The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-10-22

satisfaction of the organist. Slightly
tremulous at first, her voice grew
steadier by and by, and rose clear and
pure as the voice of an angel. Every
one said afterward how beautiful she
looked-dressed in pure white, and
with such an innocent countenance.
There was no question as to her suiting
the people. Cosgrove felt vastly re-
lieved. He got on excellently with
Miss Folsom. She had no "quirks"
about her, as have most musical indi-
viduals. She left everything to his
judgment.
1t was the most natural thing in the
world that they should become friends.
And as they became friends, it was
quite as natural that she should tell
him about herself. She was an or
phan; she had been supporting herself
as music-teacher in the great city. She
had praeticed the strictest economy
that she might continue to study under
a good teacher. She was poor
The summer had slowly drifted by.
Happy hours are not always swift.
Sometimes so much occurs in short
spa, that one cannot realize the actual
length of time. They are days that
seem like months-so full are they OF
strange surprise and joy.
That was the way Joy Folsom found
it. In the late August days she
walked with quick step and bound
ing pulse. She sang with a new thrill
in her voice. She was nineteen and
tasting the happiness of first love.
All, yesl In all the after years moth
ing half so sweet or pure may come
to woman. One never again may
know the same feeling of perfect trust
and security. Look back to it through
tears, o We who have since lived and
suffered, who have learned to doub,
and to dread, who have stood face tC
face with selfishness, heartlessness, be-
| trayal!
He loved her. They had not as
yet discussed marriage, but he loved
! her. That was sufficient.
! Joy had made any number of friends
since coming to Pottersville. Or, &c
speak more accurately, had accepted
them. For she was by nature too shy
and retiring to make advances in any
quarter. The Misses Asher had called
upon her, and she had dined witt
them twice or thrice. But they were
all so much older than herself and Sc
stately in dress and manner that she
had not become very intimate with
them. She felt certain awe in theil
presence, which was by no means les
sened at the thought that they were Sc
friendly to Clinton Cosgrove.
Among others who had made kindly
overtures to Miss Folsom was an elder
ly soul named Bisbee. She was {
widow, and something of gossip
Perhaps she had her eye on the soprano
and the organist. Pehaps she had {
vague notion how Trinity's organ Iof
stood yelled in shadow those still mid
summer afternoons, when Joy Folsom''
slim white-clad figure IN the gloon
moved slowly to and fro like lily, an6
Clinton Cosgrove played soft interlude'
and whispered tender sentences while
playing. At all events it was Mrs. Bis
bee who met JOY that morning-a morn
ing she never afterward could put ou
of mind-a horrid morning of shocl
and darkness. Mrs. Bisbee had walked
home with her from the postoffice Il
joys boarding-place. And there JOY
had gone straight to her own room
dazed and choking.
Mrs. Bisbee had naturally enough
spoken of church affairs; of the music
of Mr.. Cosgrove; of the boy-choir ; an(
of the Misses Asher's devotion to tn,
organist.
Every one understands it, of course,
! the willy widow had said, carelessly
And really it is very good arrange
ment, you know. He has nothing bu
his salary; he is as poor as any one."
"You mean Mr.. Cosgrove is poor,
said JOY, sudden color creeping VI
over her cheeks. Il don't quite under
stand what arrangement you mean
though"
"You don't? Why thought every
body knew mean about Fidelia, o
course. She is year or two older
than he is, but that doesn't matter
much considering her fortune. o, yes
Miss Fidelia will be the making of him
1 don't quite know wher
the marriage is to occur"
Miss Fidelia TO marry Mr.. Cos
grove" Joy repeated slowly, as if tn,
intelligence were too stupendous TO
compre hension.
"Why, supposed every one knew,
the widow made answer.
Then, as they had reached joy
home. no more was said.
The girl went slowly up the boart
walk to the house. 1t was as if
thunder-cloud had settled upon tn
fair world. Everything was black an,
hideous All the sweetness had gon
out of the flowers; the very tree leave
seemed to hang stupidity, as if dealt
had touched their life source.
Suppose it were true. Then he ha,
only been trifing with her. He haC
never asked her to marry him, becaus
he had meant to marry Miss Fideli
Asher, who was rich. He had amuse,
himself with Joy Folsom, because sh
was poor. All, yes she was poor. L
the city her home had been an atti
chamber, bleak in winter, sitting il
summer. II work had been hard an
incessant. Her progress had been s.
slow. o, life had been pitiful strup
gle. And now the cup of happines
was dashed fro n her lips. The worl
was made suddenly dark and terrible
Joy remained all day in her room
to suffer. Pride came to her assist
ance, and, though it made the pain n
easier, was something of q prop. Tn