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

lam, laughing. 81 can easily afford it
thanks to Susan and Evan Powell"
Lydia Maria became rigid. Susan
and - she could not bring herself to
pronounce the name. Gideon looked
perplexed, and even little abashed.
We will take advantage of their sur
prise and expectant silence, and relate
as much as is necessary of Williams
history.
Gideon, from the start, had been bit
terly opposed to the war, and he secret
ly exulted over every disaster to the
Union arms. Hence he could have felt
no sorer wound than the enlistment of
his son William inflicted on his nature.
Williams inseparable school-friend was
Evan Powell, whose father was staunch
Union man, and who volunteered at the
first call made by Abraham Lincoln.
1t was not long before William fol-
lowed; but the two were not much to-
gether during the war. William became
First Lieutenant, while Evan rose only
to he Sergeant Major; but the former
was sent home severely wounded, early
in the fourth year of the struggle. The
long and careful nursing he required
was an additional grievance to the
father; and still more SO the announce
ment that he would be untitled for farm
labor, and must find some other way of
living
The end of it was that William went
to Colorado, where his health improved
so rapidly, and the active life of pio-
neer so readily adapted itself to his ma
ture, that he had remained there ever
since.
Gideon Lane, if the exact truth could
be known, had probably outlived his
political grievance against William.
Three years before, however, the latter
had written to his father, giving the de-
tails of an extensive venture which he
had made in building-lots at Denver and
Colorado Springs. He clearly saw his
way to fortune, if-and this was fate
full contingency-he could get posses
sion of $4,000 or $4,000 more. Now,
this was very nearly the sum which his
father had saved during lifetime of
severe economy, and invested in first
liens" upon property which he knew.
1t was like asking the old man to tear
out his heart and hand it over on plate
He refused, in terms which expressed
his surprise and wrath, and William had
not written again. Susan was the only
member of the family with whom he
kept up correspondence.
v
Williams beaming, happy face seemed
to double the sunshine in the parlor.
Gideon Lane also was happy, for of late
years he had not been at all easy in his
mind in regard to his treatment of his
youngest son and daughter Evan
Powell and Susan were lovers, and as
faithfully betrothed to each other as
was possible, while one. of the families
was determined to preventit. Jeremiah
had never said much, one way or the
other, but Gideon had despotically for
hidden all intercourse, and Lydia Maria,
beginning with the declaration: "Not
while livel" had exerted all, and more
than all, of the authority which had
come to her by inheritance from their
dead mother. Evan was farmer also,
but his father was poor, and he was one
of many children. Both he and Susan
felt that it might be better to wait few
years rather than to begin married life
with a double cloud hanging over them.
"Sit down, Lydia Marial Sit down,
JEREMIAH" cried William, taking a
chair himself. Father, there's no use
in keeping things hidden, when their
telling will do no harm. We've always
hna,, o1Aca ~, g.,
trouble where we shouldn't, and keep it
longer than we need to-"
Maybe So" murmured Gideon Lane,
leaning back in his cushioned seat.
"When you wouldn't let me have the
money" William continued, 81 had to
do what would have been wicked if
had failed in my plans. 1 borrowed
from Susan her share of Aunt Ruth's
estate-with several years interest and
all her little savings added, 81 500"
=" So that was the mystery about man.
aging her own affairs and looking for
better security" cried Lydia Maria.
"Then turned to Evan Powell. He
was working hard and laying up-you
all know the reason of it-and he sent
me about as much more. l had hard
work to pull through and save my
chances; but it's done, now-wen done
and safely. Why, they call me a rich
man out in Colorado"
Il suppose you can well afford to
make such famous Christmas gifts"
said his father. But why didn't you
bring something for Susan?"
Il don't want Susan began to pro-
test, but William stopped her. He was
about to speak, but suddenly turned,
went to the western window of the
room, pulled aside the muslin curtain
which hung before it, and waved his
hand as if reckoning to some one out
side. The others were too preoccupied
to take much notice of this movement.
Susan, however, grew quite pale.
ct hare brought something for SUI
san, father" William went on to say
" have it in my pocket" He took out
q heavy, folded paper, which had an
official look about it.
"Oh, see; her money"
"This is an agreement with John |
Perkins to sell me his farm, at $500 an
acre"
"Why, William" Gideon cried out;