The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-02-14

session oil her lace.
She would sit for hours by herself,
and her friends were panied in the ex-
treme to behold her.
AS the year which John Aitken had
agreed to wait drew to a close, she be-
came nervous and irritable.
Her mother knew well enough what
was on her mind, but she did net dare
speak of John Aitken.
On the last day of the year John
walked up to the cottage.
Mrs. Tillson met him at the door.
as Sarah within ?" he asked.
YES replied Mrs. Tillson.
Tell her"
will you not see her2 You had bet
ter, / think. lido not care about taking
messages"
IT merely wish you to say that I
have called to release her from her
promise"
Sarah, who was sitting behind the
half-open door, heard every word that
was uttered.
Unable to bear the announcement he
made without some sign, she rushed
forward. and uttering the single word
John fell into his arms.
He very quitely carried her into the
cottage, and laid her down gently.
So you are not going to marry my
girl, Mr.. Aitken?' cried Mrs. Tillson.
/ am not aware that am under any
particular obligations TO do so,' he
answered,
You're sunshine lover, and / think
Sarah is well rid of you. / wouldn't
give pin for a man who couldn't love
through storm as well as sunshine
But the clouds will break yet, and may
be you'll be sorry, all of you. when it's
too late!" said the indignant mother.
Too latel' he repeated.
"Yes."
"What do you mean?"
Cant You see, my man" replied
Mrs. Tillson, you've as good as killed
my poor girl? You've given her her
death blow, or I'm not q sensible
woman ]"
/ trust not" he replied, evincing a
little more tenderness than he had
hitherto shown.
You'll find it so. When she's dead,
I'll write on her tombstone, Killed by
John Aitken.'"
John said nothing more, but coolly'
turned on his heel and left the place.
Mrs. Tilson's words, however, rang
in his ears.
In the course of his walk, he passed
the church-yard, and, scarcely knowing
why he did so, turned in.
The tombstones made him think of
what Sarah's mother had said.
Killed by John Aitken!"
If Sarah did die, as her mother with
prophetic voice predicted, would be be
indeed answerable for her death?
In manner, he would.
The reply given by his conscience was
not to be avoided.
But then, on the other hand, he could
scarcely be blamed for refusing to ally
his young life to a woman who had been
tried for theft.
All at once, he heard strange noise,
which, Mt first, he thought was made by
some bird in the air.
Looking up, he saw nothing.
Again the same strange sound saluted
his ears.
IL dpDcuItu W COIlC lut DtilI
Soon afterwards, he saw head pro-
truded from the narrow window.
1t was that of Nollykins.
The half witted lad instantly withdrew
it on seeing John Aitken.
That imp is up to some mischief
there I'll be boundl" cried John.
What's that you're saying. Mr..
Aitken?" asked voice at his elbow.
Turning sharply around, he recog-
nized Francis Mellish, the sexton.
"The lad they call Nollykins is up in
the belfry," he said.
"Yes,' replied Melish. Il sent him
there"
"For what?"
"He wanted n job, and told him he
might take few of the nests in there.
The magpies and jackdaws quite choke
the place mp. 1t is time some of them
were routed out.
At this moment, Nollykins descended
the stairs, and passed out through the
church door into the yard.
He held something in his hand, which
he appeared DESTROYS of concealing from
view.
What have you got thereY" asked
Mellish.
Nothing" replied the lad.
"Come here!" cried Aitken imperi-
ously.
Nollykins set off at run, but he was
captured by Aitken before he could get
far.
"Now, then, tell me what you have
therel" said John, holding him tight
ly by the collar Of his tattered jacket.
Gold" replied the lad.
He opened his closed hand, and dis
played something which made John
Athens heart palpitate strangely.
II tDds a bracelet.
Somewhat soiled and dirty, it is true,
but none the less bracelet.
A rapturous thought crossed Johns
mind.
Sarah's innocence might be proved,
after all
Where did this come from?' he
asked, in tremulous accsnts- eaf
up there" answered the lad, point
ing to the belfry.
"What, from the belfry?"
"Yes"