The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-01-28


Then, smilingly, Elm only . country
boy, you know. You may be sure,
though, not too much of an one to thank
you for your kindness to me-"
Little as he vet understands the full ex-
tent of his influence over her, and think
ing that she only takes some such inter-
est in him as Mr.. More has, he yet feels
that he must not shock this rich young
lady with the full truth about himself
that he is only poor workman's son;
and, to avoid more inquiries, Mt once asks
for the dance Just commencing. When
the couple follow this up by another,
and still another, the Larton party begin
to talk; but all look on il as Irritation
in which Eta is amusing herself ut this
country boys expense; and Mrs. Larton,
an easy-going woman, not especially re-
luctant to see Etta-who is only step
daughter - get herself into scrapes,
makes no attempt to interfere.
George Larton alone gains little
clearer sight from his intense jealousy,
the natural result of his long and painful
suit. Rather dissipated when very
young, the fathers consent has only been
won after a most earnest siege and re-
newed proofs of reform; al / when at
last obtained, has by no means brought
with it Ettas love. AT thirty he Is not
even on trial, and has morbid hatred
for any man who seems to be receiving
the least favor.
Hurrying across the room to claim the
next dance, which is due him, and he
is doubly Infatuated at Etta's quiet re-
fusal.
80 George! / am very sorry, but l for
got you, and have promised this to Mr..
Gordon"
81 am sorry too" was the angry reply,
"to deprive Mr.. Gordon of your society,
as this will be his last chance of seeing
yorS but wish particularly to speak to
you at once"
A little scared at his manner, she takes
his arm pettishly, and turns away with
him, saying:
'"The next shall be yours, then, Mr..
Gordon"
"Etta," exclaimed George, "you posi-
lively must not dance with that fellow
again. l am acting in place of your
father now, and cannot see you flirting
publicly with q man not fit associate
for you, and becoming the talk OF the
entire room.
every well; consider this fellow
fit associate for me or for you, and as |
never was kept from doing what pleased
by peoples talking, you won't brighten
me in that way"
And SO he has killed his own hopes.
Rousing all her feminine and individual
perversity, the only result of his protest
is to see her spend the most of the even
incr 10
to Mrs. Larton, and capturing her as eff
fectually as her daughter with his sunny
blue eyes and sturdy, handsome face, to
hear him invited to Cleveland!
In the midst of it all Jimmie's heart is
beating very fast, and his head swim
ming little; but he comes through it
triumphantly, and leaves for home that
night with strange, new hopes OF secur-
ing the wished-for wealth by an easier
and quicker route than he had even
dreamed of before. That he is purely
mercenary it would be hardly fair TO say;
for most men can be fattered into q
liking, if not into love, and Jimmie GER
tainly can hardly help being fattered.
Very few young men exist but are lit
tie inflated by the evident liking and
even admiration of n pretty and attrac-
tive GIRL but when there is SO great diff
ference in social position, in wealth and
every thing else as III these two, we must
look for more age and experience than
Jimmie had to keep his head from being
turned. Being turned, it is easy to see
why it should fancy it was the heart,
and almost to think itself in love as easily
as Eta has been.
And now we will drop the curtain for
few weeks, TO raise it again during the
early fall in Cleveland IN the cab that
is driving up Euclid Avenue we find our
hero, the same boy whom we met on the
lake Mt Brownfields, still intent on his
object, though no longer with q dream
ing Indebtedness. The time since Eta
left Montrose for home has by no means
been spent idly. She, for the first time
in her life, has found whim to which
she is constant; and In the correspond
ence which she grants him has, instead
of dulling her interest In this latest no
ton, added fresh fuel to the flame.
Jimmie, seeing now just how things
stand, has been vigorously making pre-
parations for appearing before Mr.. Lar
ton creditably. His first step Is to Dor
row q little money his father has laid by,
and the next to hire desk-room and an
office-boy in New York, where he puts
mp n sign as "Broker in Iron. this being
to give color to the character he intends
to assume of being an agent for Mr..
Peters. And now, with all his arrange
ments completed, he is driving up to
Etta's home. not yet cured of all his
palpitations, but with considerably more
self-possession.
He feels very tremulous again as he
enters the door, and as the footman with
gentle persistence, takes him TO his
room rather reluctant, since he cannot
see what "fxing" he needs, and almost
gives way when he finds himself in the
most elegant room he has ever seen.
Dressing and suddenly discovering that
he is utterly Mt loss as to where to go
and what to do. his usual good luck
brings Eta to his rescue on her way
down stairs. Helped by the same good
angel he struggles through his dinner;
escapes danger in not knowing what
wine to drink 10y suddenly becoming
totally abstinent; is fortunate enough to