The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-04-30

within its simple, tasteful furniture, and
commence her modest round OF domestic
duties with a meek and holy content,
as if she felt overshadowed by the white
wings of household angels Darker
grew the cloud upon the young wife's
brow. and soft cooling from the baby's
little nest was answered by an impatient
rocking that stilled the tender sound,
and Helen returned in bitterness to her
self-torture. BY degrees it appeared to
her as if the freight faded away, and
she saw around her faint, azure gleam-
ing. like winter moonlight rejecting
back from an icy stream. The atmos-
phere grew chill, rs if frosted wind
penetrated it, and voice, sounding
far away, as if divided from her by IL
Irritable space, yet clear and vibrating
as the tones of the crystal harmonica,
struck upon her ear.
"Helen |" it said, CT am the spirit
of thy future life Behold its talisman-
an unfading rose Pluck the leaf from
it's heart with every wish that wakens
in thine own for change; thy wish shall
be granted, but the thorns OF the rose
shall be gathered with its leaves-a grief
for every JOY. To thee alone can 1T be
visible, and to no human ear canst thou
disclose the secret of its possessions.
The voice ceased, the fire leaped up
with a sudden flash, and danced with
ruddy luster as before but Helen saw
plainly on the little table beside her-a
white rose
An innocent-looking flower in itself,
but invested with associations that made
it terrible, she gazed upon it with a
shuddering fear, and an irresistible I'M
pulse urged her to take it up. 1t was
fresh and fair, but on its heart-leaves
there hung glittering drops like frozen
tears.
cit is impossible" said Helen, that
any magic power can be hidden in these
simple leaves, or that riches could be
mine by severing a single petal"
As she spoke, her fingers touched the
snowy tissue of the flower, and leaf
was instantly detached, seeming to van
ish as it fioated toward her feet. With
real alarm she cast aside the rose 1t fell
within the baby's cot, but at the same
moment her husbands knock was heard
it was loud, hurried and impatient
and Helen rushed eagerly to the parlor
door, wondering what made Charles III
such hurry. He entered with BEAM
ing look and rapid steps; in his hand he
held several papers, and long red mo-
rocco case.
"Light the lamp" he said, "dear
Helen, and prepare for wonders. We
are rich, Helen; richer than the wealthy
merchant at whose desk L have toiled
without being honored by n look To
night he shook my hand and solicited
my friendship. That is the worlds way,
Helen. A distant relative has died in
nous wealth. have just left the law
yers office, and l bring with me few
diamonds only--a small portion OF the
jewels which, they say, are in their pos
session but / could not resist the wish
to brighten the eyes of my little wife
with some of her new treasures. shall
certainly assume my deceased relatives
name out of compliment to his magnifi-
cent memory. Mrs. Aubrey Howard,
let me try on this necklace -
And the joyful husband placed around
her fair neck the glittering brilliants,
imprinting on her rosy lips kiss OF
true conjugal tenderness. A low moan
from the infants cot startled them.
Helen drew the curtain hastily aside,
and saw her blooming cherub changed
darkly, and struggling with commissions.
With IA shrek she raised it to her boz
som Alas, in vain ! 1t was the thorn
of the rose Riches and splendor had
obeyed her wish, but the nesting dove
had persisted on the golden altar
A