The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-09-08
"SHE WOULDN'T MARRY A
FARMER"

n
The old house at Stonecrest was the
most ancient mansion in the county. Its
walls of dark gray stone were almost
entirely covered with ivy and climbing
rose-vines. Year after year Mr.. Thorn
field threatened tocut the creepers down,
but he failed to do it, until the roses
were over the second-story windows,
and the ivy clear to the roof.
Perhaps they were spared because
Mrs. Thornfeld loved them. And in
deed they did give an air of beauty to
the square, gray old house, which no
one could fail to notice, and which re-
sembled the pictures of ivy-grown En-
glish homesteads very strongly.
When Edith Thornfeld, the Squire's
pretty niece, came down from the city
for long visit, she chose for her room
the corner one in the second story. the
coolest room in the house, wide, light
and airy, where the windows were nearly
covered with vines, and every breeze
sifted shower of rose-leaves across her
floor.
Pretty Edith, proud as pretty, was
Mr.. Thornfeld's niece. Her father was
q rich business man in the city, who
knew tar more about stocks, bonds and
mortgages than he cid about his only
daughter. Her mother died when Edith
was babe, but kind Aunt Rachel, Mrs.
Thornfeld, of Stonecrest, mad supplied
her place as far as she could, and much
of the girls lady-like bearing had been
acquired from her. Edith often came
down Tor a long visit, and the old
house was the brighter while she re-
manned.
Joining Stonecrest was another fine
estate, belonging, at present, to young
Robert Bolton. A fine, wholesouled
specimen of country Squire was he,
not without good mental cultivation and
intelligence, and any girl might be proud
of his favor. Even Edith admitted that
he was splendid-looking fellow and
good company, and she knew very we'll,
the sly witch that no one was fairer in
Robert Belton's eyes than she ! But
when they rallied her upon the devotion
Of her cavalier, she declared that moth
ing upon earth would induce her TO
marry farmer and live in the country
for good. To do her the justice, she let
Bolton himself see the fact, plain
enough. That is if he would have seen
1t ! But he refused to take the evidence
of her manner; perhaps, laid it to the
all the better for it.
well, I'm sorry for the poor fellow
he is nice, and if it wasn't the way it
is, L might-possibly-say yes" said
Edith, when she saw at last that she
could not keep him from speaking much
longer. 81 dare say he'll soon get over
it and forget all about me when he mar
'ries some plump country girl who can
take care of his pigs and chickens for
him." And Edith laughed gay little
laugh, and then felt as If somehow things
were not fixed up quite right in this
world, and she didn't know Just how to
straighten 'em. She tried no longer to
keep him from speaking, "Just as well
have it over and done with" she said.
He did speak one evening when she
had been over to visit his sister, and he
walked home with her. A few words,
but right to the point
at wish you wouldn't" said Edith,
more Hurried than she had ever been in
her life. "Pm very sorry, but indeed,
MT. belton, can u
"Do you mean you can't like me ?"
said Robert, turning little white, but
trying to smile.
"Oh, do like you very much But
not-not in"
" In the only way 1 wish to be liked.
Is that il ?"
"Tm afraid it is, Mr.. Belton."
He was silent moment. Then he
said, huskily eff any amount of wait
ing would alter it, could be patient, at
least I'd try, if l might have hope"
and here his voice failed.
at wouldn't be of the least use," said
Edith. "Pm sorry, but I'd have to
say the same year-ten years-from
now"
"Then there's no use," said Bolton,
trying to be rs brave as he could. "It's
pretty hard on me = harder than L
thought it would be. But il / can't
bear it, can go away, and not trouble
you any more"
"I wish you wouldn't talk So" said
Edith.
"It isn't very manly, is it ?" said the
poor fellow. "Well, I won't. Forgive
me, Miss Edith. And good.by-I don't
suppose shall come TO your uncle's any
more" They were just at the gate now,
and Edith gave him her hand. saying.
son, yes. of course; L know you will
come. We would all be very sorry il
you didn't. And hope you don't blame
me p
"Not in the least. There's no one to
blame but myself. I'll come il can.
II find can't, Why, can't. that's all.
Good-by, Miss Filth God bless you.