The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-01-03

The Sad Case of Esineralda w. Perkins.
AGn,l L.. MoN,.lA.rIv

| w. Ierklns was Sharply outlined
against Vivian McNulty's left ear as he
stood that beautiful June evening in
the doorway of BriertOn Villa hoping
against hope, and praying that some
thing--he knew or cared not what
might occur TO sweep from the horizon
of his life the awful sorrow that was
hanging over it like pall-a sorrow
that would make every day an con of
misery, every word of JOY that others
might utter knell of despair.
They had quarreled, these two-they
who in the beautiful days of autumn,
when the leaves were turning golden,
when the hills were crowned with en-
Der light and the valleys seemed like
huge cups trimming over with pur-
pie haze, and when the trotting record
was lowered to 2:0Sl, had plighted
their troth so willingly and yet so
solemnly, thinking, and rightly, too,
that this blending forever of two hearts
was a solemn, holy act, one that should
ever be looked back upon in silent
gratitude-and now they were to part
forever, take separate paths on the
eventful journey of life-that Journey
which they had hoped by constant COM
panionship and enduring love to make
one of ceaseless JOY and sweet content.
But now all was changed, and the rose
tinted future which they had often
pictured to themselves and talked about
in the calm hopefulness that only a
young man on $75 month and pure,
passionless girl who can eat the bot
tom crust of a pie without q culver
can assume, had passed away forever,
and in its place there was yawning
chasm of despair and grief.
Il cannot marry you," Esmeralda
had said to him that night as he en-
tered the house, and then, having ut
tered the cruel words which she had
been schooling herself all the day to
say, and seeing how they had pierced
like dagger that brave, manly heart,
she had thrown herself into his arms,
and as her white face, down which the
tears were streaming. lay upon his
heart Vivian McNulty knew that the
words which Esmeralda had spoken
did not come from her heart-knew
that some terrible mystery was en-
shouding their lives in it's darksome
folds. And as he held her sobbing in
his arms the light from the chandelier
above them streamed down in golden
upon UUe DTOuOl, WllIe DIOW
from which the fair hair waved away,
fell across the long, strangely dark
eyelashes, giving just CLEAN Of the
beautiful blue eyes beneath, across the
sweet red mouth quivering like
grieved child's. And then, as he bent
forward tenderly to kiss away the
tears, the girl had drawn back-not in
anger, but with an expression of unut-
terable pain on her face and spoken
the three words with which this chapter
opens:
"Good-by, McNulty."
For an instant the man could not re-
ply. He had not felt such a shock
since meeting his father in the giddy
whirl of poker game and going home
with nothing but a contrite heart and a
lead pencil to show for his months
wages. He still held Esmeraldas
hands in his, and the girl was looking
up to him with eyes that we're fearless
= now, but in their depths there was
: look of frozen horror, a -bustle-has-
got-loose expression, that pierced his
: very soul. And when he had asked
for an explanation of her words-not
! demanded it as a right, but pleaded for
! it as favor-she had only shifted un
| EARLY onto the other foot and burst
into storm of sobs.
II can only tell you," she muir
INJURED, when finally his agoniZed en-
treaties had moved her to speech, that
our marriage would render your life
one of constant misery that it is better
we should part now than commit an
; error which eternity alone could efface.
You will never know how l love you,
3 Vivian-never know the dreadful agony
that this separation is causing me. God
knows | would greet death with smiling
face and outstretched arms tomorrow
| now that you are lost TO me forever, for
I what is life without your love, and pres
ence, and kisses, but an unceasing
1 torture? If L loved you less, if your
love were not enshrined in my heart as
something to be worshiped evermore, 1
would not take this step. 1t was wrong,
: very wrong, L know, to allow this love
t to overmaster my whole being, but it is
1 better to wreck one life than two, and
D to again / say 'Good-by'-" and, lifting
her pure, sweet face to his, Esmeralda
Y kissed him gently on the lips and turned
, 30 go.
5 Stop" exclaimed Vivian in an i'm
| perious, whoa-Emma manner. 81 plead
t ed with you for an explanation, but
a now l demand it, 1t is my right" and,
8 drawing himself up proudly, he broke
{ his left suspender.
t "You speak truly" replied the girl.
: IAN explanation of my action is due
+ you. Know, then, that L an victim
!. of heredity."
S "Of what?' asks Vivian.
5 "Of heredity," repeats the girl.
g I'm what respect?' he demands, his
l voice hoarse with agony.
l. Il have" saws the girl, steadying her
p self against the piano. Inherited my
V fathers snore. Chicago Tribune
Gambling on Transatlantic Steamers.
n The London papers have entered
! upon lively discussion of the system
. of gambling which prevails on trans
!. atlantic steamers. Passengers who
have suffered or been annoyed by it
write that gangs of American gamblers,
| = l..