The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-05-30

CIV, or conversation even, with such
members of her household. The first
time ever had the pleasure of q chat
with the dear little creature / shall
never forget. It was bitter cold even
ing, and my mother and sisters were
out. When / entered the library, after
dinner, Miss de We're was sitting at the
table, writing.
"Do not let me disturb you," en-
treated, as she commenced to gather up
her papers, in order to depart.
Il can write in my own room as well,
she replied. "Only it is little warmer
here"
"Very well, them" I made answer,
"you must remain. II you consider it
absolutely essential for one of us to
leave, will depart Immediately"
The little lady turned upon me the
full light of her beaming eyes, while an
expression of fearlessness and determ-
nation dimmed the shy look for a
moment, and replied, "One of us must
leaUe! That you know, sir! And the
reason for such necessity you also un-
derstand. If you prefer your own
room, I will remain here. If not, the
library is at your ssrvice!"
The reader will agree with me, l
think, that this was decidedly cool.
There she stood, her pale face little
flushed, bundle of paper in one hand,
and her great brown eyes fixed inquir-
ingly upon my sountenance.
/ resolved to make one more attempt
to detain her.
"As you will, Miss de Vere,' re-
piled. But 1 am mt loss to under
stand why, when, without fattering my
self, I trust, think we shall be mutu-
ally pleased with an evening together
in the library, we may not enjoy it like
sensible folks. L am lonely, and desire
yes, really need entertainment, and
of a kind not to be had from books.
You are tired with your school-room du-
ties, and should have change and recre-
alton. Please be seated, and let's con-
verse Will. like Christians"
She evidently did not hear the last
of the sentence. Her eyes took on a
far-away, wistful look, and tears-I
could plainly distinguish the little
pearly drops-trembled on the fringed
lids.
For a moment she stood, silent and
wistful, then turned away with simple
"Good night, Mr.. Sinclair"
would have detained her even then,
but she closed the door, and, in mo-
ment after, heard her light step upon
the stairs
"An extremely pleasant position for a
social man," said to myself. What
sin has this beautiful and intellectual
woman committed against society. that
she is not entitled to its full privileges
And when my mother entered the
library, dignified and urbane as usual,
just least bit enthusiastic over the
brilliant assembly she had just left, 1
was deep in the question of woman's
rights, and had decided that, whatever
the risks, whether socially and politi-
cally ostracized, would direct my en-
ergies toward the total demolishing of
all conventionalism, which prevented a
decent mans enjoyment. There was
nothing selfish, of course, in this view
of the case.
"What do you imagine, mother, to be
the reason asked of this august indi-
vidual, as she stood warming her feet at
the CRATE, "that could not persuade
Miss de We're to spend the evening with
me in the library? She ran away Like a
frightened fawn."
do you mean to inslnuate, Frank,
that you extended an invitation to Miss
de We're to that effect?" inquired my
mother, looking straight into my eyes
with her keen black ones.
"Insinuate! No, mother. But dis
tinctly declare that did extend an invi-
tation of that character to Miss de We're,
which invitation she declined"
(Which distinctly proved that the
governess had g more correct idea of
propriety than gentleman, born and
Bred whose education has been con-
Quoted with the strictest regard to the
demands of society. This only adds
another proof of Miss de Vere's fitness
for the position, and furnishes the first
testimony ever received of my sons I'M
fitness for the company of his equals
and superiors."
And my mother, without another
word, sailed majestically from the
room.
Knocked my head against rock |
Might have known It'll" was my inward
ejaculation as the door closed between
us.
The next evening I spent with my
betrothed. She was as cold, dignified
and formal as ever. Some way began
to be dissatisfied with the manner of
my reception. Strangely enough, 1
found myself unable longer to relish
two hours on the same sofa with a
woman who invariably withdrew her
hand from my clasp as soon as it was
taken, and insisted that kiss upon the
cheek at coming and going was all the
caressing allowable between engaged
parties.
as this the way lovers usually behave,
Miss Mariana" 1 ventured to inquire,
after several Intellectual attempts to keep
my arm asound her waist.
Il presume so" was her reply, with
out the least frightening of color. "All
well-bred and refined persons agree in
regard to the requirements of propriety,
presume;" and then adroitly changed
the conversation; but / was not to be
driven from the new platform I had
taken my stand upon by any such arti-