The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-05-22
LILITH.
BY LILY NJ. CURRY.

And round his heart one strangllng golden hair!
The keen wind, rising ever at the soa
inlet and sweeping its breezy circuit
around through the old town and up
the sandy, level road, swept with it a
merry party that August morning, up
from the railroad station to the summer
home of Harold Swain. The latter, a
youngish mana widower of six years
standing, long relapsed into the happy
habits Of bachelorhood-had come down
from the city, bringing with him friends
to remain one week, or two, or ten, as
they should please. Not all were of
odd acquaintance; only his trusted
Lester Chapples, who had introduced
him to the others, all ladies, and
specifically, as follows: Theodosa
Wells, O vivacious brunette widow, with
tender recollection of poor Jack, !"
who would go shooting in boat on
Sunday, in spite OF all she could say,
and so had met his death; Miss Meigs,
the elderly chaperon of the set, little
inclined to lace mittens and dawdling !;
and Miss Megs' niece, Lilith Francil-
Ion. Harold Swain had met Miss
Francillon but twice before this, and as
they walked up together from the sta
ton he said to himself she was the most
beautiful woman he had ever seen.
Nevertheless, had any one called him
aside and asked him to describe her, he
might have hesitated, uncertain of the
hue of those changeful eyes, the shift
ing CLEANS of sunlight in that red
brown hair, the fushes deepening or
paling in that pure, sweet face. Glanc-
ing from time to time at the lovely pro-
fiAe and loosely twisted hair under her
droop of sailor-blue feathers, its
knot of violet velvet, he Won
dered how Lester could prefer
the gay banter of the little widow and
the prim wisdom of the elderly chap
eron. But Lester, lie admitted, was
bearish ut times, in spite of his good
looks, his fortune, and his excellent
connections. The fact that Miss Fran
cillon was an heiress should not de-
tract from her loneliness. Was she
not ever modest and deterrent?
Harold had not kept silence while
thinking these things. He had spoken
of what they should d. for amusement
did you ever catch bluefish, Miss
Francillon? / mean good-sized one
Because Pve got the best little boat
you ever saw. Captain George runs
it for me. 1t is the Mary Jane at
present, ut / would like to change
the name, if thought young lady
wouldn't object to boat for name
sake"
Lilith swung her parasol lightly over
her arm, and laughed her own musical
meZzo.
Il should think any young lady
would be delighted with the compli-
ment. Pm sure L would.
"Would you?" he asked, seriously.
And now the others, who had Jagged,
came hurrying after, the lively widow
entreatirg Lilith to go more slowly
and to enjoy the morning.
But / am enjoying it, Theo,' Miss
Francillon answered, earnestly, paus-
ing as she spoke, and lifting her gaze
to the leafy canopy of the old street.
Harold Swain remembered ever after
how she looked, standing there, her
red, sweet lips parted slightly, quick
rose tints flashing into those fairest
cheeks, and golden, varying lights in
the wide eyes.
They went on presently, up into the
cool width of the rambling old seaside
house, where the cheerful housekeeper
waited to welcome them.
1--WE are all here, Martha" said
Harold, laughing pleasantly. "Yoll
might let the ladies choose their own
rooms. They will want those looking
seward. Mr.. Chapples will have the
one you always give him." and, turning
to his friend, "Come, Lester, we'll go
right up"
He went into the room with Chapples
and shut the door.
"You know the ways of the house,
Lester" he said. do as you please
come and go as you like. wish you'd
insist on the ladies' sending for their
baggage 1 don't want them running
away in twenty-four hours; and that's
women all over, if they haven't all their
toggery at hand"
you're very good, Harold. I'll use
my influence if have any" Chapples
was plunging his blonde. handsome ia e
into a bowl of rain water and mopping it,
man fashion, with damask towel
allow do you like them?"
Every much. The little widow is
extremely fascinating, as you, of course
acknowledge; the aunt is virtue born
of necessity, aud Miss Francilion is
the most beautiful woman / ever -
He stopped and went to the door where
Martha was knocking to inquire about
lurch.
Meanwhile, the ladies, having brought
no luggage, could only wash away tn,
suggestion of coal-smoke, indulge in {
suspicion of fine powder, and descend tc
the parlor.
"Mr. Swain has taste fer art" sale
Miss Meigs. "Lilith. my dear, com,
and see these engravings.
~Yes, presently, aunt Miss Fran
-cillon was surveying her sailor-blu'
costume in the narrow length of gilt
framed pier-glass. Theodos:a was in
terested in the life-size portrait of
blonde young lady over the piano.
~Lil, come and look at this picture
suppose il is his wife. Dear me!