The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-05-07

pays Dut PssSh u SuuuAA tIuuh Will pAfhAii
garments and black dress as hurriedly
as you can"
eyes, Miss Mabel"
Mabel Hinton was very calm and self
possessed, ate hearty dinner, gave di-
rections for weeks absence, and was at
the depot waiting by o'clock in the af-
ternoon. A crushed heart, broken in
twain, years of loneliness, with no glad
hope to crown the years with love and
happiness. He was married, and last
summer told her a prevarication. All
grew more defined and sad as she, seat
ed alone, reviewed their love for each
other. When she left the cars close
carriage was in waiting, and lonely,
desOlate ride through thick forests in
the early morning to large, rambling
brick building, ivy-grown, was the end
of her journey. The gates were looked,
and the shrill shrieks of the mad in
mates made each hair almost rise on
end, and Mabel Hinton shrank from the
awful ordeal that was before her-"Too
late, miss, he's dead !"
"Dead-dead, did you say?"
"Yes, and when 1 sent for you he was
conscious and sane, and made me write
a letter for you; it was terrible death
bed scene"
"Where is he, poor, poor soul ?"
Buried, mann. Yes-know it is the
law, unless the friends request the body.
We put it away amongus You left more
than enough money to do all we did for
him." handing Mabel the letter.
Conduct mo tn his Oraya ~
Il will, but must tell the carriage to
wait, because you look too weak to
spend night here"
"a new-made grave, where the sough-
ings of the wind through the trees
chanted solemn requiem, held the Sc
cret barrier that had robbed Mabel
Thornton of happy life. And the tear
less eyes and feverish face gaze wildly
and, turning her eyes .leavenward,
thanks God that he was where he would
suffer no more. A husband only in
name, yet husband" She placed the
letter in her pocket, and, thanking the
janitress, left the lonely spot almost a
fit subject to dwell there within those
narrow brick walls. Her drive back over
the lonely road was joyless one, but
she instinctively entered the cars-then
ali was a blank.
The huttering lace curtains awoke the
beautiful woman, and, attempting to
rise, fell back with cry of pain.
I" Darling, rest quiet you are with
me-"
"Auntie, am well, but oh so weak
what is the matter?"
"You have been almost mt death S
door, Mabel, but are all right. You
must not talk"
81 know he is dead, for saw his
grave. Auntie, / must die, too"
"Not while 1 love you so" said a
deep, rich voice; and Capt. Thornton
bent and kissed her face.
You here Are you and Susie liv-
ing here?"
"My Cousin Harold and Susie were
married last winter, and l, darling, was
only biding my time"
1T has come, Frank, for am free to
love you now"
He bent again. Her face was covered
with kisses. 81 was going to see you
at Susie's request, when l was carried
by my stopping-place from carelessness;
and, as you entered the car door you
fell almost Ill my arms. / took this
letter which your aunt and / perused
together, and have found out a great
deal since from the matron of the asy-
lum, for l have been to see her; and,
from your raving while i'll, know all. ;"
"You must not talk so much, Mabel, Z"
said her aunt.
Did you find out my poor father
thought he had wronged the boy? He,
by his falsehOods, made my father
force me to marry him; led him into n
lawsuit; told him he would dishonor his
name; and 1 secretly obeyed his dying
request; married the boy, who shortly
after went crazy from his wrong deeds
to poor, honest man like my father.
L worked for him while L was SO poor,
and kept him III the best asylum could;
and, when l was made rich, gave him all
the comforts in my power And now L
am doubly blessed. You, Frank, still
love me, and God has tortured me seven
times seventy, and purified and refined
me for a noble husband !" And, with
hands clasped, life's shadows fitted away
to rest on some other not so fortunate.
"Your life has been perfect sacrifice
to him.
81 never loved him, but did what 1
thought my duty"
Z" And Heaven will bless you, Mabel,
for it, said her aunt, with tears coming
rapidly down her cheeks.
After my fathers death, L found out
my husband, had acted with deception,
but it was 500 late, ailntie, for onr mar
riage had been celebrated"
"To save my husbands brother from
dishonor you have spent the best years
of your life in sorrow"
While her latter years will he my
sacred interest, and a double portion of
love from me will be given'my wife-nee
Miss Hinton" said Capt. Thornton,
with glad smiles chasing each other over
his face.
Now, Frank, my inevitable barrier
is removed, and my secret you COM
planned of told"-she caught her breath
strangely, like sob and forced laugh.
"And proud am, Mabel, of a wife
who has an over-abundance of pride for
family, and honor"
For years, Frank, L have murmured
against my implacable fate, but how
wisely all was ordained; for silent love