The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-04-23

irresistible body as---excuse me, mod
esty fcrbids that proceed. Can you
blame her il he wasp"
/ was silly enough to flush at this
saucy insinuation; but just as laugh
ing retort rose to my lips, o servant an
nounced that Mr.. Keeldar awaited me
IN the parlor, and arose TO leave.
Mr.. Persons brow darkened at the
announcement, and az threw down
my book. he remarked with sarcasm:
why not let us adopt that sweet and
gentle youth, Miss Beaumont. His
visits have become daily now, and the
economy of trouble for him."
Nothing would suit me better" /
answered gayly, as stepped into the
hall.
Mr.. Keeldar is very wise and very
pleasant, Cecil. He lives on the next
plantation, and often comes to take me
to ride.
| All thought of the French lesson. had
escaped my mind the next morning, as
arrayed in my riding habit stumbled
into the library to await my escort.
Sitting near the window, 1 began to
hum Come Der the Water, Charlie"
forgetting how appropriate the words
were to the occasion, when Mr.. Pierson
came into the room and gave me so
significant glance that my cheeks
grew red as peony at once.
What q pity Charlie isn't DER the
water now" he said, mockingly, ito
see and hear you. Do you know of
what am reminded as see you thus ?"
and he read from the book in his hand
this passage: "Corinne waited at her
window for Oswald's coming Her face
was filled with eager expectancy, and
| his name was often upon her lips" as
not the picture true?" with such sar-
castle emphasis that was stung to the
quick.
II know just how unmaidenly you
consider me, Mr.. Person." / said, ris-
ing haughtily; "but You might have
spared your finer perceptions this rude
shock had you not stolen noiselessly
upon me here" Rather arrogant, was
/ not, Cecil?
| He paled visibly beneath my scornful
words, but only answered in quiet
| tone, Il had no all-engrossing thought
to cause me to forget that this was the
hour we have usually devoted to French.
Miss Beaumont. Pardon me that re-
membered when you did not"
Truly / had forgotten the French
lesson quite, and stood dumb and con-
victed, while he put his French book
on the shelf, saying, "There will be no
| further need for me to read Corinne at
present, since have her prototype al
ways before me-" and then he left the
room.
He was gone to the city for three
days after that, and came back looking
worn and pale, and with an air of de-
preston about him.
Bess and were wandering aimlessly
around that afternoon, for Miss Crane
and Miss Pierson were off on shopping
expedition; Jack and Major Pierson
away, and we were lonely. The clank
of boat-chain drew our attention as
we strolled near the lake, and we found
Mr.. Pierson just starting for row.
"Ohl take us too, Brewer Frank"
cried Bessie.
He started at the sound of her voice,
but quietly turned and set her in the
! boat, saying. "Of course Pll take you,
little one."
"Miss Twixie, too You mustn't for
Diet Miss Twixie."
"I'll hardly do that" he murmuped,
as he took my reluctant hand, for
nothing but fear OF a scene with Bessie
induced me to accept.
We were very quiet after our start.
1 had never known Mr.. Pierson to be
so distracted; but as we passed clump
e ~. IL
lilies the lilies! Do, Miss Twixie, get
me some"
1 leaned eagerly over the side to
grasp one as We shot by, but it was too
far, and l failed.
Let me turn the boat among them,"
said Mr.. Pierson; "it is rather danger
| Gus to dip the side SO much"
An evil spirit took possession of me
at these words, and, without replying,
/ made another grasp at the coveted
lily. The boat gave sudden lurch,
| and little Bess and i were thrown out
/ into the water.
caught the little one as we sank,
and, when we rose again, held her aloft
with all the energy of desperation.
| She was taken from me, and in short
tAiiiO AOtV ny oOAA SiooPCu oho Soh
veyed to the boat.
My poor little Bessie lay there
across q seat, white-faced and silent,
and, with an agoDized pang, realized
to what my willfulness had brought me.
Bitter tears filled my eyes as / took
the little darling in my arms, and when
/ noticed the deep pallor that had set
tied on her brothers brow, 1 implorod
him in penitent accents to forgive me.
and asked tearfully why he had rescued
one so undeserving at the risk of his
own life.
"What would that life" he began
impetuously, and then compressed his
lips as though no other word should
pass them.
Little Bess was very sick Chat night
with Group, and we watched with her
ceaselessly bill daybreak. Once AS /
held her in my arms / CHANGED to raise
my eyes, and it was to find her brother
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