The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-05-04

his feet, and gladness will be in his
mien. Or perhaps he will como ut dewy
eve, rowing over the tranquil mere, and
pearls will drip from his oars, and bly,
buds will follow in his wake, and he
will come to shore where the forget
me-nots are bluest, and tender peace
will be upon him. And he VIII recog-
nize me, and know that his destiny has
arrived, and he will rejoice-reioice.
And we two shall link our hands to-
gether, and thrill of sympathy will
unite us for ever, and time will be lost
in the eternity of our bliss.
She ceased, and her chin dropped
till it rested on her folded hands. He
remained silent; he was disappointed.
He felt it was utterly prosaic to be a
barrister-to be business-like and busy
to have briefs and elients-to be as
tutc and practical. He could never at
tain the PROJECTIONS of the beautiful
youth. No sun would ever condescend
to kiss his curly hair; no star would
ever vouchsafe to abide in his merry
eyes; no flowers would ever be induced
to spring up round his trim and we'll
made boots He must go on in the or
binary way and look for no poetic termi-
nation to his career. He was hopelessly
monplace-merely barrister;
there was nothing Sigurdlike about
him.
"But will strangle that fellow he
exclaimed, vindictively. He hardly
knew whether he was referring to the
man who, in possible future, might be
amused at Missy's expense, or to the
beautiful youth; he knew not at all that
he had spoken aloud.
"What fellow? Who are you talking
OFF" exclaimed Missy, starting Are
you speaking of the beautiful youth
Have l been talking of him all this
timer she cried, in an agony. "Oh,
what have done? What shall do?
have told you my secret, and shall
never, never be happy again. Why did
you draw me on to talk and tell you all
about him? L never meant to tell you
anything, and now you have led me on
to convict myself. Aunt Caroline says
barristers always make people convict
themselves, and you are barrister.
You are bad man ~
She had got out of the swing when
first she began to speak; now she
walked slowly away between the rows
of dahlias When she had gone half
way, however, she turned back, and
Mr.. O'Hagan went to meet her.
you will please come indoors" she
said, coldly. IF Aunt Caroline hap
pened to be out when you arrived L dare
say she has returned now"
She seemed suddenly transformed
from an elfn child into dignifed
woman. In days that came after-and
that came without Mr. O'Hagan being
under the necessity of laying violent
hands upon any other mamie recol
lected this little scene-the outburst of
childish passion and the instructive
.womanly control which ensued-and
loved to dwell upon it. He felt now as
if jury had found him guilty, but he
res lved to try and say one word in his
own defense.
Miss Missy" he began, contritely,
II only wanted to talk to you about
Norah and your brother; ] never meant
to vex you"
II do not care to talk to you about
people, Mr.. O'Hagan," said Missy, Sc
verely. IF you like we can talk about
the Irish question, or the Egyptian war,
or Iolanthe, but l do not wish to talk
about persons"
"But / must learn something about
my sister," said Mr.. O'Hagan.
What about her?" asked Missy, re-
lenting little.
Il want to know whether she and
your brother are In earnest. or if they
are only amused"
al do not know. You had better ask
Norah and my brother themselves. j
do not desire to commit myself any fur
ther," said Missy, grandly.
Miss Missy" said Mr.. O'Hagan,
humbly, and altering his line of action,
II plead guilty to your charge. have
done mean thing, and all L can vent
ure to say for myself is that your con-
versa ion so enchanted me that / could
not bear to interrupt you. Is that any
extenuation in your eyes?'
She did not answer; her lips were yet
tremulous and her ewes moist with re-
cent agitat on, but the hardness had
gone out of her face. Noting this, Mr..
O'Hagan pushed his advantage.
AZ am covered with shame at the
| LlOuBnt OF my DaSeneSS, lie went on.
"But almo before l realized that you
were reposing confidence in me the
confidence was already mine. NJ ISIS
Missy, beg your pardon thousand
times. cannot undo what is done, but
perhaps it may mitigate your distress
to be assured that your secret is abso-
lutely safe with me. l shall never re-
veal it to human being"
"You are very kind" she said, sor
rowfully. But it will never be the
same to me ain. Nobody knew-not
Bob, nor Norah. 1t was my one fair
secret, and the thought of it consoled
me whenever / was sad or alone 1t was
my rosy dream, which stood ever, like
tender angel, by my side, and it lulled
me to sleep in the night and brought
me Joy in the morning; and now"
And now" said Mr. O'Hagan, gently,
though some one else knows your
secret it is some one who honors it and
would fain be like your ideal. L am not
such very bad man, Miss Missy.
Don't you remember, Portia was bar
rister, and she redressed great wrong?
! W. barr.ictora do Try 70 oct iuet1v