The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-07-16

why should Il not III IL were not Tor
what the world would say L would not
hesitate ; but L know only too well what
the popular verdict is in such cases-l
have heard it too often"
"What is it you have heard too often,
Elmer?" asked how voice just behind
him, the tones of which were as soft and
sweet as those of an Eolian harp.
He started, and turned hastily toward
the fair girl who had just stepped from
the cottage door out upon the porch.
"Oh, it is you, ma belle Nina L had
fallen into train of thought. alone here
in this romantic twilight, and L suppose
L must have unconsciously been con-
versing with myself. Deuced poor COM
pany, though, L assure you. And be-
side, You have doubtless heard the old
proverb which says, He who talks to
himself talks with the devil. III such
be the case, his Satanic Majesty and my
self were in close communication a mo-
ment ago.
The cold, hard look had vanished from
his face and asreplaced by the reckless,
devil-me-care expression which he usual
ly wore:
"And what may have been the sub
ject of your meditations? Building airy
castles, / SUPPOSED"
"Pardon me, but you are wrong. My
castles were all completed and demol-
ished long ago. L was thinking of the
Uanitas Uanitatum of the world in gen
eral-my life III particular.
"And / suppose you prefer your own
cynical thoughts to my company? If
| So"
"And if so you will vanish like a
beautiful dream, / suppose" he said,
with that old air of gallantry which was
characteristic of him in years gone by.
eyes, of course I'll not stay where
my company is neither wanted nor APP
preciated." she replied, with pretty
little pout.
"But 1 do appreciate and want your
company, Nina - particularly mt the
present time for | am suffering from
one of those depressions of spirit COM
monty known rs the 'blues, and l
know of nothing that will SO soon dis
pei my present attack as an hour of your
company. The fact is, Nina, if there is
any good i'll me it always seems nearer
the surface when L am with You. Wicked
though | am, with nearly every sin in
the calendar on my soul, L always seem
better from having been with you. All,
Nina, If all women We're rs true to their
better natures as you are, there would
be fewer men with lives wrecked by
woman's inconsistency He will indeed
be a happy man who can some day win
your heart.
The gathering shades of night were
too deep for him to note the glad flush
that spread over her face at his words of
praise, and she only said III reply:
:" am glad you think well of me, FL
mer. But pardon me, if you think me
bold or presuming. Why is it that YOU,
with your advantages and talents, live
the life you do? And why is it that in
your conversation You always speak of
women with bitterness and distrust? Is
there not some woman i'll all this wide
world to make you happy, some one for
whose sake you would give up your evil
ways, turn from the paths of sin, and
lead purer life? Is there not one,
Elmer?"
He was too deeply absorbed with his
own bitter thoughts to notice with what
eagerness she asked the question. 1t
was several moments before he spoke,
and when he did the words came slowly
and mechanically, as though they were
forced from him against his will.
Nina, years ago | loved-loved, did
/ say ?-I worshiped woman fair as a
poets dream, and believed her as truth
full, in word and deed, as the white
robed angels that cluster around the
glittering throne above. Every encour-
agement that woman could possibly give
to man she gave to me, and for time
/ was in blissful dream-a fools para
disc. But, Nina, God does not allow His
creatures to make Him subordinate III
their worship, and my love for Shelah
Fortescue was greater than my love or
fear of God. At length / told her of my
devotion, and asked her to be my wife.
Nina, that woman whom L loved more
than life, reputation, or honor laughed
at my passionate pleadings, and forbid
me speaking to her again. From that
hour have been a changed man. My
life has been passed in one mad whirl of
excitement, i'll the attempt to drown the
memory of that girl
Nina had been standing near him and
looking directly i'll his face. As he
ceased speaking she advanced a step to-
ward him, and asked:
"And you have succeeded in forget
ting her, Elmer?'
mo; think L now fully understand
what Tennyson meant when he wrote
those lines in 'Locksley Hail.
" Knowledge comes but wisdom lingers and linger
on the shore,
And the individual wihers, and the world is more
ard more;
knowledge comes but wisdom fingers, and he bears
laden breast,
Full of sad experience, moving toward the stiffness
of his rest.
81 do not love her as L once did, but
forget her / never can"
but, Elmer, why will you not marry
some woman who can by her loving
kindness help you to forget her ?"
He pointed fan off in the western sky
where one star alone sent out its rays |
DER the earth, and said in low voice :
Nina, do you see yonder star? 1t
is bright and beautiful far brighter
than any of the smaller ones that will
soon spangle the azure vault aboye-but
1t is alone. When the others come forth