The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-05-22

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"You shook me, dear. Let us 60
out on the piazza. Will You come,
Miss Meigs?"
Il think not, thank you. I'm tired
enough to stay indoors" Miss Meigs
was remarkably easy-going for chaper-
on. There was no need to bother
these sensible girls two or three and
twenty years. She made herself COM
Portable in q wooden rocker, while they
slipped away through the long window
and INDUCED in girlish, gossipy con-
fidences.
"Is's lovely place, Lii. And he is
very impressionable."
Lilith laughed. "You like him.
What can do to help you?"
Help me PIN surprise.
A bell began to ring loudly. And
Immediately Lester Chapples came
out.
Hungry, girls?" He was not man
of many words, but the pleasant accom-
panying smile sufficed. He offered an
arm to the little widow, whose Jack"
had been her second-cousin; Lilith
took the other, and they went in to
lunch. Mr.. Swain escerting Miss Meigs
to the seat of honor.
In the afternoon they took their first
sail, and, though no fish were caught,
returned with excellent appetites for
dinner. ASterward the lively Theo
played waltz music in the parlor with
contemplative eyes upon the portrait of
the deceased Mrs Swain. Lilith danced
little with. Chapples, and also
with their host, just a swing or
two around the room, while Miss
Meie, dozed over the engravings, and
concluded to retire. The young people
now took to strolling in the verandah.
which was built on all sides of the
house. Miss Francillon walked with
Chapples this time; the widow with
Harold, who found her less Eighty than
he had imagined at first.
The couples were well apart when
Chapples asked, gently:
will you send for your trunk, Lilith ?
think we could en- ioy fortnight here,
and Swain is really anxious we should. F"
She looked up into his face as she
answered softly:
IF YOU wish to stay shall be hap
Ply here"
"But want to consult your wishes,
my darling
She felt his closer pressure of her
arm.
Il would really like to stay, Lester.
/ will send tomorrow, and Theo will
do the same"
Dear" said Chapples in tenderer
voice, don't you think it would be
well to announce our engagements"
Perhaps" she answered, slowly.
Tomorrow, if you wish. But is there
need of haste?'
mo; only feel as if 1 should like
the world to know that you belong to
me"
They had turned the corner of the
| house, and were out of the others
sight.
He leaned his face down to her own.
Kiss me, Lilith; you love me, don't
you, darling?"
"Better than any one else on earth, :"
she cried, passionately.
what made you sob, then, sweet
hearth
Nothing, dear"
They turned back to the parlor, and
found Theo singing softly duet with
Harold Swain, after which the little
widow declared herself sleepy, and
carried Lilith off to bed Martha was
closing the house, and the gentlemen
went up-stairs to smoke.
"Do you know that / have been de-
cidedly impressed, Chapples?"
with our little Theoy"
"No. no; not Mrs. Wells"
Not Mrs. Wells?" Lester looked
up prehensively.
Mrs. Wells is dear little thing,
but when Miss Francillon is present
other women pale. L fancy if she is
here very long / shall be offering my
self I'm more in love with her than
I've been with any woman since my
wife died"
Chapples had risen from his seat and
spoke with vehement sarcasm.
you really would do Miss Francillon
that honor? / am sure she ought to
be delighted to accept place as Sec
ond best" He grew still angrier
Perhaps, Harold Swain, you fancy any
woman would jump at what there is
| left you to bestow. But Lilith Fran
ciIlon deserves more than second
affection; n mans first, last, and
eternal worship is little enough to
offer her."
"Chapples," said his friend, recover
ing from the first surprise, "you are in
love with her yourself. But how was
/ to know? You are undemonstrative
you gave no sign. And does she love
you?"
"She has promised to be my WIFE"
Harold put out his hand.
II congratulate you. Forgive my
offending; it was unintentional.
Tit is all right, old fellow. / am
apt to show temper when shouldn't.
Let's talk of something else"
by all means. I've been founder
ing about all the evening. finding out
odd things. There's the little widow
says she knows another friend of mind
quite intimately, Dick Livesay. You
don't know him. Funny fellow, never
stays long in one place. Went out West,
then to Europe; came back in the fell.
Capital company one of the most fssci-
mating fellows. Handsome features,
olive complexion, lustrons eyes. I'm
going to write him in the morning To
come at once. I've told Mrs. Wells
should, and she seems pleased. You