The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-02-28

Iy conversation with Jerry'5 betrothed,
Bessie Townsend. Then Esther comes
and carries him off to the conservatory.
AS they enter recumbent figure rises,
and in the dim light. Elmer sees the
yellow flash OF jewels.
"Are you here?" cries Esther. Then,
"Miss Irving, Mr.. Richards"
The figure takes step forward, and
a ray of light, streaming through the
half-open door, falls upon her face, the
brilliant face and lustrous black orbs
of Beatrice irving.
She bows, and her face dimples in a
smile of recognition; she has not for
gotten that evening at the charity fair.
Elmer gives an amused smile; he Is
thinking OF the little bouquet, the roses
and myrtle, and wondering what she
would say if she knew of its fate.
Then Esther slips away. and they are
left alone together
Beatrice is a charming conversation
alist, and Elmer thinks it is infinitely
more agreeable to pass the time with
her in the dimly lit conservatory than
to chatter with this one and that in the
illuminated room beyond.
At last they rise and join the COM
pany. As they emerge into the light,
Elmer glances at his companion; she
looks wonderfully fascinating tonight.
Early one morning, few days later,
Elmer, while strolling through the gar
den, sees Beatrice Standing by rose
bush, endeavoring to disentangle her
scarf from the thorns upon which it is
caught.
IL am prisoner, you see,' she says
with a smile, "and, like most prisoners,
much against my will"
Shall release you?" asks Elmer !;
and, coming forward, he deity olsen
cages the delicate thing.
sThanks. You should be rewarded
for your hardness" Beatrice says, and
plucks white rosebud with a spray of
dark green leaves for q background.
AS she bends forward to fasten 1t in
his button-hole, their eyes meet, and
something in his causes the girl to
blush slightly; and, making hasty
movement, stray thorn pierces her
finger A tiny red drop falls on one of
the petals and mars its Wilderness.
"There!" Beatrice exclaims, in q
vexed tone. Il have spoilt your flower.
Let me get you another"
Never mind" Elmer replies. ut
does not show; and, besides, you may
scratch your hand again.
"No; l hope should not be so fool
ish another time" says Beatrice.
Then they stroll down the shady
path together, and enjoy pleasant
chat, until the bell calls them in to
breakfast.
The summer days pass quickly by,
and some of Esthers guests take their
departure. Beatrice Irving and Elmer
Richards are among the last that linger;
it has been blissful summer for him
one he will never forget.
One morning Beatrice announces her
intention of returning to her home on
the morrow, and that day Elmer deter
mined to know his fate. That evening
Beatrice comes down stairs, arrayed in
the amber dress that is so becoming,
and for ornaments she wears her favor
tie topaz. Her oval cheeks are glowing
with a warm rose hue, and her o, es
scintiilate like stars. AS Elmer watches
her, he thinks he has never seen her so
beautiful, so fascinating.
During the evening he requests her
to walk with him in the garden, and
she complies; perhaps she has an in
tuition of what is coming. A few COM
monplace remarks passed between
them; then Elmer Richards begins his
passionate declaration of love, and
Beatrice listens with clasped hands
and downcast eyes. AS he speaks, the
whole scene passes from him, and he
sees naught but the woman at his side.
Ardently he pleads, for he loves
Beatrice with all the depth and fervor
of his strong, manly nature, and if he
loses her, he loses all.
AS he ceases speaking he ventures to
glance into her half-averted face. 1t
wears fierce, triumphant expression,
q strange look that one would not ex-
pect girl to wear when listening to a
lovers pleadings.
She turns and faces him, and in the
moonlight he can sec the yellow lights
in her eyes flame like those irradiating
from her jewels.
Mr.. Richards, she says, calmly, L
can never be your wife,"
He draws back, and his face grows
white. He is not prepared for this.
He had expected doubtful, wavering
answer, few. months probation, per-
haps, but this cold, fiat refusal, never |!
"Then why have you led me on all
these weeks?" he asks, hoarseiy. "Are
you heartless, that you can so trample
on a mans heart? Are You coquette,
jilt? Oh, Beatrice, cannot believe
it. Tell me you love me-
"No, 1 do not" she replies, firmly.
Listen, Mr.. Richards. Five years ago
there lived young girl, a bright,
happy girl whom all that knew her
loved. One day a stranger came to the
village, and-well, Elmer Richards,
you know the story; it is needless for
me to repeat it; you know of whom l
am speaking - little Mile Irving.
Where is she now? Who ruined her
life, and broke her heart? You, Elmer
Richards All, you start and turn pale,
and well you may, for You know you
ere guilty. At her death-bed made a
vow that if you ever crossed my path l
would have my revenge. She was my
sister"
"Your sister," Elmer echoes.
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