The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-12-27

pay, vengeance would be sweet. But
the old villain would live on and pros
per, while he, he must even be shut out
from the light and love of her darling
face"
No! he would not grow bitter. She
loved him; she would be faithful He
would win all or die-for her sake. He
would go back to the city in the morn
ing; his return ticket was already pur-
chased, and after paying his hotel
bill a few pennies would remain
He was just that poverty-stricken at
the present moment. But Clarice
should never know what an effort he
had made in coming to see her. He
lay musing thus until the late train
came in, little past IL, and reminded
him TO go down and examine the time
table as to his morning departure.
A lounger or two remained in the
warmth of the otherwise cheerless
office. The landlord himself had
been across to take in any traveller
who might halt on his way, and
was even now returning with one,
q little old man, at whose querulous
voice Mcclure started and buried his
face in country newspaper.
"a nice-a nice set of folks, not to
have sent me the carriagep complained
the newly-arrived. "A nice, careless,
neglectful set"
His face, thin and clean-shaven, gave
less token of age than his vocal quaver.
His bright eyes, skimming the room,
saw only the back of Roberts head
"But they were not expecting you to-
night, Mr.. Claiming" the landlord
pleaded.
what do you know about ?" was
the sharp rejoinder.
"I'll give you good room for the
night, Mr. Claiming"
you'll give me team to drive out.
A team l can drive myself and send in
tomorrow.
1t ended in his getting the identical
horse that Robert had driven earlier in
the evening. And Robert, with face
still hidden in the newspaper, chuckled
audibly. The old scoundrel would
find it rare fun holding the skittish
beast out there on the lonely road be-
yond the railroad crossing. The old
scoundrel who had cheated and robbed
him, and but for whom he might stand
tonight by the side of her he loved,
sweet Clarice.
He rejoiced at the jingle of the bells
as the old man drove away.
He returned to his room and found it
very coy. He wondered if Rowland
Claiming would come to any grief.
No, such villains always escaped. Yet
If the old man be injured or meet
his death ont there how shocked they
would all be-even Clarice,
He started neryously. He had not
thought of this before. 1t would be
greater shock than if she should
learn what he had hidden from her as
from the rest, that Rowland Claiming
was his cruelest foe.
Well, it was too late now; he had no
money to hire horse and follow; to
speak to the landlord would he absurd,
he would be laughed at. Besides, what
cared he for the old miser?
But Clarice!
1t annoyed him; he could not dismiss
the reproachful voice which seemed
dining III his ears "An old man! an
old man." 1t bothered him so that
he paced the room of quarter OF
hour. He then threw off his coat and
went to draw the curtain. How white
and still the night The wind was
down and it was growing steadily
colder. Fancy the old man lying
senseless or crippled out there beyond
the railroad crossing till after daybreak
What Christmas gift to be carried il
through the fair sunlit morning tC
Clarice, who had such tender rever
ence for her elders!
Pshaw What silly thoughts! Al
upsettal would not iniure the old mise
Though the bones of the old wer,
brittle) unless he were dragged o
stunned. Five minutes later he wa
buttoning his coat closely about hin
and leaving the hotel.
1t might be folly, merest folly, bu
something urged him ont into tin
night. He thought of how he NIGH
save distance by striking southwark
direct and crossing the railroad bridge
The trestles would be slippery, but IL
was sure-footed.
More than once he named himsel
simpleton, yet strobe on southwark j
the white, increasing GOODNESS. 1t wa