The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-11-06
ALL HALLOWEEN.
BY ALMA M'KEE.
PART /.

"Retract those cruel words, dear
father, and call me your own Luella
once more"
The speaker, a young girl of eighteen
summers, with hair and eyes the hue of
the ravens wing, cheeks flushed scarlet
with emotion, sat In the midst of ever
greens, myrtle, and holly, pleading in
vain with an erect yet aged man of
sixty-odd years-her father.
"Nevern came the firm, decided an
swer. Gilbert Ainsley shall never be a
son-in-law of mine: swear i'll" and
he set his teeth firmly together.
"But, father, dear, love him. In
days gone by, when you were young,
did you not love my mother even as we
two love? Think twice, dear papa, ere
you doom me to life of misery and Sc
clusion."
She arose from her verdant seat and
stood before him, her beautiful eyes
full of world of pleading in their
liquid depths, her hands clasped be-
seechingly before her. who could re-
.sist such eloquence and beauty?
Enough" he Numbered. "Did you
ever know me to say one thing and
mean another? Accept Danton Merri-
vale with his $500 year, and all will be
well; refuse, and fathers curse fol-
lows you" After this cruel threat, his
form assumed its usual height, and he
left the little salon, slamming the door
behind him until the glass trembled,
by way of emphasis.
With heart-sick moan the suffering
girl threw herself upon her knees,
and, burying her face in the cushion of
the friendly chair, wept aloud.
The sound of many approaching
footsteps aroused her to a seEse of self
pride, and, springing quickly to her
feet, she hurriedly bathed her swollen,
'aching eyes in cologne water, kept
there in case of an emergency.
No sooner had she resumed her seat
than the door opened with crash, and
bevy of pretty teasing girls, and as
many fun-loving boys, entered the
quiet sanctum.
"Here you are, Lu," exclaimed q
couple of the most care-free, "like a
hermit in his cell, and, / presume.
quoting the old words of Burns:
Il cares for naebody, an naebody
cares for me- To which witty saying
all responded with a merry laugh, until
the room fairly shook in striving 60 re-
echo the sounds with justice.
ooh, girls, do be quiet, Luella Far
leigh exclaimed with a playful shake
of one forefnger. only see! / have
but one wreath completed and cross
begun. Had better use this arbutus
It is lovely! See how beautifully it
trails over the white iaponicas and
fuchsias." And she held up the trail
ing vine admiringly.
Use your own Judgment and taste,
dear!" responded Nellie Arkwright
sweetly, trying the effect of a bunch of
white water-lilies with scarlet verbenas.
, "Use your own taste, dear!" Knocked
Danton Merrivale, his head cooked
comicallY on one side, in imitation of
che unconscious Nellie.
WObserve that dude !" exclaimed saucy
Kitty Frazer, pointing one dainty finger
at the dauntless Merrivale. "Boys,
why don't you put him out? He Is
disgrace to our society"
ooh, for the superior sense and wis
dom of our forefathers," exclaimed
Sally Norton. q mock seriousness dis
figuring her bright, merry face.
"Well, 1 never" calculated youn g
Newman, with superior forethought.
eff tomorrow eve isn't Halloween,
and preparations just begun. Why
don't you work faster, girls?"
"Why don't you permit that wonder
full gold watch to rest in your pocket
for one moment, and use your hands at
something useful? 1t will do you no
harm, Mr.. Newman emphasizing the
title), to be as useful as you have been
hitherto ornamental" And Kitty Frazer
fourished her holly-branch tragically.
"Will it take ton of wreaths to trim
that one hall quizzically inquired Bob
Merrivale, brother to Danton.
"We wish it to appear especially nice
for this particular occasion; for You
know that is the place that we are &c
try all of our tricks,' explained Lucy
Grey, brightly.
Their gay sallies were interrupted by
the entrance of newcomer in theil
midst; the merry blue eyes and CON
slant good-humor which characterized
him made him universal favorite among
them all.
The young ladies all arose, with the
exception of one, with one accord, and
ran toward him, exclaiming i'll a chorus
of great enthusiasm:
"Oh, what lovely moss-rosesP "DC
let us see theml" wherever did yol
find them?" you'll not refuse me on
of those lovely buds; will you now
Gilbert?" ooh, Gilbert, do say tina
you brought them for usl" etc.
One figure sat as before-silent an'
motionless, except when one slende
hand was lowered to capture requires
branch or flower.
The last conner slowly wendell hi
way thither, and, bending one knee
silently placed a beautiful bud JUS
opening among the glossy, jet curls
Then, arising, the yellow and blac
hair for one minute mingled, as he fondl
whispered:
Darling, wear one tomorrow eve q
the doings, if you accept my offerin
my heart.
A vivid blush, for O moment only
stained the fair cheek of the lovely IL