The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-12-20

whenever IL is, XIII one ftoto, say L, anu
have it picked and drawn before she gets
back !"
While the. two are walking toward
the barn-yard, taking two or three ears
of corn from the crib on the way, let us
leave them to follow Susan as she drives
toward the village.
IL
Yes; there was really something the
matter with Susan Lane. A neighbor,
meeting her in the road, might have at
tributed her bright eyes and glowing
cheeks to the tonic of the crisp, inspir-
ing December air; but she, herself, was
well aware of an almost feverish mixture
of hope and anxiety, which gave her a
sense of dryness in the throat and COM
PEELED her pulses to make ten beats more
to the minute. The steady old plow-
horse that drew the buggy knew it also; ;
the impatient touch of the whip on his
tanks was succeeded by istless care
lessness, even on the levels where he
was so well accustomed to trot. He was
wise enough to take advantage of this,
and had very leisurely reached his usual
post in front of the store, when Susan
gave him the greatest surprise of his
life by suddenly jerking his head in the
opposite direction, driving through the
village half mile into the valley be-
yond, and then turning down meadow
road to grove where temperance meet
ings and summer picnics were some
times held
Her visit to such an unusual place, at
that season, was NOT unexpected. Scarce
had she drawn rein upon smooth,
open piece of turf near the bank of the
stream, when two men rode forth be-
tween the thickets to meet her. One
of them had dismounted and was at her
side before she could aight from the
buggy; the other let down the top, came
to the other side and took her second
kiss. She was so excited that her voice
trembled, in spite of her efforts to keep
it steady, and her eyes filed with tears
which at last overlooked.
"Oh"-(but we must not repeat the
names she uttered, or the whole secret
of the adventure might be guessed in
advance), "and oh, -! And you've
really come? I never had so much on
my mind before, and don't know how
to bear up under It'll It's like something
out of story something that does not
really happen-and after all this time"
Here her voice fairly broke down,
but the first rider sprung into the bug
gy, seated himself beside her, and held
her very gently and tenderly in his
arms.
The second of the two men
smiled. He doesn't know every
thing yet by long shot," he
said pointing to his friend-"no nor you
either, SUSAN A good deal more came
into my head, on the way home; it's
nothing that costs a great deal, and
mean, this once, to try if can't have
real pleasure of my own making"
Il think it is sign of luck, she said,
that you are able to come now, at
Christmas. And I'm tempted to give
up everything else, and take you home
with me in the buggy
" Susan!' cried the one who sat beside
her.
No, Evan!" she answered in soft
voice, 1 didn't really mean it, But 1
am not used to keeping secrets from
them at home. 1t has been very hard
to say nothing about the money for
three years, and you know what has
been harder still. Now that my waiting
is so near over, 1 think / could better
bear it longer than the uncertainty be-
tween now and tomorrow night"
Come, now, Susanl" said the first
Since you've helped me to pull through |
my trouble, don't you suppose mean
to see you squarely to the end of yours?
Evan, you didn't carry me off the field |
on yonr back, at Charlottesville, for
nothing! Get down out of that buggy
She'll make you as nervous as she is
herself. / won't have it, tell you.
Susan, take look at this horse, so that
you'll recognize him when you see him
a second time"
Thereupon he led his horse up and |
down on the turf-a tall. strong-limbed
bay, with q large, obedient, intelligent |
eye. "Oh, what a nice fellow" cried SUI
san, who had a correct instinct of the
value of horse, without being able to de-
scribe his points technically.
Evan knows why show him of"
said he, and both men burst into laugh.
1t was amazing what a weight seemed to
roll off Susan's mind, simply because
they laughed.
EVAN will take charge of me to-
night" he continued, "and Evan and /
have gone into partnership as drovers."
Here they laughed again, more heartily
than ever. But it's time for us to go;
the-zebra-no, antelope will be ready
by this time"
Evan, what does he mean?" cried
Susan; but Evan, after hasty parting
kiss, perhaps two SO combined as TO
mean one, had lightly sprung to the
ground. The two men mounted their
horses.
"One thing morel" said the first, as
hey were ready to leave. "By Jove, L
vas near forgetting it. Susan, whatever
happens at home early tomorrow morn
ng, don't be astonishedl No matter
what it is, am at the bottom of it."
1t was cruel, she thought, to leave
Ter such an enigma as part
ng gift. But they were gone; it
vas impossible to ask anything, and
,aoloaa - ooniao4ura There 1,oJ o1 / .