The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-05-16
may 1 be permitted to join in the festiv-

rain began. He was most gentleman
ly man, and deservedly beloved by all
who lived on the estate and in the ad-
jacent villages.
He had given Stephen long lease of
the little farm he rented, and helped
him materially in a few improvements
he had carried out.
His first act was to give man a SOW
ereign, and desire him to bring in a
fresh supply of beer and spirits, then
he looked at the girls, who we're all in a
hutter of expectation as to whether he
would dance or not.
Stephen Earnshaw had been very
civil to the Squire, but he was secretly
annoyed at his arrival, for he was fas-
cinating young fellow, who had been in
the army, dressed to perfection, and was
the sort of man who would turn the
heads of halfa dozen rustic beauties.
Going up to Margaret, Stephen said,
in a half whisper, will you dance with
me, Margaret"
"Not just now" she replied.
Il want you to-" he persisted.
Il can't help that. I'm my own mis-
tress now, whatever 1 may be some
day"
She turned away, and he, following
the direction of her eyes, saw that her
glance rested on Squire Langley.
Stephen walked away abruptly. The
Squire met him.
"Who's that tall, fine girl you were
speaking to, Earpshaw?" he said.
She lives in the village" replied
Stephen, artfully avoiding direct an
swcr.
"Win you introduce me to her? 1
should like to ask her to dance"
With very ill-grace, Stephen said,
81 suppose I must"
What do you mean by that?" ex-
claimed Mr.. Langley. "I hope my in
nocent request has not offended you. F"
Not at all" replied Stephen.
&c Is the girl anything to you?"
"She might be, but she isn't" said
Stephen morosely.
ooh, that is all right. So long rs / do
not arouse any jealous feelings, /"
"Never you mind, Squirrel" cried
Stephen, with forced laugh. "If you
like the girl, you can dance with her,
and marry her, too, if you have mind"
Mr. Langley was about to make some
comment on this remarkable speech,
when Stephen seized him by the arm,
and drew him towards Margaret.
Here, Margaret" he exclaimed, in
loud voice. "I've brought you part
nerp
"For lifep she said, with peculiar
smile.
THAT remark is rather premature, u
said Mr.. Langley.
Il like to tease Stephen" she an
swered, as Earnshaw strobe away with
dark scowl.
The fiddler struck up a waltz, and
without another word, Mr.. Langley
grasped her firmly by the waist, and
whirled her round and round in giddy
maze.
Stephen leant against the wooden
wall of the barn, and did not know that
Annie was close to him until she spoke
Margaret is not treating you well,
she said
what makes you think SOP" he
asked, being in a contradictory mood
II am not blind, Stephen" she re.
piled.
II wish I was blind and deaf, too" he
said, wildly.
There was a pause, which he broke
saying: $50 you are going to service
my little Annie?"
"Soon," she replied.
"Too soon."
@Why?" she asked, casting down heI
eyes.
Il don't know exactly. / was think
ing you might have heard of something
to your advantage here" he said, hest.
tatingly.
81 think shall get on better in Lon
don," Annie said. "No one cares fol
me here. may get husband in town
and that, you know, Stephen, is the end
of every woman's ambition"
"Is't?" he replied, shortly.
Presently he asked her to dance, and
she consenting, they were soon in the
midst of it.
The barn floor was not very good fol-
dancing. The wood had been worn
away in many places by the action OF
the fails used for tbreshing purposes.
Stephen Earnshaw danced until
Annie had scarcely any breath left; but
she was so happy in being SO near
Stephen that she did not complain.
All at once, the flooring gave way in
particular spot, and Stephen fell
through a depth of about foot He
was not hurt; but Annie, in falling with
him, sprained her ankle.
Are you hurt?" asked Stephen, ex-
Treating her and himself from their
unpleasant position.
"A little" she replied, family.
"Where? Your foot? Sit down on
this chair" he said, handling her gently,
and bestowing a brotherly attention
upon her.
The music stopped, and the dancers
congregated round Annie, who suffered
some pain. But, though twinge would
now and then cross her features, she
bore it bravely.
"She had better be taken home," said
some one.
Stephen acted upon the suggestion
by taking Annie up in his arms like q
baby, and saying he would carry her
home.
The rain had now ceased, and the
moon and stars were shining brightly
Stephen bore his burden safely home