The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-03-19
Margie's LOck0t.
BY JENNIE S. JUDsoN.


see the birthday present 1 have
"a birthday present. Oh! Doctor
Dick. do let me see it quick"
~Why so poetical? Do birthdays
bring Inspirations
ooh! never mind the poetry now,
show me the present, please?"
~Did / say presently" asked the
young man, provokingly. Il fear
have made mistake in the mode of ex.
preston. / should have said, 'Margie,
my fair young friend, / have an article
here. for which you may desire to make
me some exchange and then have
awaited in silence your reply. Imag-
ine me as awaiting it now"
~How provoking you are,' said the
young girl, with bewitohing pout, ito
-deiude me into thinking you intended to
Presenta gift, when really you only
wanted to swap things"
s.What do you say to kisses for an ex-
changer" whispered Dick. slipping an
arm about her willowy waist "They
,areyeasily obtained, you know"
@Are they?" asked the mockRg little
witch, as she darted away. HWhere do
you propose getting them with so little
trouble?"
"Very WE'LL" Dick calmly replied, re-
placing jewel-case in his pocket and
-oomplacentiy surveying himself in the
mirror opposite, each one keeps his
own, and l dare say mine is the best
otter all"
@Will one kiss do, Doctor Dick? Just
one?" asked Margie. stealing slowly
toward him.
Behold to what a skeleton her treat
ment has reduced mep exclaimed Dick,
.addr essing his image in the glass, land
yet, to me, victim for years to her
caprices, patient martyr beneath all
her tolls, she denies few cheap
kisses"
well, then, how many do you ask ?"
"Just as many as you have years to-
day. and that is fourteen, is it not? I'll
take them in installments; three day
until we part. and only one right now
Will that suit your majesty?"
Margie took one glance at the at
iractive Jewel case. and concluded that
the proposition was fair one; then,
with laughing grace, raised rosy lips
forthe kiss.
One seal of the contract given, Dick,
true to his promise, opened the case
and displayed handsomely wrought
Chain and locket.
"Ohl OH" cried Margie, ais that
really, truly for me? And is there a
aFpicture in the locket of you, Doctor
DiclS2"
ayes. I had one inserted" he an
swered, teasingly, "for you to kiss and
cry over when you go to boarding
school. Now, you are my little cap
tiyeT clasping the chain about her
pearly neck, "and when / am far away
in Germany, and you are at that horrid
boarding-school,' you must let this
slight bond sometimes remind you OF
your captor.
ooh! Doctor Dick! dear Doctor
Diok!" she CRIED as. the locket all for
got, she threw her soft, white arms
about his neck and nestled her golden
head close to his warm young heart, Il
.cannot-cannot give you up. Why does
Aunt Margaretle let us go away, the only
two she has to love her, her brother
very lonely, and how unhappy we all
will be apart
"But, Margie," he answered, looking
down sadly into the fearful pleading
eyes. eve must sacrifice our pleasure
for the sake of On education; my pro-
fession is yet to be obtained, and your
collegiate course to be gone through
with. Only four years of separation,
and then think of the happy meeting -
"Four years." sighed Margie. Il
sshudder when 1 think of it. 1t is an
age, an eternity. Obi Doctor Dick,
cannot some change be made?"
Hush, little one; dry your tears and
go to show 'auntie' your locket. Our
hearts will be heavy enough at parting
det4ns not anticipate that sorrow now. "
Perhaps I'll have home of my own
when you come back, laughed Margie
chat night, in answer to some saucy re-
mark of Dicks.
"a home of your own," queried that
young man, an unmistakable frown on
shis brow.
"Of course; isn't it often customary
for young girls to marry when they
leave school?" was the innocent re.
loinder.
@OhT coolly, "now l understand.
Shall bring my little German wife to
-call?"
A startled glance showed Dick that
his naughty question had hit its mark,
and, with on exultant laugh, he caught
Margie in his arms, saying:
~Promise me, little one. that no home
but mine shall ever be yours, and will
promise you, by all that is true, thai
no other lassie shall ever hold your
place in my heart"
And Margie gladly promised.
Four years aud q half! and wha'
changes had been wrought
Dear Aunt Margaret had left bel
earthly home for one that was far NOR,
fssr; Doctor Dick" was far away ovel
the trescherous sea, and Margie sa
aaone in her splendid room, gazing will
'mournful eyes out into the thicken
ing dusk.
Her thoughts were on the happl
past, and sadly she compared the low
which surrounded her then to the half
courteous GOODNESS bestowed by tn,
distant relatives whose home was hers
ttpcn her now.