The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-10-16

Il Y ~
Another link to draw us nearer to
each other, Ethel" whispered the
enamored young man.
"Ohl have torn my hand on this
miscellaneous thorn cried Ethel, glad
to listen no longer.
"Cruel, cruel thorn to wound so
charming q little hand" exclaimed
Clarence as he raised the injured mem
Der to his lips.
"There is the luncheon bell, Mr..
Horny. Let us surprise auntie by
being on time, and Ethel started hast
lily toward the house. She stopped,
however, as she passed the library
window to pick up pice OF paper that
fluttered to her feet.
A little later, when about to don her
riding-habit, this same piece of paper
fell from her pocket, and she looked to
see what it might contain.
The handwriting was Cyril's, and
she read, IL may as well confess Fred,
that my heart is my own no longer. I
have met one this summer to whom
even you would yield homage. I'll not
weary you with rhapsodies upon her
beauty, winsomeness and intelligence;
for it is enough to say that she is the
one woman of the world for me, and -"
Here the letter closed abruptly, and
Ethel, lifting sad eyes from its perusal,
looked hopelessly out into the summer
radiance that Knocked her from the
window.
"Cyrl told me once" she cried, shat
1 had woman's deepest lesson yet to
learn, and this is it, it must be ii.
why have you deserted me so en-
tirely since the arrival of our guests,
Ethel ?" asked Cyril, reproachfully, as
the two CHANGED to ride side by side in
the gay equestrian party.
Have deserted you? I didn't con-
slider it in that light. I supposed we
were both happier as things were," she
returned, indifferently.
The look OF pain in Cyril's face would
the day before have brought quick, re-
morseful words to her lips, but the
letter had done its work, and she only
thought with scorn, "Cyrils vanity re-
quires more to feed upon than 1 had
supposed. One acknowledged captive
seems to afford it insufficient gratifioa-
tion."
Chance threw the two together again
that night in the changes of a waltz
quadrille, and they danced together for
the first time. Cyril forgetting as he
clasped the plant, lissome figure in his
arms, her cruel words of the morning,
forgetting all save that the sad, Ian
gushing music was carrying them on
and on in blissful dream of delight.
His eyes almost told the secret his pale
lips refused to betray, as he looked
down at her when the dance was done.
Rather stupid for us to be thrown
so long together, wasn't it?" laughed
Ethel, carelessly, "but 1 must say that
you are splendid waltzer, Cyril"
"And that is all it was to her"
thought Cyril, as with pale face he
turned away.
Fool that have been," he muttered
vehemently, ito let matters drift. 1
might have won her love if L had bound
her with q VOW, but now it is too late,
too late.
"Grafton, may / see you moment
in private?" asked Clarence Henry
next morning, as he stepped into the
library.
"You may" was the stiff reply. as
there anything that can do for your"
a great deal, if you see fit. You
know my character, Grafton, my pros
poets, my situation in life, and so forth.
Now" with boyish impetuosity, "have
have you anything to say against them
Or, in other words, is there any valid
reason why | may not pay my addresses
to your mothers ward, Miss Wheaton ?"
Why do you come to me?" asked
Cyril, haughtily. you must be aware
that my mother is the proper person to
address,"
your mother has given her con-
sent?" was the eager reply. "In COM
ing to you l only desired to make mat
tiers agreeable all around.
Miss Ethel has expressed wish for
your happiness" he continued, why
should you be reluctant to do the same
for her?"
"EtheIs happinessp exclaimed Cy-
ril, in low, hoarse voice; "does Ethels
happiness depend upon my consent to
your suit? If so, Mr.. Henry" af-
ter moments bitter struggle, "be as
sured that her happiness is so dear to me
/ shall place no obstacle in the way"
And with hurried Excuse me-, he left
the room.
What a strange method of pro-
cedurel" commented Clarence; eff he
were not so infatuated with May, /
might think he was in love with Ethel
himself"
"Ah, welll" Strengthening up his
stalwart young figure, Twill no longer
delay, but put it to the touch, and win
or lose it ALL ,"
Two hours later, as Cyril strayed,
alone and wretched, through the dis
tant shrubbery, suppressed sob drew
his attention, and, cast down on the
green sward in an abandon of sorrow,
who should he see but Ethel, dear
little, sunshiny Ethel, who was never
known to shed tear.
"Ethell" he cried, in quick surprise,
what is it? Why are you here alone?"
She sprang suddenly to her feet, ex-
claiming, with startled vehemence,
"You, Cyril Is it you?"
"Yes, Ethel, it is l. Is my presence
so very unwelcome?"
"Not at ALL" with an attempt at
,,roud unconcern ct had intendad soon