol
before you are wed you can bring youl
lover TO his senses when YOU will.
Sol did not fret after Evans absence
nor quite snub Squire Turner, who liked
me more than ever. But one night grand
father came in from lonely ride, and
shutting the door, stood between grand
mamma and me, looking at me, and Sc
strangely that we both grew frightened.
AT last he spoke:
GIVE been 10 the 'Squire's." said be.