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

finished in few moments, and, having sealed
and directed 1t, he az Ain turned TO his brother:
Il say, Edwin, you need not let the Governor
or any one else know you carried this note for
me- You understand!'
sAll right" replied the boy, shut must be
going want to pay over this money and got
the debt OFF my mind" And no placed the
note IN his pocket aud hurredly left the room.
Basil was ABOUT to follow him out. but at the
door he met several of his friends, all good
fellows, and ripe for "good time"
Come with us, Basil" said ono of them;
we are TO have jolly time tonight, and need
just ono more to make our party complete"
Basil knew well what "having jolly time"
with these fellows meant, but it is easy to per-
suade al idle man To do anything, and when
they left + the saloon Bail accompanied them.
Luck is with me this time" muttered Ed
win Duke, as he walked rapidly down the
street after he had received the money from
Basil. Now l know the old man would give a
cool hundred for this note from isil to that
Nellie Norwood. II may not be very honorable
In me to turn this note over to the Governor,
but fellow must adapt himself to circum-
stances. have heard him mention the fact
that Basil was sweet on that Norwood girl. IL
he cares to have the note he will pay we'll for
it. don't suppose Basil cares much for the
girl, anyhow. Well, / guess I'll 20 around
and interview him on the subject"
IL was lndeed gay evening that Basil and
his companions passed. And it was not until
long after midnight did they separate; and,
when they did, all we've more or less under the
influence OF the wine they had been drinking
Basil awOke next morning with a racking head
ache; and, as he had nothing better to do, he
attempted to get rid of it by lying in bed; but,
as the day advanced he found that inste.d Of
! getting better, he was steadily growing worse.
and by noon it would have been impossible for
him to arise from his bed had he been 80 in
cined
In the evening doctor was summoned. He
had known Basil from his earliest toyhood.
and had often admonished him az to his diss-
pated course. After glancing ut his flushed
face and bloodshot eyes. he said, very gravely
"You live too fast, young man"
Il don't know about that" replied Basil.
"Time goes of devilish slow"
SWELL, 1t is useless for me to attempt to rea-
son with you. But will tell you again, what
have told you before, you are killing your
self by your present mode OF living as surely
as though you were taking slow poison.
Your constitution cannot possibly Withstand
the strain upon II much longer. Why will you
not stop while there is yet timer NY dear
boy, would MT be responsible for your life a
year longer If you keep mp your present
course As to your present indisposition, you
have every symptom of a fever, but / may
possibly pull you through it."
And with that the matter fact doctor
tons as 10 how the medicine was to be admin
istered he departed.
Then followed a week Of suffering to Basil
from slow fever. Near two weeks passed
before he was able to leave his room. The
| first day, when the hour of noon arrived
he hurried to the factory, anxious 10
see Nellie. When he reached the door he did
not find her at her accustomed place, but thi.
did not surprise him. as be had given her no
intimation of his visit Calling one of the
factory boys who Glanced to DO lettering near,
he tossed him a small coin and babe him tell
Miss Norwood that he would like to see her a
few moments, if convenient.
The boy hurried into the building but re-
| turned in a moment, saying:
"Mss Norwood begs that Mr.. Duko will ex-
cuse her."
A look of surprise and annoyance passed
over b asi's face a. he replied:
tell her that it is very necessary that
should see her to-day"
Again the boy came back with the answer:
"Miss Norwood says it is impossible for her
| to see you.
Half suppressing an oath, Basil turned from
the door and walked rapidly across the street
| to his fathers Office 1t was unoccupied now
save by the dignltied young man mentioned on
a former occasion. Seating himself at table,
Basil hurriedly penned note to Nellie, de-
manding an explanation Of her conduct in re-
fusipg to see him. He dispatched the note
and impatently awaited an answer. Fifteen
minutes passed, and the bearer returned and
handed Basil the same note he had sent, with
a puzzled expression on his countenance
"What the devil does this mean?" exclaimed
Basil, as he recognized the note
"She said as how was to bring ii back to
yor, sir, replied the boy.
"Did she say nothing else?"
"Nothing, sir"
That's = queer" muttered Basil, as he
left the Office.