Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1879-09-13


fashioned clock in the corner rang out
its shrill announcement; six o'clock.
and OH mother, here is Jenny Lane,
punctual to the very moment. Now we
shall have good news from Jack, l hope"
She ran out to the gate, flushed and
eaper- to receive the letter from the
country carrier; and, returning, seated
herself on low stool at her mothers
feet. and broke the envelope.
On the first glance at its contents, a
shade of disappointment dimmed her
bright face.
Instead of reading the note aloud, she
glanced hurriedly over the brief lines,
and then silently, with quiyering lip,
placed it in her mothers hand and
turned aside to window.
This is what Mrs. Hilyard read:
DEAR MADAM: l saw your son a few
DAYS since, when, to my surprise, he ex-
pressed himself reluctant to apply his
money to the redeeming of the mortgage,
saying that he required it for specula-
ton which promises to be more prOfita-
BILE to him than the holding of the farm.
have therefore been compelled to dis
pose of the mortgage to gentleman OF
my acquaintance, who proposes to take
immediate possession, and consider it
nv duty to inform you thereof, in order
that you may lose no time in making ar
rangements for removal.
Very Respectfully,
ABNER HARRIS.
Mrs. Hilyard returned the letter to its
envelope with a trembling hand and a
dazed, bewildered look, as though una
BILE to realize the blow which had so sud-
denly fallen upon them.
Her eyes met Marian's, and the girl
threw herself upon her knees by her
mothers side, and burst into a passion
of tears.
"Oh, mother, mOtherl what shall we
do? What will become of usY
"'The Lord will provide" said Mrs.
HiIyard, raising her OyerfiOwing eyes to
the motto on the wall, embroidered by
Marian's own hand. "Where is your
faith, my child, that it should fail you in
this the very hour of need?"
Mother, it is not so much the loss Of
our home, nor the poverty and trial in
store which grieyes me, but that Jack
your own son, my own brother-shOuld
have so changed. Oh, mother, l know
that our Father in Heaven will not de-
sert us, but to whom on earth can we
turn when even'Jack can become world
ly and heartleSsr"
At this moment little blue-eyed girl
burst into the room with:
Humanitarian here is Miss 'Melia
Anderson at the gate, in her buggy. She
says will you step out minute, for she
wants to tell you about old Mr.. Willard
being sunstruck, and she daren't leave
her horse without somebody to hold him.
Marian was in no condition to listen
to Miss 'Melia-the greatest gossip in
the neighbOrhOOd; so Mrs, Hilyard, dry
ing her eyes, was in civility compelled
to see the informal visitor. Marian, her
head resting upon the window sill be-
hind the screen of clinging roses, could
have heard every word spoken; but, alb
sOrbed in her grief, she paid no atten-
ton until the name of Wat Hinton
struck upon her ear.
Its true, for certain, for Maria had it
from his own sister, Aggie Hinton. Says
Maria, in her wild way, If he comes
back with all that mOney'-yOu know
his Uncle Samuel left him most of his
property last year-says Maria, If he
comes back rich | mean to set my cap
for him. On which Aggie answers, oh,
you needn't; for he is to be married be-
fore long, and to real nice, pretty girl.
OF course Maria wanted to know all
about it; but Aggie only laughed in her
mysterious way, until Maria says, I be-
lieve you are jOkingp when Aggie re-
plies, If Walter isn't married before
winter I'll make you present of my
new earrings which he has sent me.
So you see it's a certain sure; and no
doubt he'll bring his bride to visit his
family, and then, tell Marian, we may
look out for grand party. When the
HintOns undertake to do things they al
ways do them handsomely"
Marian stayed to hear no more. Gid
ing out of a side door, she crossed the
garden, passing little Myria, who was
fOndling a snOw-white calf, her great
pet and treasure, and who called out to
her to "see how fast SNOWFALL was
growing.
Poor little sister! 1t would be as hard
upon her as upon her mother and herself
to leave the dear old home, with all the
scenes and objects endeared to them by
the association of their lives. For in
that ample, pleasant, Old-fashiOned farm
house Mrs. Hilyard had been born and
married, and here her children also had
first seen the light.
Two years ago her husband, who had
been too little practical to make farm
er, had died suddenly, leaving his affairs
in very embarrassed state, and the farm
burdened with very heavy mortgage,
Then Jack, good son and brother that he
was, had thought it best to go to the city,
taking advantage of a situation offered
him by distant relative, until the mort
gage should be paid.
Only two weeks ago he had written
cheerfully. saying that the matter would
be speedily settled to their satisfaction;
and now, just as they were expecting to
hear that their home was their own
again, came this cruel letter.
As Marian had said to her mother, not
even the loss of their home went to her
heart with so sharp a pang as did this
evidence of the change in her only
brother.
That Jack should have grown so
worldly and heartleSS as to consider his
pecuniary advantage before the gratifi-
cation of his mothers comfort; that he
should allow them to be actually turned
out of the dear old house, and go to re-
side in the strange city, where they could
never feel at hOme-Oh, this was the bit
terest pang of all!
So Marian had thought'upOn first read
ing that letter; and, it was not until
hearing Miss 'Melia's words to her moth
er that she awOke to the consciousness
that fate could have even greater sOr-
row than this in store for her.
One year ago she had parted from her
accepted lover, Wat Hinton, in mutual
anger on both sides. Wat had become
jealous, and had spoken sharply to her,
and in manner which she considered
herself justified in resenting.
Wat was too proud to apologize, and
Marian too proud as we'll as to delicate
to make advances looking to reconcile
alton, and SO they had drifted apart.
both miserable, until Wat had broken