The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-02-14
strains," said Sarah. |. He is clearly not

hono anu ouah oc eAhu Oh your coH
pany."
He placed himself by her side with
alacrity, and they walked steadily along
till they came to stile, over which he
assisted her. They were now in the
lane which led In direct line to her
fathers house.
1 hear, Sarah, |" exclaimed the young
man. that you think of leaving the
village shortly"
Indeed! Who told you SOP" she
asked, willing to mystify him little.
II really forget. 1t would give me
some trouble to trace vague report to
its source, but is it so?"
He looked earnestly at her, and wait
ed, she fancied, anxiously for her reply.
Il am in hopes" Sarah answered, "of
getting employment here. If SO, 1
should be under no necessity to leave
Barsley"
That is good news. Who has of
fered to employ you?"
Mrs. Rutherford
"You could not be in better family"
said John Aitken. II am the more
pleased because We shall be near one
another"
"How can that please you, Mr.. Ait
KEMP" asked Sarah, innocently.
Can you not guess?"
She shook her head, as if fairly puz-
zled.
Il must help your sluggish compre-
hension, can see," said John Aitken;
shat is, if / shall not offend you by so
doing"
Not in the least"
"That is right. You must have no.
ticed, Sarah, that I have sought your
society on every possible occasion"
"Ye-es," replied Sarah, hesitatingly,
as if she was no. quite sure OF the fact.
Sin another years time shall come
into good bit of money, left me by my
aunt" continued John Aitken; with
this intend to set up farming on my
own account. Then shall only waIE
one thing"
"What is that?"
"a wife," he returned.
Sarah gave a tiny scream of amaze
ment.
"a wife," she repeated. "Oh, Mr..
Aitken, whatever would you do with
wife? You would be out all day with
dogs and gun, and am afraid your poor
"You do not believe that in your
heart, SARAH" he exclaimed, in tone
that showed her levity panied him.
Forgive me- she answered, lowering
her eyes; "but you are full young to
marry"
why, Sarah" John Aitker ex-
claimed, IT had no idea you were such
moralizer; one would think you were
grandmother of 70. Now, tell me,
where shall 1 look for wife?"
"You will be wanting great lady,
I'm thinking" said Sarah Tillson, mus
ingly.
and don't want to move in set above
me. My father married a dairymaid,
and he has never repented it; for she's
made more money than ever she spent"
"A farmers daughter, then?' sug-
gested Sarah.
Somehow or other, her eyes were a
little moist, her voice was just tho least
bit husky, and her face became hot and
cold by turns.
Il don't know of one about here that
I'd care to make my wife, Sarah" he
reioined. "They are al too frivolous to
please me-too fond of finery and "trip
perry"
You are very hard to please.
don't know that i can assist you any
further"
Yes, you can
"In what way?"
"By consenting to be my wife your
self, Sarah" said John Aitken, looking
lovingly at her, and taking the unresist-
ing hand in his.
Sarah had an intimation ut first that
Mr.. Aitken meant to ask her to engage
herself to him.
She was, therefore, prepared with an
answer.
If, at the end of the year, you are
still of the same mind" she replied, 81
will cheerfully consent, dear John, for
have often thought that if ever mar
ried, should like toto"
She hesitated, as if she feared her
candor might betray her into an un-
maidenly confession.
Seeing her embarrassment, he hast
ened to relieve her to the best of his
ability, and said:
You wish me to understand that
you reciprocate my admiration and
affection for you. Is it not SOP"
Eyes" she answered.
"Very well; let us consider ourselves
engaged. We are both young; but in
years time we shall, as you suggest,
be able to tell if we shall suit one an
other. If you see cause or reason to
change your mind, will not hold
you to your promise, and, of course, 1
shall expect the same btitude to be ex-
tended to myself" Ht
Certainly" Sarah replied.
They had now almost insensibly
reached old Peter Tfilson's cottage.
Il suppose I am at liberty to tell
mether?" said Sarah. Il
ooh, yes. Why keep the affair a.
secret? There is nothing to be ashamed
of in two people loving one another, is
there, my pretty Sarahp"
II should hope not" she replied.
Il won't come in inst now" Aitken
continued; Il feel little clustered and
furried. Make my compliments to the
old people, and Heaven bless you, Sally,