The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-06-06
nate at once his despair, his misery, and

Had he been allowed more time to re-
feet, his high sense of honor might
have occasioned him to revolt at the
fatal deed; but famine stuck her sharp
sting into his very soul; and when the
young girl as promptly returned, the
casket and cross were safely concealed
in the breast of Salvatore.
He had fallen! He was thief
felon
at is too late" she said; mo one in
the house knows the true value of this
ring-it is an antique gem-but my
father, and he, regret to add, will not
be visible till the morning."
Salvatore stammered out his thanks,
and Quilted the shop so hastily as to for
get entirely the ring of his mother,
which the daughter of the jeweler still
held toward him, calling after him in
vain.
He had scarcely proceeded ten PAGES,
however, when an invisible voice in his
ear seemed to remind him of his forget
fulness-his delinquency; it sounded
like the reproving voice of his mother.
He paused abruptly, as if resolved, yet
afraid, to return.
Balancing his resolution between re-
covering the ring and facing the, per-
haps, detection of his crime, cry of
distress from the shop suddenly arrest
ed his attention; it was the troubled
voice of the young girl. In that sound
Salvatore forgot everything else, and,
rushing back, he beheld the jewelers.
beautiful daughter struggling with a
drunken ruffian, who, seeing her alone,
had evidently entered either to insult
her or commit, perhaps, like himself,
felony. In less than half an instant, the
hand of Salvatore had grasped the fell
lows throat, and thrust him forth into
the street; in less than another half
instant, the shop was filled with its at
tendants, policemen, and Mr.. Altenbury
himself, who had suddenly returned;
but, when the grateful father looked
round to thank the gallant defender of
his child, he had disappeared, and was
gone, as hastily as he had entered.
Hurrying up the Parade, Salvatore
inserted himself through narrow and
almost dark passage by which way he
hoped to avoid pursuit-into totally
different track, which led, like laby-
rinth, to his obscure lodgings. At
length, almost breathless with haste and
excitement, he paused a moment, like
a pursued and frightened hare, under
a solitary lamp post, to listen. All was
silent-not sound-no footstep fol-
lowed him-he was quite alone. 1t was
now almost perfectly dark and, casting
his eyes on the pavement, the better,
by the lamp, to pass an open drain, he
was surprised to see something glitter
on the ground, which, STOPPING to pick
up, he discovered to be half-crown
piece, prize of far greater value to
him at that moment than the rich jewel
concealed in his breast. Waiting to
dispose of the one, he must have died
of famine; the other would Immediately
restore him to life and existence. SO
much for the intrinsic value of all
things earthly.
Once more safely in his little cham
Der, what would Salvatore have given
to have possessed the same feeling of
innocence with which he had so recent
ly quilted it; he distinctly felt the
burning brand of Lucifer, as if it pos
sessed an exulting and triumphant
voice, exclaiming, "Thou art not
minel" 1t was dark, save the glimmer
of the lamps in the road outside, which,
ascending family even up to that
height, seemed to transform every OBJ
ject, the chairs and the bedposts, into a
spy or a police-officer. All was still,
however. He felt himself .feGrJully
alone, and was about to throw himself
on the bed, for he had become faint and
sick from exhaustion-absolutely from
want of food-having had nothing to
eat for nearly two whole days. At that
instant light footstep sounded start
lingly on the stairs; he sank back again
into his seat, trembling and almost ready
to faint with apprehension of the en-
trance of pursuer.
TWAS only the land lady, however, who
entered as the door stood open, with
candle in her hand. She started at the
sight of Salvatore, not expecting to find
him there, perhaps installing him for
ghost, as his pale and frightened looks
might well imply.
DCB puluOh, ohO ihuuuOIO Dub l.
did not hear you enter, sir; and"
"Never mind" interrupted Salvatore.
courage at the sight of her.
What o'clock is it?
"Now g."
els the grocer's shop open over the
way?"
ooh, yes looking over the lower
white blind or curtain-they never shut
till 10. Can I"
Eyes; have the headache"
"Ah, the wine at supper, I suppose,
Or"
Poor Salvatore forgot that he had
been ont to supper. What supper!
But suddenly recollecting the half
crown, he drew it forth from his waist
coat pocket, and, extending it toward
her, added, "You would, perhaps, pur-
chase me some coffee?"
And as she, with smile, acquiesced,
and was going, she turned round, and
said, placing her light on the small
table, You have no candle. Shall /
purchase some candles also?"
Yes, yes,' replied he, impatiently,
and-and some bread and butter; for
/ was i'll and could not eat any supper
1 feel faint, and dizzy, and hungry
The woman looked at his blanched