The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-06-11

tion then ?" she asked, provokingIy in
nocent. "How selfish you are"
/ felt that my face was betraying me
but held on to my temper. So ther
she knew that had finished two pic
lures. / had not given her credit fol
so much penetration.
After oil this / dared not ask after
the fortunes of Mr.. Irving.
Muriel had no such scruples.
"Then that was really Black Eric p
she asked, when the Sheriff came in
again.
"Oh, yes. we have sent him back tc
Omaha for trial. He's a deep one
though. He pretended to the last that
he could clear himself.
Muriel looked slyly ut me but said
nothing, but i believe she read my
thoughts as if they were an open book.
Time passed on and Hugh called up.
on us regularly. Muriels lover was a
true oney for he never wavered when
his parents disowned him for his en-
gagement to poverty-stricken artist,
and he went at business with vim
which pleased even unbelieving me.
he showed that there was something
in him, and liked him better than
had ever done when 1 thought him the
petted child Of fortune, the heir to half
a million.
For all that tmed to get Muriel to
break the engagement Hugh was sac
riicing good deal fer her.
She only laughed and declared that
Mrs. Scarboro's objections were un-
founded. because she WAS only wealthy
"parvenu.
Am not an artiste% she asked,
with grand air.
Hugh became so angry at me that /
glady cried quits" al last. They
treated me to some scathing piSicule
about BLACK Erie" in psturn' for my
well-meant advice. and agreed to
meddle NO more if they would main&ain
strict silence concerning him.
Everything went on as usual with MS
for time until one evening EIgh
came IN with long drawn face.
News he cried, throwing himself
into my big chair.
Good or bad ?" asked M1riel, be.nrn-
ing upon him like a sunbeam.
bad, OF course" hazardedi. what
is it? Has somebody gotS the rog,les
gallery away from me?"
Good smiled Muriel, hopefully. Il
knew should succeed at last.
Hugh fastened his big grapeyes upen
each of us in turn. "Whatrdo,you sup
poss.it is, girls?"
"Bfack Eric mas returned like fairy
PRICE, with chariot lined with gold,
afte. the beautiful maiden wk0 believed
-, Ia, al
promise fer once.
Nothing ever excited her ftars b ut
Hugh, seeing that / was filled with ap-
prelension, replied soberfyy and. at
once.
III is good luck, Myrtle. Muriels
picture is sold, and your fathers, also,
and D have buyer for ass many InUre
as ysu will part with"
Ia was trne, although Iicoaia hariiiT
realize it. An Eastern picture. dea.sx
was N town, had noticed the pictures,
had liked them and paid an almost
fabulous price for them, we thought
He was coming on the morpwr to. Sse
our entire stock.
What a time we had unpaeking and
busting those old pictures tnat'evening-
and when he left us our rtaSllwas done,
and we awaited with beating heartssthe
coming of the stranger.
"Muriel. are we IN fairysiknd ?. apry-
thing is here except the prince" klsaid
thasneNi evening. as we stDed withyhAt
was. tC us unparalleled wealth IN our
hands, one-third of our pictures gone,
n Or Emise of a larger ord TT, and Muriel
with every picture she cauld palat en-
gagged
'"rhe prince is here.% she. replied,
gazing fondly up at Hugh. II shall
have TO paint Black Ere nowS~
Don't" / dried, a saxinessS Gaming to
me In the mi lst of all my JOY.
You forget your promise, darling"
said Hugh, softly, to Muriel as went
hack to my sork-rooIato hids,t.lR tears
In my eyes.
We took cottage, after that, instead
of living in my photographic rooms.
Here Murrel painted and ! spent my
few leisure hours. / gaws.up, the tim
types and the rogues' galleny. for they
were unnecessary now. for papa s
pictures turned ont to be indeed for
tune Muriel, tos, became the fashion,
and money and society she had until
she tired of them.
Mrs. Scarboao turned with the tide,
and made friends wSth Hugh and
Masiel and myself. and went about
town raving over Miss Maxton, tho
artistic, to whom my SON is engaged"
She also kindly offered to "bring 4aa
ont" but this / could not allow, in hct
it was all sackening Ia me. / had cVmG
to be consented with my lot-nearix
Muriel and her lover we're masnied
in grand style. was first bridesmaid,
and took an active part in all the fes
tivities, never once thinking or caring
what society or the votaries of fashion
thought of me.
One day heard some one coning VI
the stars, ard turned to confront
"Black Eric"
He was dark and handsome as ever
and there were no officers with him now
He took off his hat with the utmos
politeness, and, as he grasped m,
hand, said:
Il told you / should come some day
Miss Maxton, and here am. / though
/ would reclaim my picture from tn
rogue gallery"
1t seemed that he had proven himsel
;ooooant aftar all Tho real "Rlael