The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-06-13

transport of Joy.
The days now went by on golden
wings, and was the happiest of the
happy. Mr.. Fitz Alien was with me
constantly, and at the end of three
weeks proposed for my hand, and laid
his wealth and heart (figuratively) at my
feet.
My aunt gave her consent after re-
questing my Horatio to give her proper
credentials of his responsibility and
honor. This he promised to do as
soon as he should return to his home,
which must be almost Immediately,
owing to the press of business.
wrote at once to my mother and
Jane, telling them in rapturous Ian
guage of my conquest, and des-
cribing my lover. compared him
with Joshua Hobbs. and said l was
happy that / had not been sacrificed to
the latter and farmhouse home.
How happy 1 was! 1 wanted every
one to see my lover, and so l was de-
lighted when in March my Cousin Paul
came home on furlough of two weeks.
It was unexpected, and great Joy to
both my aunt and myself.
"How fortunate that you came to-
day." / said to him; "for Mr. Fitz Allen
leaves Barstowe tomorrow for several
weeks. I am SO anxious that you should
see him."
II am glad you have done so well,
little cousin" said Paul. Il am very
DESTROYS of making the acquaintance
of this hero of yours, this paragon of
excellence"
"He will be here to night" said.
Horatio came about 8 o'clock, and
we were conversing in the parlor after
the manner of turtle doves, when l
heard my aunt and Paul coming.
My lover rose to his feet as they
came in, and so did 1.
"My Cousin Paul, Mr.. Fitz Allen" I
said, blushing deeply. 1 heard no well
come, no salutation of any sort, and
looked up in surprise. My cousin was
looking straight at my lover, both ivid
with some emotion.
"So!" ut last gasped my cousin /;
"this is the man who has dared to WOO
my Cousin Leah! This blackleg, this
swindler, this rascal Joe Harris. alias
Luke Hartwell, alias Horatio Fitz Allen.
Hound low, sneaking scoundrel, out of
this housed" Numbered my cousin.
90, Paul! PAUL." 1 sobbed; "there
must be some mistake"
ASK if there is mistake. Turn to
him, Leah" replied Paul.
Oh, where was the man had deified :?
Crouchlng against the wall like a
whipped cur, white as ashes, and shak-
ing with fear!
1 approached him, but he waved me
back.
Let me Co." he said. "You will not
tell of this, for it would shame her.
The game is up, and I have lost her
| fortune"
my fortune!" I repeated. Il have
none"
Then was deceived" and he bowed
himself out
Who can estimate the extent of my
modification!
Cousin Paul had met Mr.. Fitz Allen Gas
! I will still call him. several times, and
knew him to be low villain, on the
lookout for money, no matter how it
was to be obtained. 1 was congratu-
lated on my escape, and felt thankful
for it, but it was bitter modification.
The days now crept by, and longed
for home. thought much of Joshua
Hobbs, of his true, manly heart and
tender love for me, and determined that
when went back to Pikeville 1 would
give my homely lover some encourage
ment, and reward him for his faithful
love by my hand.
May came at last, and was once
more in Pikeville. I had not written
of my coming, for l wanted to give
mother and Jane surprise. The very
first person l saw whom / knew was
Joshua, who was at the station in his
buggy talking to the ticket agent.
$50 you've come home, Leah" he
said, giving me pleasant smile. "Let
me drive you to the house in my
buggy
I consented very gladly, for we lived
in the suburbs, and it was long walk
from the station.
"Jane is not expecting you," he said,
as we drove along.
"How do you know" 1 asked; "do
you visit there nowp"
"Yes, very Often" he replied. "You
must know that 1 am fond of going
there, since Jane has consented to our
marriage taking place next week"
sat still, stunned by the news. So
Jane was to marry Joshua, and she had
not written me a line, telling me the
news.
IL was afraid she would not have me,
since I'd been your lover first, but she
said she didn't mind that. 1 am very
happy, Leah. I am sorry your marriage
was-was-"
Don't speak to me of it," / cried. II
cannot bear the mention of that man
or my folly"
When 1 asked Jane why she had not
written me of her engagement to
Joshua, she said she was afraid would
write something back about her being
second choice, so she thought she would
wait until 1 came home to tell me the
news.
They were married the next week,
and have been very happy together ever
since, while 1 am only an old maid, of
no use to any one except my small
nephews and nieces. have seen the
follv of irving nm the substance for the