The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-07-12

explosion. If Algernon and Maggie un-
derstood each other, 30 did Frank and
Jessie, and the numerous excursions
and picnics in which they passed the
afternoons only served to rivet their
bonds closer. 3 ''.i ita
One sultry afternoon a last excursion
was planned to the Fairy Glen. The
party had been increased on this occasion
by three couples from neighboring
parish, and, despite the threatening APP
pearance of certain huge masses of
cloud, the expedition started. The TO-
mantle spot which Maggie-no mean
Judge in these matters---had selected fer
| the afternoon meal was one of those
lovely bits of landscape so, familiar to
many of us. A brawling stream makes
| its way amidst Undiscovered powders,
over pebbly shadows, and swirls beneath
| the wild flowers beneath its banks
Then, gliding calmly into an unruffied
pool, it lazily creeps beneath a pictur-
esque bridge, through The single arch of
which ancient structure the moor is
seen, extending its wide, undulating
curves. AND then the water, secure in
its pride of high birth in yonder hills,
takes no heed of the narrow passage till,
ere it is aware, it is caught in rapid,
and hurried over the cascade to the sea,
where it is lost forever. iate 90
Such were the features of the woodland
dining. room on that eventful day-a day
never to be forgotten by any member of
that merry party.
The cloth was soon laid beside the
stream, and, when all was ready, full
justice was done to the al frescO meal.
More than once muttered growl or sub
dued roll was heard over the hills, but
the suggestion of thunder was met by
the reply that the sound was merely the
echoes of the blasting operations at the
quarries, or the rattling of the trucks on
the neighboring tramway. tl.b
The air got more and more sultry, and
even the insects seemed to sleep, The
trees whispered to each other, and their
topmost branches waved gentle well
come to the scarcely felt breeze that
stirred the leaves. The picnic party
broke into groups after dinner; the
groups into pairs, each cautioning the
others not to 60 too far, as there was q
storm brewing Frank and Jessie did
not wander away. Escorted by Algernon
and Maggie to rustic seat above the
stream, close to a tall and sheltering
tree, they sat together, while the more
venturesome of the party climbed the
tall rocks, or wandered up the stream,
leaping from stone to stone, where as
sistance and much holding of hands was
a necessity. MO ..U oa
Oh, we Devon streams, for what are
We not responsible? How many happy
faces We have mirrored in your spark
ling waters
Frank and Jessie chatted for some
time on Indifferent subjects, until at last
she sighed deeply, and said half alb
seutly:
"Oh, how very sorry I shall be to
leave here have been 30 happy !"
Then she added, suddenly: EVERY one
has been 80 very kind 10 me -
am Greadlully sorry you must CO."
he said, with an answering sigh, and
somehow, as he spoke, we know not
how-how does it ever happen -their
hands touched; his fingers clasped hers
and hers were not withdrawn. The train
was fired
Jessie. dearest JESSIE" he whis-
pered, "can you love me? Will you be
my wife ?"
There was no reply. unless an almost
imperceptible pressure of the taper fin
gers could be so termed. Frank took it
for assent, and, bending down, he kissed
the lovely face once, twice, thrice, till
the cheeks were as brilliant as the Grim
son rose Jessie wore in her dress.
"My own, my darling" was all he
said. A sharp peal OF thunder passed
away unheeded as he spoke. After
pause he resumed
$50 you do love me, Jessie never
thought you would care for me, dear.
"Indeed do, she whispered "why
should not? But often wonder that
you selected me as your companion all
these weeks, for am so unfortunate.
"Why, my darling, how are you I'M
Fortunately" and he passed his arm
around her taper waist. sUIE1 sf.u
fv" Because-because- -ohl L cannot
bear to mention it; though I do. not
mind now-at least, not nearly 80
much" n'"
= :" But what is this terrible reason why
/ should not love you, Jessie Tell me.
dearest. - .samo' 's,'ail siet 's- s'''
q"Oh, Frank that is like your kind
sympathy for me. OF course, you
guess. 1t is because am blind, you
know - ...... ...., -.
Frank recoiled as If he had been
stung, choking gasp escaped him, and
he could not speak for moment.
"Blind y he repeated at length, as if
in a dream; blind Oh, Jessiei Scam
TT
1t was too true. Blind from his birth,
Frank Carson had never dreamed that
Jessie was afflicted like himself. Maggie
had never told him this, and the terrible
fact was now revealed to the lovers for |
the first time. Franks knowledge of
the ground and neighborhood in which
he had lived for years had enabled |
him to keep Jessie in ignorance of his
which he of course fancied |
she was aware of.
And had it come to this after all
Jessie seized his hand. "Oh, do not
tell me that Frank, dear Frank, say
you can see me Have you never seen
me, never at all p
She waited breathless for his answer.
1t fell almost like blow.
Never