The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-04-13

mantle name ayalled HIM aught With the
two managing grandmothers, who saw
in him only one of the working-day race,
with which the Huffeys and the Won
Breeks Won Starches had nothing in
common.
And therefore, with no more thought
about the matter than if John the man.
servant had been there i'm his stead, they
allowed their granddaughter to practice
her music lessons in the back parlor-
the sliding door being partly open
while he was Mt work in the front.
And so it happened that Gertrude,
trying to play an air from memory, and
finding it continually eluded her, was
about giving it up in vexation, when
some one softly whistled it behind her;
and, turning quickly on the revolving
stool, she saw the young painter, brush
in hand, standing in the doorway.
"Beg pardon, but that is what you
wanted, is it not?" he asked, as he
ceased whistling, in voice as deep as
that of the bassoon grandmother, though
much more melodious.
"Oh, yes, thank you'll" said Gertrude,
with blush; and, turning to the piano
again, she played the whole air skill
fully and gracefully.
"It's beautiful thing" said the
painter, still standing in the doorway;
"but think the song beginning in this
way"-and he prepared to whistle again,
when he encountered the frozen frown
of Madam Won Breeks Won Starch. as
she stepped into the room from the bal
cony, and fled.
And the next day the piano was closed
and locked, and the fair performer a
prisoner in her own room; and Grand
mother Huffey, meeting Mr.. Everdell
Tremlett as he came to work, requested
him in one brief sentence to "get through
his work and go about his business as
soon as possible"
But Love bless his merry little
heart laughs at locks and locksmiths,
and the very next time Gertrude went
for her singing lesson to the Conserva-
tory (to and from the door of which
she was always escorted by either
Madame Won Breeks Won Starch or
Mistress Huffey) she found there new
pupil with magnificent bass voice, and
that new pupil was the fair-haired, blue
eyed young fresco-painter. Not one
word of this meeting, nor of the meet
ings that followed it two or three times
week for six months thereafter, did
the naughty girl breathe to either of
the three grandmothers, and the two
younger of the trio eXulted greatly
over the strict vigilance with which
they guarded the future bride accord
ing to their long-laid plans) of Diedrich
Won Breeks, the rich Holland merchant,
due in New York with the new year
But their exultation came TO an end on
New Years eve. On that evening the
Conservatory of Music gave pupil
concert, and the very first duet was
sung by Miss Gertrude Won Breeks and
Mr.. Everdell. Tremlett. In vain had
the latter begged to be left out of the
programme; in vain had he summoned
to his aid mysterious throat disease.
His professor declared that sing he
must, or lose his place in the Conserva-
tory, and, what was still worse, prove
himself an "ingra-a-tel" And so the
three grandmothers, sitting in great
state near the stage, were Mortified
that is, two of them were (great-gran
munched her caraways as placidly as
ever)-by seeing and hearing their
granddaughter made operate love to,
in a very real love-making way, before
most fashionable audience, by the young
man who frescoed their parlors.
In moment the whole truth flashed
upon their minds, and how they sat out
the rest of concert, so great was their
Indignation, they never knew. But at
last, much to to their relief, it came to
an end, and the ominous silence with
which they received the pretty culprit
prepared her for the storm (the after
claps of which / have recorded at the
beginning of my story that burst upon
her head rs soon as they reached home.
When it was over Gertrude was allowed
to seek her ROOM Here she threw off her
cloak, turned the key in her door and
took from her bosom note, which she
hastily read.
my DEAREST" (thus il ran)-@I suppose-in
| fact L know-you will have a scene with
her ROYAL Highness Won Breeks Won Starch
and her faithful henchwoman the Duchesse
de Hutfey L am so sorry for you, dear
| But don't let them brighten you; and don't
| be frightened at what / am about TO pro-
pose. Tomorrow will be New Years day!
| Consent, | entreat you, to begin the New
| Year with me. have but a humble home
| 10 offer you, but in il waits the blessedest of
mothers and the best of grandmothers (who
| Will make your fourth To welcome you |
| shall be waiting when you read this note,
with carriage around the nearest corner
! Our alto and tenor will be with me, ready to
act as bridesmaid and groomsman. Your
| grandmothers would never consent to our
marriage and unless you take n decisive
step they will marry YOU in spite of your
| SELF, to your Dutch fifth cousin. Come, my
| darling, come. EvERDELI.
"P. S-If you find it impossible to make
your escape, why, then l must beard the
| lions in their den tomorrow, and fight a
duel with the Won Breeks Won Starch as soon
as he arrives in the country
Gertrude stood an instant in thought.
Then she glanced in the mirror 1t re-
Elected bride-like figure. Dress of
some clinging creamy white material,
daisy-decked head, cloud of lace
clasped ut the throat 10y tiny gold
cross. She smiled softly, reread her
note, waited impatiently until half an
hour had passed. and then unlocked
der door, opened it, and listened. All
was silent rs the grave. Cautiously
she ventured out into the entry, CROPPED
her way to the stairway, and began to