The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-11-18

I must ask you to let me say good-by,
for have still more packing to attend
to-"
"Good-by," said he. Not another
word escaped him, but that piercing eve
was fixed upon me, seeming to ask, SIS
this all true?"
How 1 reached my house 1 cannot
tell. even now. Ny journey was accom-
plished, however, and on the evening of
the following day / threw myself into
Alice's arms and when shocked, | sup
pose, at the changed face that met hers.
she exclaimed "What is the matter,
Nellie dear? ?" i entreated: "Do not
ask me any questions; only love me al
ways"
After few days I opened my heart
and told her ell, but begged that the
subject might never again be mentioned
between us.
And now my life was indeed blank.
was not ill in body, so / said and
when il was remarked that became
thinner and paler, attributed all to my
dissipation and late hours in Boston.
There was no longer anything that
pleased or displeased, Interested or
wearied, amused or annoyed me. /
dared look neither backward nor forward.
L read without receiving the slightest
impression from the pages L turned
over, and listened to Alice's sweet voice
and to the kindly conversation of friends
and neighbors without understanding or
caring for their words. Thus it was with
me when at last the time came that
Alice decided on change of residence,
and for beginning, resolved on trying
"New York will do us as good as any
other place, if you will let me stay
quietly Mt home" And so we went,
Alice and 1, and a faithful old woman,
who had been with us from childhood,
and loved and watched over us as if we
were her very own. We established our
selves at the Everett, and had been there
for several months.
In all this time 1 had heard nothing
of Henry West, but that his wife had
recovered from her illness at Cuba and
returned with him to Boston in the fol-
lowing spring. In the semi-occasional
correspondence between Mrs. Gordon
and myself his name had only once oc-
CURED for you yesterday, and was
grieved TO learn that you had not been
we'll He looks himself very badly, and
has lost all his spirits. Perhaps madam's
society has n depressing effect and no
wonder, for, as you know, his boyish
marriage was the great mistake of his
life. They are utterly uncongenial,
and for years have lived apart, at least
nine months out of the twelve, though
they are nominally ON good terms. Now,
however. her health is failing very rap
idly, and it may be that happy release
for both is at hand"
On the very day after 1 had talked
with Alice of the possible material that
might be found in the crowded streets of
New York, we made cur first acquaint-
ance there. A lady whom we had fire.
quently met lii the halls and dining
room, and admired for her refined and
dignihed Appearance, and who occupied,
with stately old gentleman, evidently
her father, the suite of rooms adjoining
her own, knocked hurriedly at our door
one night, after we had retired. Our
old Margaret answered the summons,
and the lady begged that we would come
to her assistance, her father having be-
come suddenly and dangerously i'll.
Alice FASTENED to do all in her power,
and for several days, during which the
invalid slowly recovered, she made fire.
quent visits to our neighbors' apart
ments, bringing back eloquent descrip-
lions of both father and daughter. The
latter, who introduced herself as Mrs.
Gray, of Boston, now came frequently
into our parlors, and the acquaintance
bid fair to become a real friendship.
The ice was broken, and I no longer
wished to continue our isolated life. On
Saturday Alice came in from walk
with our friend, and said:
"Nellie, Mrs. Gray wants You to go
with her tomorrow to vespers, at ST.
Stephens, to hear the '.Sta6at Mater
May L tell her you will accept the invi-
tation?"
Twas quite ready to avail myself of Mrs.
Gray's invitation, and welcomed her more
cordially than usual when she cane
few hours later to repeat it in person.
As she sat and talked found myself
wondering who it was she resembled so
strongly. The shape of her head, the
expression of her eye, the tone of her
voice, all seemed strangely familiar, yet
We had never met until few weeks pre-
vious. The conversation turned casual.
ly on Boston. was lost in sad dream
when Mrs. Gray said, in answer to some
remark of Alice's
Yes, we have fine pictures, some
times in Boston; but we have our mag
nifcent organ always. Of course you
heard it, Miss Nellie, when you were
there? Your sister tells me you are
passionately fond of music, and of organ
music especially"
Yes, 1 have often heard it," 1
replied.
CT always thought appreciated our
organ entirely; bu6 when my brother
Henry came home from Europe, the
year after it was opened, his intense en-
ioyment surpassed even mine. And all
this reminds me to ask if You will allow
me to present this same brother of mine
TO You tomorrow He will arrive here
late tonight, and will be most happy to
escort us to ST. Stephens where he is
a regular attendant whenever he visits