The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-07-23

her face pale, and her eyes unusually
large and brilliant.
| drew her into the room, saying {:
"Your walk has been too much for you;
take this easy chair here by the fire."
"No. it is not the walk" she an
swered. smiling little at my anxiety.
ct is not the walk it is excitement.
Judge Parkhurst has been asking me to
marry hip-the gentleman you saw here
ON the first day of your arrival.
"Ohr / said, with long-drawn
breath of real pleasure, thinking some
happiness was to be granted Mirabel at
last. 81 hope you accepted him."
"No, not exactly he is to come for
an answer tomorrow.
The tea had been brought in and
cleared away, and still L was talking
about the Judge. l concluded by say
ing "He is strong, true-hearted,
honorable man, and you will say yes,
won't you, Mirabel?"
ct don't know, DEAR" she answered,
steadily but, bending down to kiss her,
L saw that the dark eyes were full of
tears. My proud, impressive cousin
weeping? That was almost beyond be-
lief She recovered herself without any
violent exhibition of emotion. The
flame shone on the gold setting of her
ring, and she began turning it with a
caressing movement.
L drew an ottoman close TO her feet,
and, laying my head in her lap, L said ::
"Dear Cousin Mirabel, please tell me
about your ring I'm sure it has a his
tory"
She put her hand upon my head. SIT
has, indeed, a history, and L will tell it
to you. / have been thinking all day of
Kenneth Deering, the man who gave me
this ring, and it will be a relief to talk
of him tonight. 1t may be wrong, but
l cannot help it indeed, L cannot.
There was short silence, rs if she
were striving to overcome some bitter or
painful emotion. She began her story
in low voice. and [ did not look into
her face.
Give years ago tonight | met Ken
meth Deering for the first time. l de-
sired n summer boarding place, and
Milly Bently wrote me we are back
again where we spent last summer. L
can recommend the place. Nice family,
splendid library, and pleasant sur
suited If you were to come.
81 was alone III the world one place
was as good as another to me, for | was
Indifferent to all. [ think it was the
mention of the library that decided me.
Milly was of the dark. slender, piquant
style of beauty, full of fire and vivacity.
We were too unlike to be perfectly con-
genial, yet we were friendly enough as
! the world goes. L remember the first
afternoon of my arrival. Milly met me
i'll the hall and introduced me to the
ladies of the household. The weather
was warm, and I desired to be
shown to my room to battle
my hands and face and change my trav-
cling dress That done, / determined
to see the library before L should be
summoned to tea. had seen the book
shelves on my way to my own apart
ment. | was surprised at the number
of books, and the fine taste displayed III
the collection. Surely some one here
must have most scholarly tastes, L
thought. 1t didnot seem to me it could
be the bustling housewife to whom |
had been introduced, nor did l believe
it to be the master of the house, Il de-
crepit old man who ..shuffied past me in
the hall. Having run my eye over the
various titles | selected a volume of
poems, and seated myself at an open
window, but soon forgot my book
i'll the beauty Of the landscape. The
soft summer twilight was gradually en-
veloping all objects. While absorbed
i'll a reverie the library door opened, a
gentleman advanced n few steps into the
room, but OH perceiving me would have
withdrawn. He bowed, saying, L beg
your pardon, intrude.
NO ! | exclaimed, it is / who am
the intruder pray remain : do not per-
NIT my presence to drive you away, or |
shall not forgive myself for coming.
"He thanked me, and, going to cab
met of minerals, began comparing them
with the one he held in his hand. The
room was already dusk, so he lighted
lamp. He invited me to look mt the
minerals, which did with interest, for
the collection was large and rare. Per
haps you can help me classify this odd
bit of rock, he said, suddenly. L shook
my head. 81 am 2 very poor geoloqist,
indeed" said. His face cloudcd lit
tie as he remarked, Il will have to see
more about it tomorrow. / must have
my supper now. | suppose you have
had tea some hours ago
emo / had not been been to tea.
GA servant, seeing alight in the library,
entered. Supper had long been over.
Apology was made, but l had not been
i'll my room when the servant went to
announce the meal. Kenneth Deering,
as the gentleman proved to be, cut short
his excuses by saying, Never mind,
Miss Madison, we will have our supper
together; please take my arm.
1--WE had very social time over our
tea. Our acquaintance progressed rap
idly. We made so many discoveries of
mutual likes and dislikes. We found
that we had so many tastes that were
congeniel we told each other so many
little incidents that were purely person
al, and the other listened with such in
terest that when we arose from the table
we seemed to have Known each other for
a long time, if, indeed, we had ever been
strangers. AT the parlor door he took
my hand. Il must say goodnight,