The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-08-10

II
kerchief, though, for was really inter
ested in the girl by this time. She
would not not do it, but her
womanly heart was touched by my evil
dent disgust with myself. and she gave
me her hand saying she was sorry.
There was no CLEAN of amusement in
the brown eyes that looked into mine
with an honest straightforwardness
which was very captivating just ut that
moment. If there had been, / should
have rejected with scorn any overtures
of friendship that she might make.
As it was, it soothed my wounded van
ity TO see that splendid creature, rs /
mentally called her, Guessing over my
misadventure, and requested her
company for drive the next evening.
She accepted the invitation with q
smile that gave glimpse of her white
teeth, and my heart beat little faster
than usual, as pressed her hand and
said "good night" was a little absent
minded, and don't think / could, my
self, tell what thoughts so occupied my
mind. She was the subject OF them,
but everything else was kind of haze.
didn't question myself rs to whether
was falling in love or not. Nothing
even as tangible % that was in my
mind. The next evening was actually
seated by her side in buggy. 1t was
one of those topped concerns with
narrow seat, and blessed the maker
thereof, for as we sat there her shoulder
touched mine, and the wind whisked
the long feather, on her hat, in the side
of my face. / fear l was very near
gone, for the bliss l felt can't be de-
scribed; it must be experienced to be
appreciated.
She had taken off her gloves, and,
when / went to assist her TO aGght,
1 noticed how delightfully."- soft and
white her hand was, and / could scarce
ly refrain from pressing it to my
lips. Then for the first time ] thought
what unutterable happiness it would
be to press her TO my breast; TO feel
her arms round my neck, to lay my lips
on hers, and to feel their fervent pres
sure returned.
Was it too sudden? l think not
How many times did Romeo see Juliet
before passion was conceived, which
was stronger than life!
To go on with my story, asked her
to go to camp-meeting in my buggy the
next Sunday. l shall bless that grand
old Methodist institution to my dying
day, for l believe that it was on that
day she first thought of becoming my
wife.
When we started to the camp
grounds the wind blew warm, balmy
and moist from the southwest. 1t
seemed to betoken rain; but, said L,
who ever heard of its raining ut camp
meeting.
Miss Warner bravely declared she
thought good ducking" was not such
a fearful catastrophe.
1t was September and the leaves had
commenced to turn and as
we drove through shady lanes
the wind twisted them off
and threw them spitefully in our faces.
Emerging into open prairie, the breeze
rushed at us, "swishing" the dry, stand
ing grass in manner which augured i'll
for pleasant day. But thought lit
tie of the wind, or anything else, ex-
cept that had my souls desire in the
companionship of her who was with me.
When we had arrived TO with
in a few rods Of the camp
grounds, 10! few preliminary
drops.of rain came hurting through the
air, and warned us to put up the side
curtains and water proof lap-robe, and
prepare for the worst-which was not
so bad after all; for we drove under a
friendly oak not far from the rude pull
pit, and stayed in the buggy. Then the
rain descended "the nigh way" All
the sluices were opened, and new and
very choice assortment of water-spouts
were turned onto the assembled multi
tude. The windows of the heavens
were thrown wide open, and the water
pitchers were held there upside down,
but we were dry and comfortable, and
observed with interest all that went on
around us.
We saw sorryloo1ing dog walking
leisurely along, with the water pouring
in streams from his dropping tail and
ears; he passed near us, looking at us
with so sad an expression that l spoke
to him, thinking to cheer him, where
upon he gave one solemn bark, leaving
us, as he passed on, convulsed with
laughter.
The spectacle of very fat lacy with
quilt around her, hustling along to O
barn which stood near, seemed un-
speakably funny.
But the climax was reached when O
smiling man came along, unmindful OF
the rain. and holding an immense piece
of bread and cheese in each hand, biting
first from one and then from the other.
Neither of us yelled at him, but must
confess L had a strong desire to know
something more of him.
Then the conversation turned from
the ridiculous vein to the serious, and
we wondered as to the history of this,
that and the other person-what he was
thinking-what he proposed doing; and
we made for them quite interesting
Histories. Then we wandered into the
, realms of the abstract, and remember
well the earnest glow of her cheek as
she gave her views Of this or that sub
ject, and the luminous flash of hen eyes
as she turned them upon me. She
wore thin, black lace veil that day
| and her bright eyes and cheeks los
| nothing by their partial obscurity. Al
| about this time another couple of oul
= | - l. L.