The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-09-04

glancing over her shoulder at the fast
approaching stranger of the wood.
Raising his hat courteously, he in
CURED:
young ladies, may L trouble you to
direct me to Amberton Heath? / have
been out upon an exploring expe'
dition"-
"Yes," said Maud, soto voce, Sin
dreamland."
and have lost my way"
He was puzzle to Maud. She felt
certain that he was cognizant of the
trick she had played upon him, yet how
impassiye and Unconditional his whole
countenance and manner.
His glance casually wandered from
Madge and Rosalys to poor little trem-
bling Maud, and she felt certain that
she detected saucy, mischievous spar
kle in his merry brown eyes, which
seemed to say:
$50 you are the young lady, are you ?"
Her face oolored with embarrass-
ment and Indignation as she vowed,
mentally, "she knew she hated him"
"You are within stones throw OF
the premises, SIR" answered Madge,
"and within mile of the villa. We
have been trespassing on the grounds,
and have but just quilted them; they
lie over the hill yonder."
"Ah, yes; many thanks" he said,
exhibiting row of matchless teeth by
way of acknowledgment.
will you not lunch with us? Our
cottage is only few steps away.
Twill enable you to rest before at
tempting the ascent of that steep hill.
Mother, too, will be very much pleased
to see you and make your acquaint-
ance," petitioned Rosalys.
"Yes," seconded Madge. Mamma
is lonely sometimes, and the sight of a
friend tends to cheer her. Please do !"
Maud said nothing. She was pray
ing, under her breath, that he might
emphatically decline, although she had
in a great measure recovered her self
possession. But she was doomed to
disappointment.
Again, many thanks! I believe ]
cannot refuse such tempting and
generous offer of fair hospitality" he
said, CALAMITY.
The time passed so pleasantly that
the little cuckoo-clock in the corner
had chimed the hour of 3, ere he was
aware.
Mrs. Somerton pressed him to call
again, and the eyes of the young ladies
proclaimed the wish unanimous; in
consequence, that was but the begin
ming of many happy-aye, blissful
hours passed by Philip Ainsley at Dove
Cottage.
"But what were his intentions re-
garding her daughters?" poor, ambi-
tious Mrs. Somerton wondered, while
racking her brain as to which one he
favored the most. She hoped it might
be Maudie, as she felt assured that for
no mere idle Irritation was he lingering
so long around her cherished brood.
And then motherly pang would shoot
through her heart, at the thought OF
perhaps losing her darling little one
forever, her pet eve lamb.
Yet, naturally, it must occur at some
time, and why not now to one whom
she felt assured, was noble and true.
Yet, even motherly instinct could not
assure her which, or if either of her
equally fair and worthy ones was des-
tined to be chosen by him. Did he
pay court to Madge one day, Rosalys
was certain to claim his attentions
the next. Maud alone kept aloof,
avoiding him constantly, and coolly,
though not unkindly, repulsing his
every advancement.
Her playfulness had greatly van
ished, her blue eyes looked liable at
any moment to be submerged with
tears, and the flute-like tones of her
voice were scarcely if ever heard, while
her merry laugh was gone. She was,
indeed, changed.
They walked, rode, picnicked to-
gether, and sang together, unmindful
of the lapse of time. until of a sudden
Philip announced his intention of re-
turning home in a few DAYS.
All expressed regrets with the excep-
ton of Maud, who, as soon as she
thought herself unobserved, escaped
to her own apartment, and there,
throwing herself upon her knees be-
side her little cot, sobbed and moaned
piteously.
"To think that he, above all others,
SHOULD nave JuSI cause LOT ueSp1SlnS
me. oh! why did L allow such a fool
ish freak to take possession of my bet
ter judgment? If L had but listened
to Rose and Madge, 1 should not now
feel like a banished exile. Oh, dear,
dear! how can L ever forgive myself
she said, between her sobs.
But when he met her again she
merely vouchsafed him a little cool
nod, and passed from his view. But
things were not to continue long in
this way.
A boating excursion was proposed in
the neighborhood, and Philip Ainsley
and lady, also the Misses Somerton,
were invited to swell the number. AS
neither Rose nor Madge had an escort,
Philip gallantly proffered his services
to them, instead of asking Maud alone,
as his inclinations dictated. As her
sisters were to accompany them, Maud
gladly acquiesced, having a noted
weakness for Life On the Ocean
Wave"
Philip vowed inwardly that he had
never seen so rare and beautiful O
blossom, and his admiration must have
leaped out in his eyes, as she turned
her face away from his gaze crimson
with bluebaa