The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-06-29

long, oh how earnestly, to throw my
self-my life-the little fortune pos
sess, at your feet Isabel, you are in
my mothers house, safe from every evil
even from the suspicion of evil (; oh,
will you not pardon the stratagem l
used to draw you hither? Forget that
am stranger forget that L have de-
ceived you, forget everything except
the intense and ardent love which
prompted me to do so. My darling,
you are free to leave, to go to your
aunt's if you will, but L shall not let
you go till have my answer.
He came closer to her, and gently
taking her hand pressed it fervently,
passionately against his lips. Still she
did not answer.
my loye-my darling, say just one
word-that you forgive" he pleaded
| fondly.
The suddenness of this unexpected
declaration had well nigh taken away
the young girls breath. She was not in
sensible of his passion--of the love that
lit up those dark eyes with a splendor
and brilliance hat dazzled and charmed
her, while at the same time it bewildered
and amazed. She did not know what
to say. Her mind was incapable of act
i've thought-she yielded rassively to
the arm that drew her toward his
breast.
"Oh, my darling" he murmued, car
essing the glossy curls that lay against
his shoulder, 1--WE will be happy, oh, so
very happy
One moment she rested there. full of
! L., e,,l a L.. 4, l. 4
never inspired her before. Then she
suddenly drew herself away. Was it
right-was this the faith she had prom
ised herself to keep to Ross? Should
she surrender to mere stranger-so
soon, too?
Mari seemed to read these doubts and
questions in the timid, wavering chances
she threw upon him. Once more he
advanced and took her hand in his.
There was a sadness in his tone which
touched her heart far more than his
most passionate words.
Il see you don't care-you cannot
bring yourself TO care for me SO soon.
Well, so let it be- | will take you to
your aunt's at once, if you are so anx-
ious TO 60. But oh, Isabel, if patient,
tifeless devotion can win your love, it
shall ultimately be mine If ceaseless
effort can prove to you how deeply
love you, l shall spare no pains nor
means to accomplish it"
But where-how?
How will we account to Mrs. Oar
lington for not arriving yesterday?
Easily. We will say that you did not
get here till this morning, and, if you
will prepare to leave now, L will go and
call carriage"
He went out, and Isabel caught her.
self listening with a somewhat mourn
full intentness to his departing foot
steps.
"Why, my dear, we looked for you
all day yesterday, and George went to
the depot twice, but couldn't find you;
so we thought you had given up COM
ing. How very fortunate that Mr..
Mari happened to see you this morning
and brought you up, exclaimed Mrs.
Darlington, as she welcomed Isabel to
her handsome home"
"Well," said Mari, in a jaunty man
ner, Il saw at once that she was
stranger, and recognized her-would
you believe it, Mrs Darlington-by the
picture you showed me three weeks
ago"
"Impossible!" calculated the lady.
But true" answered Mari, nodding
wisely.
II suppose you have become quite
well acquainted by this time. The
drive from the depot is long one-eh,
Mr.. Mari 2"
Isabel flushed little and appeared
embarrassed. But Mari was equal to
the occasion.
Quite good friends" he answered,
carelessly. Such very good friends in
fact that trust she will not object to
my calling tomorrow to learn how she
stood the effects of her journey" Then,
after few desultory remarks, he took
his hat and left the house.
Isabel felt considerably relieved and
less guilty when she heard the outer
door close upon him.
"Who is that Mr.. Marr?" she asked
of her aunt, as that portly relative pro-
ceeded to help Isabel off with her cloak.
AN old friend of mine, my dear.
How very odd that you should meet
him in that singular way. He is rich
and well connected, bright, original,
and Just the least bit eccentric"
Il should think so, murmured Isa-
bel to herself.
"But he is sociable, goodnatured
kind of a fellow; rather slow-and-go-
easy, you might say but We'll wake him
up, my dear, won't we?" and her aunt
gave her a kindly tap on the cheek as
she glanced slyly down into Isabels
dropping eyes.
The latters experience with Mr.. MARI
would certainly not incline her to agree
with Mrs. Darlington regarding the
latter characteristic of that gentleman.
But she said nothing. How could she
confess that in few short hours she
had had better opportunity to form
an estimate regarding him than her
aunt had enjoyed during an acquaint-
anceship of several years.
She went up stairs to her room. 1t
was small but beautiful apartment
fronting on the corner of Seventy
eighth street and Fifth avenue. Glanc-
ing down that fashionable thorough
fare, she beheld Mari conversing with
| L. l. ooo J.fo 4l,o