The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-12-30


bottle of hairwash constituted the pur-
chase in question. This communication
was very unfortunately overheard. Its
correctness was not ut the time definite
ly established, but it was shortly after
| this that she first propounded her own
particular theory on the subject. which
she put forward with renewed confidence
in the conversation given above, after a
fresh display of the unholy phenomenon
as she CALLED it. This was the occasion
thereof. Mr.. Briggs had been seen
coming up the walk in great glee with a
parcel under his arm.
"What has he got there?' said some
one.
Gail the works of Josephus for ten.
pence" replied Mr.. Gregory.
immediately afterward Mr.. Briggs
entered the room and said to the com.
pany:
"What do you think I have Just
bought?" to which the general response
was
"All Josaphus for tenpence."
Ii turned out that he had Just fer
reted it out from second hand book.
STALL
When questioned about his mysterious
powers, Mr.. Gregory always became
very serious, and gave no information.
but changed the subject as soon as pos
sible.
In consequence of oil this, interest,
curiosity, uneasiness, ana even alarm,
were i'll varying degrees excited in the
breasts OF the several members OF our
company. Most of the ladies declared
that they were daily expecting some.
thing serious to happen. That those
expectations We're not altogether unful-
filled vii, now he made plain.
There were two new arrivals on the
day on which our story opens. Our
company had hitherto been pleasant and
select, but the lady and gentleman who
now came among us, and who were
named MIR. and Mrs. Grice. were excep-
tons to this. Showily dressed, and load
in their conversation, they made great
efforts TO mix with ease in our company,
and for some inscrutable reason seemed
to make special endeavors to become
intimate with our own party; Mr.. Grice
attacking my uncle, and his wife devot-
ing herself To us.
We were at no pains to conceal our
aversion to their ill hammered and often.
sive intrusion, but they seemed deter
mined to accept no rebuff Lily said that
we had met here the most pleasant and
the most unpleasant persons whom we
had ever seen III our travels. The
former class, | presume, mainly
embraced Mr.. Gregory.
Ever since Mr. Smiths visit on the
previous day, my uncle had seemed to
,e unusually worried and anxious.
Something had happened at the office,
it appeared, which caused him very
great uneasiness, and he kept a constant
watch for the post. Lily and L were
troubled about it, but were hardly pre-
pared for his sudden announcement at
lunch next day, upon receiving letter
from town, that we must pack up at
once and return by the first morning
train.
We had no objection to escape from
the Grices, but, iii spite OF Mr.. Gregory's
lll-repute for his mysterious arts, we
were very sorry to leave him, to say
nothing of the abrupt and unexpected
termination of our holiday.
The Grices were sitting next to us
when my uncle made this announce
ment, and L saw peculiar look OF sig
niiicance pass between them. Mr..
Gregory was sitting at the other end of
Il long dining and quite out of
ear.shot, bat he came up Immediately
after We rose from the table, and said:
ga very sad thing, this sudden depart
ure of yours
"Mr. Gregory" I replied, "you are
perhaps aware that you are under grave
suspicious of being in league with the
powers of darkness, and this is another
proof. How could you possibly know?"
"Oh, i'll news travels fast" he said,
laughing "But it is very hot after
noon, what do you say to little read
ing?"
Lily here squeezed my arm vigorously,
but answered, 90 fear my uncle will
not let us go out of his sight. He feels
1t his duty to keep special guard over us
while we are in such dangerous COM
pany."
Never mind" he said, 81 will read
to him as well"
We were now in the corner OF the
drawing room, near q window looking
ont on to covered balcony which over
looked the garden. My uncle came up and
returned Mr.. Gregory's courteous greet
ing ia "a manner which was, fear, not
very gracious.
MAY trouble you for the paper
after You, sir }" he said.
Certainly" was the answer. "But
may We not enjoy it all together? With
your permi.sio will read aloud TO the
coilpany."
Ny uncle looked considerably aston
ished mt this unusual proposal. Lily
looked up with open eyes and curious
expression, this being not exactly the
kind of reading she had intended. But
the offer was seriously made and re-
peated, and my uncle, who dearly liked
being read to, gave dubious consent.
Miss Lily, with filial affection, made
him particularly comfortable i'll an arm
chair, and Mr.. Gregory commenced
reading long, prosy article ON French
politics. He read with anything but his
usual spirit, and in soft, low, monoto-
nous voice. The consequence was-as
had poss bly, been not wholly unforeseen
that my uncle was soon enjoying his
accustomed afternoon siesta. The read
ing, having become gradually slower and
softer. now ceased, and the reader, look
ing mp, suggested by a'slight gesture an
adjournment TO the garden.
Lily and tried to smother our laugh