The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-08-07

sThat would depend entirely on his
after-conduct," she answered promptly.
IF he were disposed to do right in
every respect, no look or word of mine
should recall the past"
81 would like 10 see you put to the
test in this" he said, inoredulously.
Il would like to be. would like to
know some one who had broken the law
and made atonement, and who wanted
to forget it all and live Alright hence
forward. / would like to be stanch
friend to such a oue."
Gordon began to row very hard again,
and so was very unable TO respond for
some minutes.
IL once had friend" he said, speak
ing very slow, "who was sent TO that
same reformatory--nearly eight years
ago. He-he forged the name of n
distant relative"
Tel me about it,, she said, with ev-
ident interest. Il suppose he was
young and didn't realize"
"Yes; he was quite young. He was
in the employ of this relative-a second
cousin-and had been perfectly honest
and aithful until that moment. Even
then, he had no interest in being dis
honest, for he meant to restore the
money within twenty-four hours. 1t
was a matter of pride and extravagant
companions. iie fully intended to re-
store the money, and only did it to get
out of boys scrape. Butt was dis
covered. His relative might have
saved him, but did not. After all the
the three years the boy had served him
honestly, that cousin--prosecuted him.
The boy was sent to the
institution you visited. Perhaps you
remember the rules. lie was perfect
in behavior for six months which put
then gave him his freedom. He left
the State Immediately, and nobody who
knows him now, has the faintest suspi-
cion of The secret he carries, nobody
but myself Not even the young lady
he is to marry"
"He las not told herr" cried Peace,
in q startled voice. oh, how wrong!
and how foolish! If she should find it
out by and by, how much worse than if
he himself had told her. Indeed, he
ought to tell her, for she, if she loves
him, will be the very one to sympathize
and to help him forget it. Louis, you
must urge him to tell her"
i do not know about that
"But you must, dear. Promise me,
the next time you see him, to suggest
it."
II dare not, Peace. / might be the
means of wrecking his happiness eter-
naliy. No, don't ask me. Let us talk
of something else.
"But l cannot think of anything else
until you have promised me.
Il will promise to ask him to think
about it," he said, reluctantly.
Z" cry well, dear. Because if she loves
him, it will certainly make no difference
in her feelings for him. Let me see;
you say he was perfect in conduct
Then he was of the first grade, and
wore gray. How distinctly l remember
seeing them all at work In the foundry
building they were almost all third
grade men, in red uniform, lovely
shade of red, too, rich cardinal. j
remember the light from the molten
iron shining upon the workers, and
making the color they wore even hand
somer. Well, well, Louis, you are not
vexed with me- are you?"
"Nexed
you seem so silent, dear.
He let the oars rest, and leaning for
ward, drew her face close to his own.
81 am 50 glad to be with you again,
be whispered. $50 glad! l have missed
you SO much!"
The boat drifted as he held her thus
--drifted placidly. They could hear
the other rowers singing sweetly once
again:
Soft and low. soft and low,
Wind of the Western
She leaned her head upon his shout
der How near she was How dear
she was He could hear her heart beat,
and feel her pure breath upon his
cheek. Her knotted hair had loosened,
and the redgold rings were shining in
the moonlight upon her dark, plain
dress.
And still he held her closely, and
they drifted.
why do you sigh, Louis?'
"If / should lose you" he said,
gloomily, what would my life be
worth? 2"
DO not THINK OF such Things. on
will not lose me, dear.
II must not, Peace"
AGAIN the refrain of the singers came
swelling across the still waters:
Wind of the Western sea-
And again Gordon sighed.
"Iou love me, don't you, dear ?"
"What q strange tone for that ques-
ton, Louis! A tone of doubt. Why,
/ could no more doubt you than doubt
the stars in heaven!'
"You-you have perfect confidence in
me, dear?'
Perfect
"And you will always love me, come
what may?'
Always. Louis"
"lou-you want me to have no
secrets from you, Peace?'
None whatever.
"No, no." lie said hastily, "and you
are right, dearest.
They sat apart again, and he pulled
stead ly at the oars.
"Thnt friend of yours, Louis" she
said, presently, "of whom you were tell
ing me. / suppose they put him at
work Of some sort?"