The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-11-06

on wings. through the open gateway,
and on, madly onward along the dusty
roadside, never pausing to glance be-
hind her until she had put over half
the distance between her and the scene
of her fright.
She then beheld in the distance the
unmistaAable object in speedy pursuit.
"Oh, if she could but reach her own
door ere it overlook her."
On, on she few now more dead than
alive, her breath coming in quick
gasps, the cold perspiration oozing from
her forehead.
At last she saw the light from her
own window glimmering mercifully be-
fore her, and, praying that her strength
might not forsake her until she was
safe within, she flew onward, not daring
to look behind her.
Now she had gained the carriage
drive, and with tottering, failing steps,
reached her door just as her pursuer
ioated in at the gate.
Thank God, she had strength re-
naming to turn the knob, then, with a
wild, dying shrek, still clutching the
basket, fell senseless at the feet of her
cruel parent.
Startled by the appearance of his
daughter. so like death, he rang quickly
for Luella's maid, who bore her young
mistress to her chamber, disrobed her,
and as quickly as possible administered
restoratives.
1t was a long time ere the lustrous
eyes opened again; then, with the I'M
In L ht.snl Nf Il
curdling laugh, she again relapsed into
unconsciousness.
The father, greatly alarmed, now
sent for the family physician, who
slowly shook his head.
"She has sustained some fearful
shock" he said, land it is doubtful if
she ever fully RECEIVERS. Her body may,
but her reason, fear, is forever gone"
"My Godl !" cried the father, falling
upon his knees, his gray locks falling
over his clasped hands: "Only save
her, and / will devote my life, if need
be, to undo the wrong l have done"
Brain fever had done it's work! All
of the beautiful jetty curls had been
shorn from the head of the raving girl.
In her delirium she constantly repeated
the details of that horrible night, ask
ing in pitiful tone, IF the ghost had
taken the skull from herr" and saying,
excitedly: "Oh, papa, did go, for
Bertie's sake, and put it in the basket.
There it is, don't you see it? Up therei
There, grinning so CHASTITY at me-" she
would exclaim, pointing at the ceiling.
The crisis came. Her life hung upon
thread. An hour would decide the
case. 1t was now IL o'clock at night.
The beautiful eyes were closed, per-
haps forever; the face seemed carved
from marble.
The stricken father knelt by the bed
side of the child whom, in his way, he re-
ally loved, tears streaming between his
fingers and dropping upon the white
coverlet enshrouding the unconscious
girl.
The physician stood with folded
arms, breathlessly awaiting the result.
He crossed over noiselessly, and,
seating himself near the bowed form of
the parent, gently clasped one of the
dainty wrists, while with the other
hand he held the slowly moving time
piece.
The hands pointed to midnight
How deathsiike the silence. Was it a
herald of coming death?
Slowly the waxen lids lifted; the
hands stirred feebly, while weak but
perfectly rational voice exclaimed:
Papa"
Low though it was, it awoke the
kneeling man from his death-like leth
argy, and with a joyful cry he rained
kiss after kiss upon the lips, brow and
eyes of the weak but tranquil daughter.
Then turning to the doctor, he said,
gratefully:
"Sir, you and the good, forgiving
God have accomplished this miracle"
Il but did my duty, SIR" modestly
exclaimed the physician. "But, with a
little care now, L think there is no
trouble to be anticipated, in her case,