The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-05-16
When Steoben rece;ved this his homes

When Stephen received this, his hopes
were attacked by death-blow. He had
fancied that Margaret would relent mt
the eleventh hour, and that she was, in
reality, only INDUCING in "a harmless
Irritation with Mr. Langley.
At first, he vowed to be revenged on
the Squire; but, when his reason and
his common sense came to his aid, he
saw that he really had nothing to COM
plain of.
Margaret had not promised to marry
him, so that the Squire had not robbed
him of her affections.
Half distracted, he sought Annie, to
have the full particulars of her inter
view with Margaret.
This course, as it may be imagined,
did not tend to increase his quietude.
Margaret had an appointment with
the Squire on the very evening that she
called upon Annie, and listened to the
falsehoods she poured into her ears.
Her object in visiting Annie was to
find out whether there was any chance
of receiving forgiveness from Stephen
for the way in which she had behaved
to him.
If Annie had told her the truth, she
would have spoken very differently to
Mr.. Langley than she did
The trysting spot was an aged oak in
central part of Mr.. Langley's park.
He was leaning against the trunk OF
the tree as she came up. He grasped
her hand heartily, and, in low, thrill
ing voice, which told how much he
loved her, said, "Thanks, darling, fol
your kindness in meeting me! Have
you arranged in your own mind what
you will do?"
II have, Mr.. Langley" she replied.
Pray do not keep me in suspense!'
he exclaimed.
"You have offered to marry me-" she
said, "and accept your offer"
Scarcely had the words escaped hel
lips than he caught her in his arms, and
kissed her tenderly again and again.
When his transport of Joy was over
he exclaimed, "You are lovely and lady
like, and, 1 am persuaded, will grace the
station in which shall place YOU"
"Let one thing be fully understood
between us" said Margaret, whose man
ner was very cold, hard and stern: q
cannot give you the full amount of vir
gin love which you may, perhaps, expect
for have loved another"
"Anotherl" replied Mr.. Langley.
at can be no secret to you. Although
Stephen Earnshaw once was master O.
my heart, he has, by his conduct, erased
his image from it. L did not, until late
ly, know how much loved him. That
however, is a dream of the past. For
give my candor. will do all that lay.
in my power to prove myself a good
afectionate and dutiful wife, and show
that | am grateful for the high homo;
you intend doing me-
The Squire kissed her again, assuring
her that he would take his chance o
healing her heart-wouad; but, if love OF
his part should do it, such love woul(
not be found wanting.
The news of Margaret's good forum,
was soon all over the village of Swallow
field. The marriage day was fixed, an(
the ceremony was to take place in three
weeks time.
Annie Ruthven did not, in the least
envy Margaret her luck in catching tn
Squire, provided she could secure he
hearts idol.
Time glided by.
Stephen was not seen much about
He had never been frequenter of pub
lic-houses. Sometimes Annie saw him
and then he smiled upon her, and Gale,
her "ittle pet" and "his gentle Annie.
The day before that appointed TO
Margaret's marriage with the Squire
Stephen called upon Annie, who's
sprained foot was getting much bette,
She sat up in an armchair, and coul'
hobble about with the aid of stick.
"Pve been thinking, Annie" he said
taking a seat near her.
"Indeed!" she replied. "Have yo'
made any scientific discovery by doin
SOP"
"Not that / am aware of. It's jus
this. If ether people are going to b
married tomorrow, why should no
we?"
I'VE, Stephen Do you mean 20,
and ~"
Certainly do"
How do you know I will have you?
Annie said. 1T is like your impudenc
to suppose such thing"
wont you have me, Annie?" h
asked lovingly.
do you really mean it, Stephen? ?"
GAS heaven hears me, 1 dol Marriag
is much too sacred a thing to jest absut
l can get special license, and we cal
be married tomorrow"
"Then am yours, Stephen!" replied
Annie. He did not kiss her; he merel.
patted her on the head, and said, "Tha
is good girl! We will be married to
morrow" And from this Annie knew
that he was going to marry her out o
spite. %
This was not very fattering to he
vanity; but he would be her husband
and that was all she cared about.
Early in the morning the bells begaI
to ring, announcing this double wed
ding, which had taken the village b.