The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-02-06

and every one. Among the occasional J
welcome visitors to this hospitable home
was a young fellow named Ferguson,
who at first invariably came with his
particular friend, George Mitchell, Mrs.
Mitchell's son. After while, however,
he took to visiting more frequently, and
for some months every other Saturday
saw Ferguson at the Thorpe farm, where
he stad until Monday.
viii Ferguson was confidential clerk
at an extensive engineering establish
ment at Milton, some fifteen miles, over
the wolds, from Beacondale. His posi-
ton was good one, and, although
barely %, aud scarce two years con-
nected with the firm, his employers I'M
plicitly trusted him with their financial
affairs and the management Of their
business. There was nothing particu-
larly attractive about Ferguson. Tall
and manufactured rather ugly than
handsome-a pleasant comparison, gen
orally kind and Thoughtful to all whom
he knew, attentive to business, he was
perhaps as well liked as any other young
fellow In Milton.
Will Ferguson had often visited
Thorpe farm, because his chosen friends
were relatives of old John Fielding, and
he, therefore. accompanied them fre-
auently; besides, he liked the drive
and was fond of the Thorpe folk, and
he also liked on Sundays to attend
service at Beacondale church.
One bright Sunday morning in Octo-
Der, Ferguson and George Mitchell
drove over to Thorpe for the sake OF
the ride over the wolds and quiet day
at the old farmhouse. l
Evening came and, as usual, they
walked down the lovely lane which led
to the village and church. This was
not their first visit to Beacondale church
by any means, so that they walked in
and took an accustomed seat. The SER
vice had commenced, and the young
men were hastily finding the place In
the prayer-book when they became
aware of strangers occupying the seat
Immediately in front of them. They
were bonnie strangers, too--three pref
ty girls, and evidently not natives Of
Beacondale. One of them, the pretti.
est, handed prayer-book to the late
arrivals, and from that moment Will
Ferguson was gone man. His heart
was no longer his own. He felt that he
had met his fate, and all through that
service he was trying to devise some
plan whereby he could become acquaint-
ed with this girl who had SO completely
captivated him at one glance, and little
attention did he pay to what the clergy
man said that evening. After service
he returned the book, which gave him
an opportunity of saying one word, and
hearing that same word" Thank you
from those pretty lips.
That evening, on theiI way home, the
two friends called on an acquaintance
and, while seated there. putting cigars
they heard soon the sound of merry
girlish voices, and into the room walked
the three fair strangers of the village
l church. They appeared perfectly at
home here, and the mistress of the
house introduced them as Miss Hand.
ford, Miss Annie landlord and Miss
Maggie landlord. Miss landlord and
/. Miss Maggie might just as well have
!, been still ct church for all Will Fergu.
son saw of them. He WIS too much
occupied in gazing on Annie-the one
the one with whom he fell over head
and ears in love at first sight.
l am not going to describe Annie
landlord; l might differ in my opinion
from Wills and hurt his feelings, and
, could never get him to say what she was
! like, as he used to declare that ne
, couldn't do her justice. will say that
she was not one of your awfully pretty
girls; she was pretty, but think it was
: her general behavior and movements
! and er conversation which were more
, calculated TO win a mans love.
Many Sundays passed on, bat each
; one found Ferguson over at the Thorpe
; farm and always to church, the even.
ing. Sunday was the bright star which
he kept his eye upon all the week be.
fore, and he generally contrived to- see
Annie for few moments at their mu.
tual friends on their way home.
, 1t appeared that these young ladies
and their mother were spending few
months at this charming village, in q
house rented for the purpose by their
, father, a man of business III the West
Riding; and, as the winter drew on
they began. to think of returning to
their home in the busy town. Will, to
! all appearance, was no nearer gaming
! the affections of Annie than before he
! saw her, and yet he felt it was step
and, indeed, stride, al the right direc.
; ton to have her acquaintance. 1t sc
! happened that on the day the Hand.
4 fords went home Ferguson started on O
| business journey, and contrived tc
. travel by the same train as his lady
friends. He met their train (of course
4 by accidenD at st. Olaves Junction
! and there enjoyed the Unreasonable
= delight of n two-hours' ride in rail
! road car along with the girl he was
!, anxious to win. What matter if hel
: father aud mother were in the same
compartment? 1t was enough to 81,
beside her and talk idle nothings anC
: commonplace bits of stale news, anC
. then it paved the way to something
, holder. When they parted he took hel
glove, and, as the train moved on, bear
, ing her to her home. he dared to throw
= a kiss while her parents were not 'ook
ing, and, as she nodded and smiled, ht
. knew for the first time that at least h,
Iod made a fair hepinninp