The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-09-04
SAVED BY A CURL.
BY FLORA CRoFToN.
CHAPTER /.

oh, Madge, there's dear let's
sketch him."
"If his lordship doesn't object. you
should have added. l fear he will be
gone ere we shall have time to outline
him, even"
Madge Somerton, aged Is, and her
lister Rosalys, but one year her SEN
Tor, with their younger sister Maud,
denounced maiden of sweet is, had
ventured forth to Amberton Heath this
lovely May morning to resume their
skill as amateur artists, and at the same
time enjoy the delicious perfume OF
wild flowers, the babble of the laugh
ing brooklet meandering through the
rocky crevices which skirted the noun
tain side, and from thence Joined the
rushing, gurgling river below, and to
listen to the gay, joyous songsters of
the wood thrilling forth their gladstone
notes of praise to their Creator.
They were fatherless, and not wholly
unacquainted with the wants and pr
vations of life.
William Somerton was q hardwork
ing man in his youth, which of necessi
ty continued in his maturer years. To
keep his family from want, consisting
of his wife and three daughters, was
his chief aim in life.
That he succeeded admirably is very
evident to the reader, yet he was not
happy. There was skeleton in the
closet which gnawed at his vitals day
and night, depriving him of the rest
that should have been his to sustain a
healthy body and mind, to which he
succumbed at the premature age of 40
years.
He left packet of papers to be
opened at his death by his wife, who
alone up to the date of the commence
ment of this narrative bore the burden
of the secret of the dead.
She was much-enduring, self
sacrificing little woman, regardful of
the feelings of others, and also of
very timid organization, and in conse-
quence she had postponed the com
munication Of this secret to his now
young lady daughters from year to
year, dreading the ordeal which now
she knew was at hand. She bowed her
head in fervent supplication to the
Almighty, to strengthen her for the
trial
This morning, her daughters having
left her alone, she determined to con-
quer her weakness, and Immediately
upon their return to acquaint them with
the whole matter. But that Man pro-
poses. and God disposes" is q true,
though ancient adage.
well, you begin with his horns,
Madge, dear" said Rosalys, practic-
ally, land then if he should not remain
there long to Craze, why, you will be
from memory"
At this iuncture in the drama, Maud
came running breathlessly toward them,
her eyes dancing with mischief, and
her cheeks flushed with excitement, ex-
claiming:
"Oh, girls; suck q sight You,
Madge and Rosa, thinking of sketching
a wild animal like that That deer, in
deed!" she said, contemptuously
"Come with me and will present to
you the handsomest, tamest dear that
you ever saw in your most fanciful inn
imagination. He has escaped from some
park, am almost certain"
ooh, fie" exclaimed the sisters, with
one accord, MAUD, you will be the di-
rect means of spelling our picture: for
your excited tones will drive him away.
Come, now, go and leave us in peace.
That's dearp
'That will not do, then, so therew
pouted the little spoiled beauty. Il
am determined that you shall, both
of you-see this tame dear of mine !;
so come, girls" she said, coaxingly.
81 suppose we must indulge her in
this within, as in all others, Madge"
said Rosa, rising from her easel reluct-
.antly. LEAD the way, madcap, we
follow"
With one rosy finger pressed upon
her lips to enJoin silence, Maud tiptoed
noiseless to where fallen tree hid
grassy-bed of ferns, and there, half sub
merged by their lofty and gentle incli-
nation, reclined the form of q young
and handsome dark-complexioned stran-
ger.
His hat had been tossed aside by the
playful breezes while kissing the brown
curls which clustered thickly over his
smooth, untanned brow. A smile play
ed around his mustached lip, occa-
Isl )ned probably by the scanning reality
of some beautiful dream
"There, what did 1 tell you" ex-
claimed Maud in triumphal whisper,
noting the admiration lily concealed
npon her two elder sisters features.
"Tell me is he not the very hand
soonest, and tamest dear that you
ever saw? Dear, you know, girls, D
she said, laughing long and merrily,
and quite forgetful for an instant, of the
necessity for silence. Not so with her
sisters, however.
"Maudp they articulated, reproving-
ly. HE will hear you, and then. and
then what should we do? Let us leave
this place immediately
mo, girls; wish l could said the