The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-04-03

letters Dolly had sent him. They
would not feel the abruptness OF this
rupture so much as If they were placed
personally by him in my hands; and /
had his letters also to give to him.
Mother WAS quite unequal to seeing
him, for she loved him dearly, and the
task was left to me. was not sorry,
for felt could say all that was likely
to comfort him, loving both Of them so
deeply.
SO poor Frank produced his sorrow
full little packet, received the one 1 had
for him. and stood leaning against the
chimney-piece, while / sat quite unable
to utter word, but with tears Oh opping
quietly from my eyes. At last he told
me that he knew Dolly had been faith
less to him. He felt sure she and Jack
Dacre loved each other, and he spoke
so humbly of himself, and as if it was
quite TO be expected that his cousin
should be preferred above any other
man, that l was greatly touched, and
my tears fell faster and faster.
Jack is the soul OF honor, Kitty but
/ must make it clear to him that he is
free 10 do as his heart dictates. His
and her happiness must not be wrecked.
j will get my father to send me to our
branch house in India, and will not re-
turn till they are married. Jack rs rich
enough to marry at once. l shall en-
bark on Thursday"
Then he charged me with tender
blessings for Dolly, and, at his request,
i went to ask my mother to bid HIM
farewell. Presently she glided in, pale
as death. She held ont her trembling
hand in silence, but Frank folded her
in his arms, and she sobbed on his
breast l stood by, weeping bitterly,
and, when we were calmer, Frank en-
braced us both finally, and, placing me
in my mothers arms, left us. Poor
fellow: how brave he was. how gentle
and patient!
In n month from that time Dolly was
affianced to Mr.. Dacre, and the mar
riage was arranged to take place at the
beginning of the long vacation. We
were by this time convinced that it was
the best thing that could happen. No
one could see Dolly and doubt for
moment that this was the only man she
had loved. His calm, intense character
impressed her; his great talents awed
her; and her pretty, innocent pride in
| her manly lover, her meekness and qui-
etness were most promising symptoms
of happiness in her married life.
Dear mother was so serenely happy
was very fond of my new brother; lie
was such power for good and peace in
our homo that we never had been so
contented before. Frank wrote freely
to us-manly, patient letters, full of
unselfish interest in all around him.
His sorrow had sweetened, not embit
tered, his character. He had set him
self to alleviate his anguish by doing
good, and his first act on reaching his
! destination had been to use his keen
commercial gifts for the welfare of the
widow and children of an officer of the
army, and, at the cost of time, talent
and energy, to rescue her small fortune
from unsafe hands and invest it profita-
bly,. His letters were filled with SINH
lar incidents, naturally and simply told,
and our affection increased for this tru-
~ brave man.
Dolly's godmother took it into her
head that it was her godchild's duty to
pay her farewell visit before her mar
riage. Though, as she had never
troubled herself much about us, we
were rather startled at this demand;
all thought it would be best to accept
the inyitation-for my sister was not
looking we'll and it was settled that
she should go and spend a month with
the old lady in her lovely North County
home. Mr. Dacre was pressed to go as
often as his professional engagements
would permit; so Dolly left us in pretty
good spirits, in charge of the elderly
servant who was our substitute for q
regular lady's maid.
She wrote to tell us how she was en-
joyiDg the repose and beauty of the
country. Mr.. Dacre had managed to
run down from Saturday till Monday
at the end of the first week, and had of
course made great impression, but
was afraid he could not come again.
long case was pending at Westminster.
The letter which followed this give in
it's entirety:
HIGHwooD, July S0.-Dearest Kitty: /
hope you will get this in time 10 scrd my hat
hero instead of to grandmama's. am on u
fortnight & visit to Lady Milicent North.
Such a charming woman-a widow about rs
years old! She persuaded Mrs. l. oyd to let
u
daug hter-in-law. u confirmed invalid was
coming 10 spend Just that time with her, my
godmother was glad 10 get mo out of tho
way, | know. can't write much, for the
post leaves here at :, and we drop our latest
letters into the hall box as we go into dinnor.
! expect the gonr every minute. This p ace
IL lovely, and tho new Baronet-Slr Charles
is the dearcet--. The gong! Your own
DOLLY.
/ felt uneasy concerning this letter.
L was sorry Dolly shonld have left her
godmother's quiet home to visit gay
young widow just as she was SOLDERING
down and growing such thong htful
Httle.love. ltmight unsettle her again
to pass a fortnight in n ccuntry-house
with fascinating Baronet; and knew
Jack Dacre would never permit, never
pardon the smallest suspicion of firt-
ing He had pardoned her detection
in Franks case, for Frank himself had
pleaded eloquently, saying that she
was very young, so naturally affection
ate. But mamma and felt sure that
not for one hour would he permit the
slightest approach to disloyalty to his
deep tenderness for his girlish be-
trothed Neither her youth, her love of
fun, nor her merry heart would plead
one atom in her favor, so / read this