The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-11-21

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sire for her society, for they were usu-
ally as distant as the poles. She fam
cied an unusually malicious twinkle
lurking in the seamstress' snaky black
eyes.
suppose you've heard the news ("
with sharp side glance and an air of
immense Importance.
News? No, Pve heard no news
worth mentioning" returned Ivy, in her
most indifferent tones.
Well, don't know as You'll con-
slider tins worth mentioning" retorted
Alvira, 5ridling mp. "It's about Mr..
Dalton-Joe Dalton, you know. But
yon used to be so Uery intimate with
him that l thought perhaps it might
interest you to know" She paused and
looked Ivy full in the face. "He's
married." she said, and there was
hateful, cruel light on her mean
face as she watched the effect of her
words.
Married." echoed Ivy, with wide,
startled eyes. 81 don't believe it'll" she
added, bluntly, in her bewilderment for
getting Der politeness.
Oh, very WE'LL" shifted Miss Al
vira, her nose in the air as she turned
togo.
Excuse me-" stammered Ivy, putting
out her hand to detain her, CT
thought you must have been misin-
formed. How did you hear?"
oh" said Miss Simms, sostening,
only too glad of the chance to go over
the details. 81 didn't hear at ALL
saw! was up at the 'Squires when he
brought her home. The sewing-room
door was open, and saw them come
into the hall together. Then his moth
er and the Squire ran out, and heard
him Introduce her as their new daugh-
ter. Then, in the middle of the laugh
ing, and kissing, and handshaking, some
one closed the door to prevent the
dressmaker from witnessing their fami-
ly Joys, 1 suppose"
Poor Ivy! She turned faint and
SICK as the fatal truth forced itself upon
her. Her face grew white as death,
and there was stony look of misery
In the soft eye that would have melted
less cruel heart than that of the wom-
an beside her. But in the midst of her
misery pride came to her aid. One
Shlng she was resolved upon-no one
should ever suspect her anguish; no
one should ever say that she wore the
willow for gay Joe Dalton.
How she accomplished the rest of the
distance to church she never knew.
She had confused remembrance that
she turned the subject with some COM
monplacer emarks-that she discussed
the weather, the fall styles, the new
minister, with now and then laugh or
careless jest, in much her usual fashion.
till they parted at the church door. and
Ivy mechanically assembled the gallery
stairs and took her place among the
"singers' seats"
why, Ivy Sunderlandl" chorused
the girls; what IS the matter? You're
as white as sheet. and your ewes
why, girls, just look at her eyes!S
"There, girls" said Ivy, with faint
smile. please don't talk to me; I've
got horrible headache" Which was
true enough, but heartache would have
been truer.
30 the kind-hearted creatures hustled
about and brought her a glass of water
and battered old palm-leaf fan from
dusty closet, and mercifully left her at
peace. But for once the soaring So
prano was silent, and the anthem
obliged to pursue its winding way with
out her aid, while she sat on one side
idly watching the congregation drifting
IN, one by one, with their shining holt
day faces.
By-and-by came a firm, light tread
up the aisle, and Ivy closed her eyes
with sickening shudder. When she
opened them again Joe Dalton stood at
the head OF their pew, ushering in a
tiny, elegant creature in rustling, pur-
pie silks, cloud of fluffy blonde hair
above a childish face, and eyes like great
soft violets. He faced the choir for an
instant, and, as his eyes met Ivy's, the
whole face Lit up with O CLEAN of dark
eyes and flash of dazzling teeth be-
meath his brown mustache.
But the smile faded to look of half
indignant surprise as Ivy looked straight
on and beyond him without the slight
est sign OF recognition, and he settled
himself with that impatient shake of the
broad shoulders which Ivy knew SO
well.
Long after service she fingered in the
gallery to avoid all chance of meeting
him, and then slowly made her way
home, curious numb feeling at her
heart, strange blur and chill over the
sunny autumn landscape and in the
crisp, golden air.
But when she reached home she was
even more gay and cordial than usual
In her greetings of the numerous aunts,
uncles, and young fry of cousins who
had assembled there during the morn
ing; and all that afternoon her laugh
was the loudest, her jest the widest
among all that hilarious group. A
bright spot burned on either cheek, and
there was feverish light in her eyes
but no one knew that her hands and feet
were like ice, that the wild gayety came
rom an excitement that Just escaped
delirium. And when Julia Hunt and
her cousin called they found her radiant
N the blue silk, and ready to discuss
the news" which, thanks to Miss
Simms, was at present briskly circulat-
ng from one end of Redleaf to the
other; praising the bride, too, in such
glowing terms that the two girls. watch