Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1879-08-30

took his leave. Walking home slowly
through the moonlight, with his mind
filled with its late sweet vision, he came
to conclusions very different from those
of the deacOn's wife, thinking of the
world of talent and sweetness living dor
ment, waiting for the touch of an awak-
ening hand, and very willing to under
take the sweet task.
And then it was that, walking i'm one
morning, ION business, of cOurse.) and
finding FlOy idly coming an old rO-
nance for want of some better employ
ment, he opened to her eyes a living
page in sad history that he had lust
discovered. 1t was the old story of a
self-willed marriage, and consequent de-
sertiOn, poverty, and distress.
would Miss Willard have the kind
ness to visit her? She might do much
by few kind words. The woman was
delicate and refined, and sympathy
would not be thrown away Flows
eager eyes attested her interest, and that
very day the call was made. She came
back eloquent with pity, and desiring to
give some substantial token of it, one of
her first acts was shy request to her
mother to teach her how to make 'sOme-.
thing nice," wherewith to tempt the in
valid's appetite.
And SO, ere many weeks, there were
no more days lOunged away in the libra
ry, or spent in idly dreaming i'm the bow
window armchair. The quick fingers
became skilled in needle-craft, and many
cOttager blessed them as they bestowed
the gifts of their own shaping, and call
ing down benedictiOns upon the sweet
face that brought joy and sunshine with
it. s@ - -
1t happened that many times they met
at the bedside of the sick and dying, the
earnest minister and this fair young girl:
and daily did he note her growth i'm
sweetness, and deep underlying rever-
ence; lost in wonder sometimes at her
utter unselfishness. And she, ENJOYING
to the full her new cOmpaniOnship, Eand
mentally placing him in just that niche
of her heart which she was wont to fill
with an imaginary brother, was totally
unconscious of the gOssiping tongues
that commented eagerly upon every
movement.
Pacing home slowly through the wood
path one bright autumn afternoon, he
| caught the sound of singers voice car
cling softly verse from a quaint old
ballad that he remembered to have heard
before. He quickened his step, and
soon, ahead of him, he saw the soft
simmer of gray silken skirt trailing
over the glowing moss. The wearer
turned as he came up. "Ah! Miss
FlOy," he said, 81 heard your lifting and
fastened on. You see l remember your
songs"
She smiled, and the color ON her cheek
deepened little at its tone; but, with
out answering, she walked on demurely
! by his side, plucking at the leaves of a
wild daisy she held in her hand. He
watched her; moment. Let me see,'
said he, what is the charm? YOu name
the alternate leaves, do you not? Let
me try the charm for y0u.' And he
took one from the bunch, and pulling
away the petals, he grayely announced
! that the lover for whom it was named
was true.
"Why don't you ask who it is?" he
said half laughingly, but with strange
light in his eyes. SWELL, them more
grave, 'since you won't ask, [ shall have
10 tell you. FlOy, dear FlOy, it is my-
seGp'
She never once lifted her eyelids, but
walked slowly along, tWirling the mutt
lated flower her in fingers, until they
came to the edge of the wood. Then he
paused, and laying his hand heavily on
the gate that barred the path, he said:
"FlOy, have a question for you now
| that must be answered; will you be my
wife,"
She paused, and laying her hand upon
his arm, turned him round, till the faint
light of the moon shOne full in his face
Are you in earnest, Maxwell Grey?'
she asked. For an answer he stopped
down and kissed her forehead reverent
ly.
"NOw I believe you" said she simply
But" after pause, and calling him
slyly by his first name, Maxwell, 1 an
not half good enough for a minister
: wife,"
At that he began to declare, as lover:
always do, how infinitely above him SHIT
was in every thing true and noble; how
he dare not claim her, believing that h,
was in any way worthy of so great {
blessing, ETC., until her foolish littl,
, tongue was quite silenced. When the.
reached her own gate, he paused again
''And now, FlOy," he said, II have some
thing of yours in my possession which
i have had ever since the very first time
! began to love you" And he drew fort
from his pocket ring, and held it to
/. ward her.
80, my lost ringw she exclaimed
"Where did you find it?"
!. "Where?" said he, laughing, gin a no
? roll, Floyp' And then followed recita
E somewhat abridged, of much that hay
) told you.
t And so, ere long, there took place
Y grand wedding in the little villag
: church. The new 'ruches and bonnet
a strings were all there, and the black sill
basquine rustled degantly as the weare
e peeped at the face half hidden beneat
" the shimmering bridal vail: face whic
e was certainly no other than FlOy Wi
y lard's.
l. And they do say, in spite of Mr.
} Thompson's dire predictions, that ther
d is not a better "hOusekeeper, in tn
e whole village than the minister's wifi
/