The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-05-01
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
| CONCLUSION.
Three days after the opening of our
story, so uncertain is the disease called
consumption, Aunt Cynthia was taken
much worse. She ordered her lawyer
to be sent for without delay. And
the parrot which she had been very
particular about, and which was placed
in the most conspicuous place in the
room (perehed on the high mantel-shelf
just in range with her own bed,
where she could feast her eyes on it
constantly, looked down from its lofty
perch with those wonderful glass eyes,
(which seemed TO blink and wink" the
old lady said, with its accustomed
affection at her"
She babe her nieces good-by, linger-
ing longest over the bowed head and
fast falling tears of Hettie, whom she
impulsively kissed, then said family
you have been good girl, niece,
and 1 leave you all / have. But, Me-
hitable, grant me dying request, will
you?"
"Oh, anything, auntie!" replied the
sobbing Hettie.
1T will be harder than You think for,
I fear, niece, so prepare. Promise me,
on this, my death-bed, that you will
never marry Gordon Lyle"
"Oh, auntie, Is it really necessary?
Must sacrifice my love-?"
Enough, Mehitablel If you wish to
see me die happy you will not hesitate.
1t is for your own good, believe me.
He is not worthy your pure love, and
some day you may remember my words.
lam going, niece! BE Quick,
or it will-be-too-late
"Oh, yes, auntie, promise!" said
the poor girl, chokingly; "only bless
me before you leave me-.
The dying woman placed her hand
on the bowed head of the weeping girl,
and, in faint, quavering tones, said :
Bless you, my darling Mehitable
May God be good to"
Her breath grew fainter, and she
was no moro.
The next day as Hettie and Marion
were making some preparations for the
funeral, note was brought by the
posthoy for Miss Ryder. Wonderingly
Hettie opened it, read it, then, with
pale face and flashing eyes, mechanic
ally handed it to Marion.
Read that" she said.
did L not read him Alright? The
wretch" exclaimed Marion, angrily.
"How dare he?"
The note was from Gordon Lyle, and
ran thus:
MISS RYpEB-MY DEAR HETTIE: i scarcely
know how to begin. l esteem you very
highly; nay, love you "a brother loves a
! sister, but fear l have made mistake in
asking you TO marry me, under the circum-
stances. In fact, care for some one else,
and thought il the more honorable way to
write you at once. l hope you will not mind
this much, but, rather, think Of me as one
not worthy of your true, loving heart.
| Yours, rcgretfully, GORDON LYLE.
"The faithless-"
"Stay, Marion. Perhaps, after all,
I have been very fortunate to escape
him. This note saves me the trogble of
acquainting him with my promise to the
dead. How l dreaded it! 1t seemed
so hard to give him up. But now, do
not know but my love for him may turn
to contempt. That note is cruel, heart
less in the extreme"
The funeral over, the will was read,
which bequeathed to Mehitable Ryder
Precious Poll, and the house and lot to
Marion Gray, few articles of we'll
worn clothing to her servant, and the
vast property was disposed of.
A few days after the events recorded,
the following conversation took place
between Marion and Hettie Ryder:
poor aunt" exclaimed Hettie. 81
think 1 will remove my legacy to my
room to-day, Marion! 1t will remind
me SO much of tho giver. That is, if
You wifi allow me to remain here with
you, cop"
you foolish girl to ask such a ridic-
ulous question: exclaimed Marion,
while her eyes filed with tears. "Of
course, this home is as much yours as
mine; at least Just as long as either, or
both of us, remain single" said the no.
BILE girl.
"But how am / to reach his perch?
never was good at climbing! A ring at
the door! Who can it be, May ?"
"A gentleman 10 see Miss Ryderl"
announced the girl Mt the same moment.
"Show him up, Jane; will receive him
in my boudoir."
"Ah Mr.. Sydney; glad to see youl'
Hettie was heard to say, in her clear,
dulcet tones. AS it is you, an old
friend, would you think it presump.
tuous in me if l requested you to assist
me little"
"Most certainly not. Miss Ryder.
Shall he only too glad to serve you
'"Please step this way"
"Ah, Miss Marion, you're as bloom.
} ing as ever. came in TO help to cas-
away some of the recent gloom, if pos
sible,' he said, real sympathy in hii
look and tone. "How lonely you TIVE
must be-
Eyes, we have been since tho deatl
of our aunt" candidly ayowed Marion