The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-02-13

the point Of woodland shat overlooked
tiny like that LAY Ike . spafkipg gem
upon the bosom OF mother earth. Seat
ing herself upon the broad roots OF an
old tree, she gave herself up to her own
wandering thoughts.
There was something peculiarly sooth-
ing in the ssft breeze as it came
across the cool waters of the little lake.
and in the gentle murmuring of the
wavelets as they came dashing in regu-
lar intervals against the shore, while
the birds overhead twittered about their
nests, intent upon their work. How
she longed for some of the pleasures of
other days. And the last few days had
shown her how utterly alone she was.
How little the society of crowded halls
added TO her real happiness. Yet she
was thankful to be appreciated in a
land of strangers.
Good morning, Mrs. Brown. Ibid
not hear the futter OF your wings, but
most assuredly l was thinking of you,
long before / caught GLIMPSE of your
charming self" And with an "If you'll
allow me-" Mr.. Raymond seated him.
self on the old messy root by her side.
Il did not know you were given to
iattery, Mr.. Raymond"
Nor am l, Mrs. Brown, and so to
come at once to my subject 1 will own
/ have sought your presence to make
confession. Possibly you may think
me somewhat hasty, and lest you should
misjudge me l will inform you that
must leave town tonight or to- morrow
morning early; and this is probably my
last chance OF enjoying the society of
Mrs. Brown. Under all these consid.
erations trust you will be offended
when 1 tell you. that L have become
strongly attached to you. / love you
deeply and truly, as man can love but
once in lifetime. Can you not return
this affection and become my wife?"
"Oh, MIR. Raymond 1 am SO sorry
to have you tell me of love that can
not be returned. Surely would have
spared you this had 1 thought of any
thing so serious" said Mrs. Brown, with
paling cheek and fearful eye.
Must understand by what You say
that you cannot love me-that you will !
not be my wife?"
Indeed, You must. For, although I |
was an unloved bride, loved my hus-
band too intensely TO ever love an
other"
Somewhere 1 have read that zone |
who seeks for happiness in the affections
of true, fond heart would find it,
But 1t does not prove true in my case |
unless by some means more potent [ |
can win your love. Will you not give me
at least the hope of winning your affec-
tions i'll the not-far-otf future?"
"Oh, MOI cannot-I might pity
you, and do sympathize with you. But
pity is not love, as learned to my grief
long. long ago. and sobs choked the
utterance OF the grief-stricken woman,
as she buried her face in her hands.
ooh, Graciel How could you ever
think I did not love you?" and a strong
right arm was thrown about the weep
ing form.
Instantly her face was raised. That
voice; what did it mean? And there lay
the silvery hair and wbiskers belonging
to Mr.. Raymond at her feet. But
her eyes beheld the dark locks and
beaming eyes of one who was dearer
than life itself
"My loved one" were all the words
she uttered, but her arms were wound
about MS neck as convulsively as a
drowning man catches at whatever may
keep him afoat.
After she became little more calm,
Mr.. Raymond, or rather Mr.. Bronson
(for it was he), said with merry twinkle
in his eyes, "Mrs. Brown, will you be
my wife? L love you as but few men
love, and l have tried hard to win your
heart and hand. Or" and now there
was sudden quaver in his voice and
downcast look in his eyes, as he contin-
ued, sis Mr.. Brown something more
than a myth, and am still to go mourn
ing for my lost lover"
"Mr. Brown is a myth, of course, and
If you really desire my presence I'll be
your own Grace forever and ever"
Mrs. Downing was greatly surprised
when her favorite boarder was intro
auced as the wife of Mr.. Raymond, to
avoid the publicity of the gossips. OF
course certain portions of their story
had to be told, and remarked upon.
Miss Pike thought it very romantic, and
lutte as good as a novel. But she was
quite sure she would not have left a
if she had obtained one by O