The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-05-16
OF course it was impossible for Annie

'"hooSo W Aohi"ihAhS iohScI III OWL
lowfield.
She heard that Margaret and Mr..
Langley had met more than once, and
that they had actually taken walk to-
gether.
Stephen came to see her very fire.
quently; and she could tell from his
manner that the rumors current respect
ing Mr.. Langley and Margaret had
reached his ear.
:" 1t is long time since you and Mar
garet were out together" Annie re-
marked one day.
"How long?" he asked.
may, 1 know not. 1t is for you to
tell" replied Annie.
Better late than never" he said.
IF l were man, Stephen" Annie
continued, "I should not care about
woman who lets every one know that
she does not care for me-"
"What is the difference between such
one and one who never loses a chance
of indirectly telling a man that she
loves him?" he demanded, turning
round almost fiercely upon Annie.
She made no answer.
"Do you see Margaret now?" he
went on.
"She comes here" was Armies guard
ed reply.
Give her message from me-will
you?"
Half dozen, if you like. What shall
1 say?"
Tell her to meet me, and take a
walk, next Sunday"
"Oh!" CALCULATED Annie.
"Your foot hurts ysu!" he said, with
some solicitude.
1T does occasionally" replied Annie.
But it was not her foot that troubled
her. She felt a pang when he spoke
of meeting Margaret.
You will see her, and give her my
message?" asked Stephen.
Yes" she rejoined, laconically.
Sand let me know her reply?"
Ct will write"
Stephen was satisfied with this reply,
and thanked Annie, who appeared alb
sorbed in thought.
The young man was opening the
door for reconciliation. What should
she do? A renewal of amicable rela-
tons between Stephen Earnshaw aud
Margaret Minton would be fatal to all
Armies cherished hopes and dearly
petted visions.
She would most decidedly not hear
of anything to her advantage if that
took place.
Annie had not spoken truly when she
said that Margaret came to see her.
Margaret had not once been near her
since her accident; but the day after the
conversation with Stephen, greatly to
her surprise, dropped in.
ooh, it is you, dear!" exclaimed
Annie.
81 came to inquire how your foot
was" said Margaret.
much better, thanks; but not nearly
well yet. You are quite stranger"
Il have been much engaged" Marga-
ret answered, with some embarrassment
adding, "How is Stephen?"
II never saw him better. He was
here yesterday, laughing and talking.
"What did he say?"
"He was talking about the fancy he
once had for you, DEAR" said Annie.
"Fancy!" repeated Margaret, turn
ing very pale.
"Yes, DEAR" replied Annie, who was
overwhelmingly kind, that was what
he called it. He said, too, he had heard
of your going about with the Squire, and
hoped you would come to no harm, as
he had once cared great deal for you.
Margaret bit her lips till the blood
came.
"He added, dear, that he would make
the bell-ringers a present of pound
apiece when he heard of your marriage
as he still had some little regard fol
you, in spite of your treatment of him.
IF he had such remarks to make, il
is a pity he did not come to me and
make them!" said Margaret, who could
not keep back the tears which sprung to
her eyes.
"You must admit, dear, that you have
been to blame"
II admit nothing of the sort. can
do better than Stephen Earnshaw any
day of the week"
Margaret tossed her head, and turned
to go. Every one of Armies malevolent
shafts had hit its mark, but she still
pretended 10 be OVERLOOKING with the
milk of human kindness.
Il am very sorry for you, DEAR she
added. II really did not think you
would feel it so much"
II do not feel it," cried Margaret
"and it Is wicked Of you to say such a
thing. If you want the man, and he
will have You, you can take him, for
what care"
81 want him!" said Anhe, in a tone
of the utmost surprise; my dear Mar
garet, what could have put that idea in
your head?"
"Oh, can seel When marry, you
can be sure of one thing"
What is that, dear?" asked Annie,
looking calm and innocent.
II won't have a man who has been re-
fused by any other woman
With this parting shot, Margaret took
her departure. Envy, hatred, malice,
and all uncharitableness were, however,
gnawing at her heart.
Annie Ruthven did not feel the pain
her wounded foot occasioned her. She
was too pleased to think of anything
but the triumph she had gained over
Margaret.
Try as hard as she would, she could
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