The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-03-30

of thing. we would never be able to en-
dure it there now"
said no more. The long, bright,
burning days wore on, and our bills ran
up higher, and baby's little breath
seemed to grow weaker and weaker,
and poor Jack himself seemed TO look
dreadful ill and worn. And one after
noon he was sent home in carriage,
quite unconscious. stricken down by a
sudden fever. put my pride aside
then, and wrote letter to Jacks
father.
Jack and the baby are both ill.," /
said, "and we are sick and tired of life.
Pray forgive us and let us come home"
The next day the dear old gentleman
arrived, but the Sheriff was before him,
Jack having confessed judgment in
lawsuit. The rumor that we had in
tended to leave town got out, and our
creditors rushed in anxious to secure
the lions share of our effects. The
brussels carpets, the handsome furni-
ture and the costly bric-a-brac all went
under the hammer at disastrously low
figures.
"Never mind" said my father-in-law,
old face, "let them squabble over it if
they will. We must get the sick ones
home"
SO we got Jack into the carriage, and,
with his poor hot head upon my knee
and baby in my arms, 1 turned my back
upon the scene of short-lived triumph.
1--WE are going back to Cherry HILL"
said the old gentleman, as in the dusk
of the golden day we drove through the
dewy stiffness of the sheltered lane.
"The old home has been waiting for
you all these months. 1 was pretty
sure you would come back"
/ could not utter one word in answer.
A great full moon was rising above the
distant hills as we reached the house.
Not the smallest thing was changed.
The great red roses bloomed on the
terrace, the bees droned in their hives,
and the cattle-bells tingled in the barn
yard. The door was wide open. We
carried Jack in, and laid him down in
the broad, breezy room that had been
our bridal chamber.
He opened his eyes and drew a deep,
quivering breath as the refreshing
breeze touched his throbbing head.
Nell, where are you ?" he said. Sure
ly this must be home"
81 am here, Jack, :" / answered through
my tears; land this is home, dear-old
Cherry Hill"
"Thank God!" he murmured, and fell
back upon the pillows, and L saw great
tears trickling slowly from beneath his
closed eyelids. Beyond the open win
dow, in the silvery glory of the rising
moon, the old grandfather sat, with
baby at his feet, half hidden in the rank,
cool grass, and even at that hour the
pigeons came fiuttering around her as
of old, and she screamed with rapture
as she clutched at them with her thin
little hand.
rose softly and fell on my knees be-
side Jacks low pillow.
ooh, Jack" L sobbed, II have been so
wicked. Forgive me! am so glad to
be at home again"
His worn face grew radiant and his
dear arms held me close. And then
and there, clasped to my husbands
heart, in the sweet shelter of the home
he loved, understood all the past.
"You didn't mean it, Jack" / whis-
pered. "You only pretended to enjoy it
all to please me-"
He smiled at me with his grave, fond
eyes.
"And, oh, Jack, our money is all gone,
and -"
He silenced her with kiss
. "No matter, little woman; the lesson
we have learned has been cheaply
bought. We shall not care to leave the
safe old nest in search of fashion and
society again."
could not answer. heard my baby
cooling to the pigeons in the grass, and
sat there, clasped in Jacks forgiving
arms, the happiest woman the round
world held.