The true northerner., 1883-06-01

sn"i % AZ ehio ho" "otoioAsaoh Va AoA"s1on
ship.
"No, dear, I'm not Mercie's uncle
adding under his breath, "and I'm very
glad Of it, too" though doubt if he
could have told why he was glad.
Mercie's injuries proved to be less So
rious than was at first anticipated. A
dislocation of the right shoulder and q
fraction Of the arm below the elbow,
were the most serious ones she had sus-
tanned. Under the care of competent
nurses, with q liberal supply OF the
comforts and luxuries of life, and,
withal, the daily visits of Herbert
Hazleton, she became rapidly GONZALES
cent
Herbert was the only son Of the
Hazleton family. Like certain per-
son of olden times, he had taken his
share of his fathers goods and gone
into "far country"-that is, distant
State. Unlike him, he had not wasted
his substance in riotous living, but had
added thereto from time to time, until
now he was well-to-do, prosperous
man in every sense of the word. Add
to this that he was q bachelor and you
have very interesting combination of
circumstances.
They say that pity is akin to love.
1t may be so, for certain it is that from
pitying Mercie Browne there crept
into Herbert Hazleton's heart deeper,
tenderer feeling, and at last he ac-
knowledged to himself that life would
be nothing to him without her.
And Mercie. Who shall say how
often she looked forward with sad fore
boding to the time when Herbert
would go away to his own home, and
carry all the light and beauty and
warmth of the world with him? Who
shall say how often during those
long, happy days OF convalescence, when
he brought to her books and papers and
magazines, and read to her, or marked
for her reading all the choicest thoughts
of the best thinkers; and talked to her,
and led her out into new world, into
which she had often looked, but had
never dared to dream she might enter.
She thanked Heaven for for this mans
friendship. Perhaps she contrasted his
broad culture and intelligence and
noble generosity with the narrow views
Who shall dare to blame her if she did?
At last Mercie had so far recovered
that she began to talk about resuming
her place at the office. 1t had been
supplied for the time being, with the
understanding that she was to go back
as soon as she should be able.
And still Herbert Hazleton tarried.
With no ostensible purpose, he yet
stayed, and he yet made his daily visits
to the little house where Mercie lived
with his sisters children.
"Mercie," he said one day, looking
up from the book he had been reading,
"do you know that l intend to take
Susan's children home with me when
1 go?"
Il had feared that was your inten-
tion, she replied, in low voice, with
out lifting her eyes from the sewing she
held In her hand.
eyes," he said, Il have large, COM
Portable house, and plenty of money
that is doing nobody any particular
good, and feel it to be my present
duty to take care of them; to give them
a good education, and chance in the
world"
1T is your privilege, certainly, Mr..
Hazelton," she said, still without look
ing up. Il have done the best I could
for them. Of course / know that you
can do much better, and, if you insist
upon taking them, shall have to sub
NIT, however painful the parting may
be-" Tears fell upon the snowy fabric
through which her needle was flashing
nervously.
He regarded her in silence for some
moments. She felt his keen gaze fixed
upon her, and thought that he was
testing her to see whether she really
cared for the children or not. Burning
bushes suffused her neck and face at
the bare idea that he could mistrust
her motives. She had never dared to
think that he cared sufficiently for her
to ask her to share his home with them.
"Mercie," he burst out, suddenly, II
shall want some one to help me take
care of those children"
"Of course you WILL" she answered,
very quietly, "but think you will find
no difficulty in hiring a good, capable
woman to oversee the arrangements OF
the nOuSeuOlu.
But that isn't what want" he an
swered, impetuously; Il want you
to CO."
"Me?" with swift, surprised up
flashing of the blue eyes.
"Yes, you. Why not?"
Down went those blue eyes again,
while a look of exquisite happiness
crept into her face, glorifying every
feature. She understood him now.
eyes, Mercie," taking the little trem-
bling hands in his own, "you cannot be
blind to the fact that have learned to
love you. Your sublime self-abnegation
in taking care of my sisters children
won my respect, your heroic patience
under the ordeal of suffering compelled
my admiration, and you, your own
sweet loving self, have captured my
heart Yes, Mercie want you for my
very own. Can you love me, little one?
Will you be my wife p
IL were needless to record Mercies
answer. Suffice it to say that two
weeks Liter there was a quiet sale of her
few effects, quieter wedding. and
then happy little party embarked
upon an outward-bound train, seeking
Herbert Hazelton's distant home.
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