The true northerner., 1880-02-20

displaying his terpsichorean accom-
plishments, and Anna was standing
alone, intently watching the many
forms as they gayly moved to and fro
in the merry dance. l knew that the
sounds of the music and dancing would
drown our voices and prevent our
conversation from being heard. AS l
quietly approached her, l laid my
hand upon her shoulder and said:
"Anna, why did you introduce that
awkward boy to Carl and II"
Who-Tom?"
Ct don't know what his name is, but
you know who have reference to-"
"Oh, yes; Tom Jones. L was some
what surprised at you not being ac-
quainted with him. thought you had
met him before"
"Tom JONES' replied. 81 must
say that it is a very familiar name--too
commonplace to be otherwise-but l
never saw him nor heard of him un-
til he dropped down so suddenly
upon us that, had his appearance
been more prepossessing, might have
supposed he was fallen angel, and
hope I shall never see him after to-
day"
"rom JONES'" I repeated-"what a
common name; and he looks like sim.
pleton." She gave me kind reprov-
ing smile, as she laid her hand on mine
and said: Never Judge a person by
his dress, and ever remember that
there is nothing i'll a name; besides,
you are mistaken in the opinions you
have formed OF Mr.. Jones. Tom is not
such boy as you take him to be; he is
about 23 years old, he has very fair
business education, and is young man
of very good practical sense" Indeed"
L replied, "you seem to be well-informed
in regard to this gallant cavalier, of
piney.woods nobility" "Yes, L have
light to be; we were raised on adj
joining farms; L have gone to school
with him, and played with him many a
day; and l know that better
boy never lived than Tom has
ever proved himself to be-" "It is a
blessing that he has some redeeming
trait" replied. Il am glad to know
that he really possesses so much purity
of character, and deeply regret that his
cultivation has been so sadly neglected
otherwise he might have made very
brilliant star in society"
Just here the quadrille ended part
ners rushed for seats, and 1 heard no
more concerning Mr. Jones good quail
ties. Anna was by nature far better
than 1 was, or she would have been
highly incensed at the manner in which
1 expressed myself to her, if not at my
words.
1t was growing late in the afternoon
some were leaving, Others preparing to
do SO, when Carl came to bid me good
by. He declared that he had spent one
of the most delightful days that had
ever dawned upon his existence, and one
that would long be remembered; but
regretted that 1 had seemed to share
but small degree of the enjoyment
while the same rogUish twinkle danced
in his eyes. l begged him not to refer
to what had transpired in the morning,
for while it seemed to add greatly to
his diversion, it was certainly very an
noying to myself. But with ALL" /
said, in tone of candor, looking stead
fastly at him, anna Van Dorm is O no.
BILE woman, and, let the young man be
what he may, she has found some valua-
ole trait in his character, will assure
you, or she would never recognize him
as her friend. And you will oblige me
now by being very guarded in your re-
marks concerning her or her deeds. y
For moment he regarded me with a
look of displeasure, and his voice grew
tremulous as he said:
"Why, you astonish me; am per-
fectly fascinated with Miss Van Dorm
what could L say or even think of her
that would be wrong?"
Then, as suddenly as sunlight break
ing through cloud, his features wore
an animated expression as he exclaimed /:
"Oh! see excuse me-forgive rle
i know-it was down under the bluff
Pray don't get angry with me, but it
was yourself that was amused at. The
look of contempt that swept over your
face, the scornful curl that came to your
lip, the naughty toss of your head, and
that bow-why, it would have been
faultless bestowed upon an Emperor.
Ha! hal ha! 1t always did amuse me
to see lady vexed."
And the laugh that followed his ex-
planation-that loud burst Of merri-
ment that had been q burden to him all
day-now echoed, and resounded, until
the signing OF the pines, and the muir
muring OF the water seemed to catch
the lively strain, and nature joined the
happy chorus. l alone failed to appre-
ciate the joyful sound of that ringing
laugh. l was greatly relieved to know
that his opinion of Anna was not
lessened. But l felt more chagrined
than ever to think that / had acted SC
very silly, and made myself appear SC
ridiculous; while had committed the
objectionable act OF Judging innocent
Carl by the wicked impulses of my own
heart
AS we left for our respective homes
Anna and l bade each other an affec
tionate adieu, seemingly as good friends
as ever. But time wore on: days and
weeks glided by. Anna had never
called to see me after that eventful day
The time was drawing near for me to
return to my own home. had sent
her several verbal messages, inviting
her to come; and finally wrote her q
Il Il