The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-08-21


dear to you is equally dear to Eric
Lennox; what is his wish is mine. He
has had one wish all of your life which
you and you alone now can grant, and
which will give him peace and happi-
ness"
Il would do anything for my father, I"
she answered, the tears swelling into
her eyes. "Oh, why has he not told
me of this wish before? What is it.,
Col. Lennox?"
"The Wish is that you are left under
my guardianship, said Eric, slowly,
"and in my care, in the only way in
which il can be done"
Did she have any vague suspicion of
what was meant, that she b1ushed so
painfully-thats she looked so startled ?"
"And that one way isis"
"Under the shadow of my name--my
WIFE"
Every drop of blood seemed to
leave, drop by drop, the beautiful face
even the hands which he held grew
cold and bloodless, as she sank
covering, figure of supplication at his
feet, releasing her hands as she did so.
Passionate tears and sobs shook her
slight frame, while bitter, reproachful
words broke out from proud, wounded
womanhood.
mo, no, your generous pity, your
noble heroism, strive TO veil the truth
of my shame-yes, mine, mine,' she
sprang to her feet exclaiming wildly.
For l know that in his blind love for
me my father forgot my womanhood,
and offered me-heaven how can L say
it!-forced me upon you"
"Hush, Edith !" he exclaimed, sternly.
"He did not, as heaven is my witness.
He did not intimate to me anything of
the kind until l preached the subject
myself. Then only did he betray to
me that that had been the one passion
ate wish of his life, of eighteen years,
to see his daughter the wife of his loved
and trusted friend, before he died.
ask the honor at your own hands, my
dear, and if you wish will now return
to your father, and thus give you time
to make up your mind whether you will
accept or reject. In short'time L will
return for my answer"
This was all, and Edith was once
more alone. Alone to think while her
brain was in a whirl, and her heart
seemed almost pulseless. He was
knightly to the core, gentlemanly
to fault, and, oh, SO regardful of
her feelings.
She walked the floor of the narrow
room, like young wild deer, longing
for larger field to scatter her sorrow
in.
The door opened softly, and she gave
violent start as she stopped suddenly
in her walk, and shrank back little as
Col. Lennox entered the room. He
crossed the floor and paused at small
table, bending his. head over it, no act
ing in the whole attitude of dignifed
Difference, and sweet, grave voice and
manner; it was only simple nature in
this chivalrous gentleman to take the
role of suppliant to this girl, whom he
was forced to WOO in this strange man.
ner.
Thoughts rapid and humiliating were
chasing each other through the brain
of Edith as she stood there with folded
hands, and the color coming and going
in her beautiful face Some thought,
some memory of Cyril Balfour, pride,
womanhood desperately wounded by
the very pity, the generosity which she
knew, despite all he could say, had die
tated the offer. She thought he must
despise her for being mercenary, and
all too soon as burden forced on him
for life And vet, through it all, stood
out in letters of fire that it was her ia
theirs dying wish, one hope, that-that
he was lying now in the next room in
agony of suspense for her answer; and
how could she. how could she-cost her
what it might-embitter his last mo-
ments? What could be worse than the
remorse that must then haunt her ever
more?
as my answer what /: may dare hope
Is tiny wife,"
The blood mounted to the fair face
and back again, leaving it deathly white,
and she tried TO speak, but only voice
less whisper quivered over the trem-
bling lips.
"Forgive-bear with me- will try
Toto"
One step forward and she was enfold-
ed in his arms, and the warm lips
pressed kiss-a grave kiss on her
brow-not q lovers clasp, not lovers
kiss, but it scarcely needed the added
language of those lips, steadfast low
spoken words, as her tears fell fast and
heavy on his breast
Heaven helping me, will try to do
my duty by this young life thus given
to me, and make good every vow my
lips must so soon speak for her."
Hush, my child" Once more he
touched her brow, and gently loosed
her. $50 to your father, for l must go
at once to DIR. Morton's, and to the
Clergy House of st. Alphage."
S he knew what for, and moved tow
ard the door, which he held open for
her to pass through.
CHAPTER III.
AN ORPHAN.
"My darling, is that you?" the dying
man exclaimed "Bless you for this