The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-04-02
HE LOVED HER MADLY.

HE LOVED HER MADLY.
Loud and clear rang out the tones of the IRON
tongued bell which hung high up in the spire-
crowned belfry OF the stately cotton factory, in
the enterprisng manufacturing village of Will
lowdale, and almost at the same moment there
was a perceptible decrease III the revolutions of
the great water wheel which drove the machin-
cry within, and ere the last tones Of the bell
had ceased TO reverberate the busy hum of the
spindle and the clatter of the loom was still.
Gladly was this hour welcomed by the tired
operatives. whose daily vocation was to tend
the different pieces of machinery that consti-
tuted Wlllowda(e cotton factory. For the bell,
whose coar tones had just pealed forth, called
them from labor 70 reireshment, and eagerly
did they hurry from the gloomy building to
their respective homes to partake of their noon
day meal.
And now all was still within the building.
and but one person was visible. AT one of the
front windows at the entrance OF the weave
room, stood maiden of the brunette type
upon whose dark, glossy hair the of six
teen summers had shown, and over whose
young and happy fe 10 sorrow had cast its
whitening blight.
Sometimes she would turn from the window
and glance out of the open door, as If expecting
someone whom she dreaded, and again would
she return to her place at the window and look
with anxious expression, out upon the street.
At length she turned from the window with
weary sigh, and, drawing note from the
pocket of her dainty white apron. she seemed
completely absorbed inits contents. They GER
tainly pleased or at least interested her, for
she did not hear the sound of footsteps on the
gravel walk without, aud WAS not aware of the
presence of another until gay voice hailed
her from the doorway: Waiting for me, are
YOU, little one? know am late to-day but il
WAS not my fault; important business pre-
vented my coming sooner" And the Young
man, whose dress bespoke one who, If he
labored at all, did not bear the badge of his vo-
cation upon his apparel, advanced to the girls
side and took the little hand extended TO him.
bstween both his own.
And this proud, fastidious youth loved this
little factory glrl-loved her as he had never
thought it possible for him to love any woman.
Aud it made him shudder sometimes when he
thought of the possibility OF his falling to win
an wear this delicate little flower, which alone
could shed a fragrance over his life Some
times he would wonder to.himself wherein the
attraction lay that drew him 80 forcibly toward
Nellie Norwood She was not what the world
ould call handsome, neither was she unusu-
ally brilliant or witty, but there was an in
describabe something about her that he failed
10 find in any ether woman. Six months pre-
yiOus 70 the opening of our story he had told
Nellie OF his love, and asked her to become his
wife, aud, while she did not deny loving him,
she would give HIM no promise unless he could
gan her parents consent. This Basil Duke
knew he could never gain, for few months
pi evlous TO that time he had unintentonaily
NiCurred her fathers comfy by some trivial
rIfeuse, and Warren Norwood was not of for
giving disposition. AS soon as he learned of
Neios intimacy with Basil he had forbidden
ner speaking TO him under penalty of his Sc
Vsrest dis pleasure. Aud this was WHY tho
lovers were forced 20 meet at the factory at
noon, as 1t was tAe only opportunity they had
of seeing each other.
Nellie" said Basil, still holding her hand
q gaz ng with unspeakab.e admiration into
the liquid depths of her dark, lustrous ewes.
"hJw much longer must this last? If you ever
intend 10 marry me, why will you not give me
some promise on which | may relvy The
uncertainty OF the last few months is madden
lng.
At is cruel of you, Basil, the girl answered.
looking up, "to insist my giving you an an.
,wer now. How can L. You say Yourself that
you are satisfied my father will never consent
Ia our union, and i cannot 90 directly against
lis wI-hes i'll this matter-at least not vet You
know love you, Basil; why will you not wait
patiently! We are both young, and lite is all
before W., and have heard you say time orks
wondrous changes.
deed marvellous; but, while am waiting and
hoping, another may win your affection from
me. Nellie, II 10 hard to think of you as the
bride of another"
Then you doubt my love for you, Basil
You have no cause to doubt me thus The fact
that l meet you here, when it is positively
against my father orders for me to speak to
you, should be sufficient proof of my love"
And, as Basil Duke looked down upon the
sweet face turned 30 peadingly toward him.
aud saw that the sparkling eyes were dimmed
by tears, he felt how deeply he had wronged
ths girl In even for moment doubling her
love for him.
Forgive me, Nellie" he said, 81 know Won
love me, and am utterly unworthy the love of
one 30 good and beautiful as yourself; but this
Ia
BE patient yet a little while, Basil try to
think 1t Is ali or the best, and my father NAV
yet relent"
Does ne ever mention my name now?"
NO, he has not spoken of you in several
month";.
Not since he was 80 COMPLIMENTARY "a tn
call me q swell headed puppy"
Forgive my father for That, Basil he was
angry them
Il can forgive anything for your sake, Mel
lie; but l would infinitely prefer tnat your
venerable father would DC little more partio-
ular in the choice of his language when speak
ing OF me-"
At that moment the loud tones of the bell
were again heard, warning the operatives that
the short time allowed them for refreshments
had expired, and calling them back to labor
again.
~You must go now, Basil | would not have
my father know you have been here"
'~Good-by, Nellie, until / see you again. :"
And, with lingering pressure of her hand, he
left the factory.
Crossing the street, he wendell his way toward
the more business portion of the village.
He had hardly proceeded half block when
no heard his name called in a Gear, piping
voice, and, turning round, saw a lad approach
ing him in evident haste.
Well, what is it, Billy" he asked, recogiiz-
ing IN the boy one of the operatives in the
factory.
Your father wants you at the Office, sir
He says, come Immediately"
All, he did-that's deuced queer, sollo-