The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-04-20


Mr.. Heverett will walk hup. Mr..
mond's drawing-room. The apartment
opens upon q little balcony by a
French window, and, being well ac-
quainted with the pictures, scrap-books
and albums scattered about, Jack goes
to the window and looks out. And
seated on the balcony steps he sees a
young lady-the youngest of young
ladies-the sweetest embodiment of
sweet sixteen, her form of sylph-like
loneliness, her attitude one of careless
grace, one tiny foot peeping out from
the folds of her dress. A critical eye
might notice that the dress-a pink
prints sadly faded, and that the lit
tie boot has hole in it; but Jacks
gaze is bent upon the glory of golden
| chestnut hair, that falls in waves, and
rings and curls over her shoulders-the
lovely head bowed over the needle
work of some sort, which she holds in
her hands--the soft outline of blush
rose cheek. A book falls from an
etagere by the window, accidentally
pushed off by Jacks arm, and the
young lady turns round, and Everett
sees that her features are perfect; her
lips exquisite in their crimson bloom,
and dimpled loneliness; her fore
head broad and white, and half
covered by tumbled, golden curls !;
her eyes sweet and starry.
1T is not polite to stare at any one"
says the beauty, delivering this piece of
information coolly.
81 beg your pardon says Jack,
blushing ENORMOUSLY, "but L couldn't
help it. There is no one here to intro
duce us, so, may | introduce myself? /
am Jack Everett"
II know who you are" says the young
lady, severely. ave seen you before.
Have you?" says Jack. pretty
queer, because I've never seen you; if /
had L shouldn't have forgotten you.
Are you staying here?'
81 am with delicious smile.
"Glad to hear it," says Jack, "be-
cause l live next door.
Il know that, too, remarks his com
panion, smiling again, this time with an
amused, rather hooking expression on
her curling lips.
"You brighten me-" says Jack "You
seem to know all about me, and l know
nothing at all of you, except-you
haven't even told me your name"-with
an accent or deep reproach.
"Why should 2" coquettishly.
Because l want to know it, says
Jack, eagerly. Haven't / introduced
myself? I'm waiting for you to do the
same"
wait awhile" amiably; "some other
time / will-perhaps
What a little firt she is !" thinks
Jack. She is standing before him,
looking down little and playing with
pink moss-rose in her belt.
Give me that flower, won't you?"
says Jack, softly and almost timidly.
He is not constitutionaIly timid. The
girl smiles, and takes it from her belt
and holds it up. But as Jack bends
down to take it, he sees her flush crimson
aid crush the flower back into her little
hand.
NO, will not" she says. Il would
not give it to YOU for the world"
And so saying, she drops the in
offending blossom over the balustrade.
Jack is not accustomed to being treated
in this way. For an instant, he is in
cllned to feel indignant; then, conquer
ing this short-lived wrath, he runs down
the steps, picks up the rose, and,
crushed and dirty thing as it is, he lays
it. rather tenderly, in his wastcoat
pocket. Returning to his former place,
he regards the hayward fairy in way
that is half-triumphant, half-embar-
raised.
DO you sing, Mr. Everett? ~ she
says at last, to break the growing
silence.
Never could turn tune in my life,'
says Jack, frankly. do you?"
"Yes."
"Do sing for me, then" says Jack,
glancing toward the piano within.
"Come" Offering his arm and inwardly
hoping that she will take it.
Not muchl" is the elegant reply he
receives.
Jack reflects that this is not phrase
employed by the young ladies of his
acquaintance. Then he wonders why
it is not, since it is thing so consum-
mately bewitching on the lips of this
one.
"lIr. Everett" she says sudden
". Il am going to introduce
myself to you" II am ali attention"
says Jack. And then the young lady
casts down her sweet eyes with intense
humility, and executes a courtesy-one
of those peculiar, bobbing courtesies
which domestics are won't to make in
the presence of their betters. IF you
please. sir, I'm the housemaid, and my
name is Kitty"
A feeling of shame takes possession
of Jacks breast; he is quite silent. Then
he says impulsively and thoughtlessly,
II can't believe you!" "How much less
polite" observes Kitty, apparently adj
dressing herself to the cat, who sits on
the step, blinking intelligently, "a gen.
tleman is to servant girl than to
young ladyp Then turning to Jack
II am the housemaid Mr.. Everett; /
am indeed" And then she laughs
laugh that is full of sweet merriment,
and yet has in it distant ring of pain.
Are you not ashamed of yourself to
have talked so to- servant girl,
housemaid? Goodbye" And before
Everett has time TO speak one word, she
II a. l. 1.