The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-09-18
MAUD FLEMING'S REVENGE,
BY II. MARIA GEORGE.

Aylesvllle, fellow something like
Ouida's hero, Granville de Nigne, some
what proud and somewhat vain, with q
touch of the old aOblesSe Obiige
about him that accorded we'll with his
tall, statuesque figure and his leonine
type of beauty. He was % years old.
and rich, so rich, that he could follow
his profession-the law-or let it alone
as he chose; and for the most part he
chose to let it alone.
Percy had lately returned from
three years travel in the old world,
bearded and Drowned as an Arab, and
with the air of grand prince. The pale,
sickly gallants of Aylesville fell back in
sad discontinue at the advent of the
gay and brilliant fellow, full of his rem
iniscences of Egypt and the Golden
Horn, and of talk of Partisan sorees
and of nights at Baden-Baden. He had
always had his way in this old suburban
town, and it was quite natural that he
should fall into the leadership again.
The young fellow had excellent parts,
but he had never used them, and did not
know what work was. He had been left
an orphan at a tender age, and adopted
bya miserly old uncle who alternately
petted him and swore at him, which
made him little reckless and desper-
ate. When he grew up-handsome as
a young Adonis-all the women went
to work and spoiled him, as they gen.
orally do handsome man. Then his
uncle died and left him fortune, and
so there was nothing for the young man
but to enjoy himself
He had a wonderful capacity for
hirtations, and more than one woman's
happiness was sacrificed to his vanity
and recklessness. Against one fair girl
he had committed the very blacklist of
deadly wrongs, and Maud Fleming
was glad to hide herself in obscurity
from the scorn and reproaches of that
consistent world which never forgives
IN woman the sin it winks at in man.
From that hour she had never been
heard from.
But Percy Hamilton held up his
head and went on his way, and beauti-
ful women, virtuOus women they called
themselves, smiled on him as sweetly
as ever Three years had gone by
since that sad event, and many had for
gotten it had ever happened. The fair
beauties of Aylesville were completely
fascinated 10y the face and manners of
Che dashing fellow; in fact, were mad
over Nim-all but one.
And she, Agnes Harcourt, was the
most beautiful of them, and the one
whom Percy was the most DESTROYS to
interest. Indeed, any man would have
been charmed with Miss Harcourt.
They called her fiirt, but she was
not one exactly, though she was much
Zoo naughty to deny the charge.
Hearts and fortunes innumerable had
been laid at her feet, but she quietly
rejected them all, and passed on in her
queenly way, gracious aud charming,
but as uncomfortable as ever. To do
her justice, she never appeared to seek
admiration.
She had been but a short time in
AyleSVille. Where she came from no.
body could ever ascertain. The first
they knew of her. she had come into
their midst one gorgeous June morn
ing, as if dropped from the clouds, her
self more gorgeous in her magnificent
dress and glorious beauty than the
brilliant sky above her. The next
they heard she had purchased a hand
some residence in the outskirts of the
town and was reftting and furnishing
1t magnificently enough for princess
villa. She seemed the possessor of
marvellous wealth, and wealth every
where has its adorers.
Of course Miss Harcourt soon met
Mr.. Hamilton. At the very first meet
ing he appeared to be completely fas
cinated, and soon became her most de-
voted admirer. 1t went on for three
months In the usual way. Parties,
sleighrides, operas, ETC., and Hamilton
everywhere Miss Harcourt attended.
1t was evident that Percy had more
than his vanity aroused; that his heart
was touched and that he was in deadly
earnest As for Miss Harcourt no one
could tell.
In February there was fete at Har-
court Lodge. All upper tendon was
present. The hostess was magnificent
in a dress of black velvet, with dia-
,monds on her neck and arms. No one
had ever seen her so graceful and
dueenly. There was flush on her
checks and a sparkle in her eyes, and
there was resonant ring in her voice
like the echo Of silver bells. Some of
her old lovers felt the flame stirring
anew, and looked daggers at Hamilton,
who seemed the hero of the hour. A few
Others did not regard him with envy at
all.
"By Jovep said young Bob Alcott,
whom she had Tilted some six months
previously, Miss Harcourt is on her
high horse tonight, but there's breakers
ahead. Do you sec how spoony Percy
lisp"
ooh, I'll risk Hamilton" answered
Fred Cleveland He cut his eve teeth
long ago, and Miss Harcourt knows it,"
Il don't care" said Alcott; there's
fun ahead, and don't you forget it.
Look at him now while she is talking
t6him. Why, man, there's flush on
his cheek like girls blush at her
lovers first kiss. And she-I rather
think / know the meaning of the steely
CLEAN in those eyes of hers. Well, /
rather guess do"
His companion laughed, for most
people did not give Hamilton the credit
of having any heart, although they re-
garded Miss Harcourt as scientific CO.
,quette.