The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-10-16
ETHEL's TEST.
BY JENNIE S. JUDsoN.

get up bnlS instant! mere IL Is
o'clock; the Henrys are expected in
half an hour, and you have made no
move to meet them. Auntie is depend
ing on me to see that you are ready
and she will be so provoked"
@When 'auntie' assigned you that
commission, my dear, did its possible
magnitude occur to you?" asked Cyril,
provokingly, as he turned pair OF
handsome eyes on the sweet young
face at his side. "You know even a
woman will turn ut last. What then If ]
should boldly declare my independ
ence and assert that will not prepare
t6meet the Henrys?'
ooh! Cyril, how utterly provoking
you can be-" cried Ethel, as the young
man coolly resumed his reading.
"Now, do be good, won't you?' she
asked, coaxingly. "Auntie is sure you'll
like Miss Henry, she is 80 altogether
nice"
Hecuba?" he answered, lazily. I'm
very well satisfied with the company
now have"
"Does that remark apply to the book
or to me?"
Il will be good, Ethel" was the ir-
relevant reply, as he left the swinging
hammock and took seat at her side,
provided my concession meets with
due reward"
Virtue is always its own reward.
What more can you wish?"
Something you've never given me
yet" gazing down intently into the
beautiful, upturned eyes. Something
ask not only as a reward, but that
you must give me as good-by."
"Good-byl" in startled voice, "why
Goodbye"
Because the coming of all these gay
young people will mean nothing but
separation for us, Ethel. There will
be no more quiet strolls by the brook,
no more readings in the afternoons, no
more home music in the twilight"
Il know said Ethel, quietly; "but L
thought it would be so much pleasanter
for you that tried not to care"
"Oh! don't you WISH" she added,
impulsively. shat auntie had no school
friends whose children might come to
visit herr"
Hardly" was the terse reply, given
with auizzical glance.
How stupid of mel" she laughed,
"for / should not have had this lovely
home myself, nor my dear brother
Cyril, if mamma and auntie had not
been such friends at school.
"Now, brother NINE" she continued,
never noting the young mans paling
lips nor darkened brow, what is the
reward you wish?"
"Only few of those violets at your
throat" he answered, IN depressed
tone. "But, Ethel" mastered at last
by some strange excitement, Il beg of
you never again to call me brother. L
cannot bear that title from you.
Forgive me. 1t was liberty. 1
had no right"
"No. You have no right. /"
And then he now pressed his lips as
though no other word should pass them.
would you not be willing to have
me for your sister, Cyril?" she asked,
raising lovely, deprecating eyes to his.
She little knew the wild thrill her
beauty and innocence gave him, nor
with what an effort he turned away.
NO." he answered, almost sternly.
az would never regard you as sister,"
A glance of honest pain was his an
gsweg, and Ethel rose and walked away.
"The struggle Is a sore one," he
cried, as she disappeared among the
sshrubbery, "but 1 am conqueror yet.
dared not ask the kiss she would in her
childish innocence have given. Ny
heart would have fingered on my lips
and told the story L have so long sup
pressed, that have vowed she shall
~,1t Iao~ until 1,ar l. On ~ boo otooI a0,No
test. She shall see the gay world about
her first this summer, and when she
knows better what to choose, L will lay
my heart at her feet"
Gayety reigned supreme at High
Oaks" in the days that followed, for
Mrs. Grafton, Ethel's guardian, was en-
deavoring to make her young wards
first experience in society happy one.
And Ethel's bright face gave no be-
trayal but that her attempt was a
success.
where is Miss Ethel?" asked Clar-
ence Henry one morning, as he stepped
on the piazza, where his sister and
Cyril were holding an animated CONVEX
sation.
"You Will find her in the shrubbery
likely was Cyrils careless reply. And
yet he felt jealous thrill that Clar-
.ence had supplanted him in seeking
her.
He noted Bthel's blush and swift up
ward glance as Mr.. Henry spoke, and
the fate that had caused him to meet
Miss Henry on the piazza.
Two weeks had passed without one
quiet talk between the two who, pre-
vious to the coming of their guests, had
been almost inseparable, and Cyril
chafed at the constant separation.
"How jolly May and Mr.. Grayton are
together" observed Clarence as his Sis
ters merry laugh broke on the air.
1.-THE old family arrangement may be
happily contaminated yet /; who knows?"
"Was there an arrangement asked
Ethel, quietly.
"Yes; made years ago when they were
children. They were very congenial
oven then, but Cyril went away five
years ago TO Germany, and May has
never seen him since until now. The
course of true love will run smooth in