The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-11-05

knew now that all the while she had bceu
looking ahead to some possibility like tho
present one, when the diverging paths
would meet.
1t was reception night at the house OF .
prominent Official. Everybody would be
there--the everybody or political and fash
ioasble society. at Ieast-and she would go
with the hope OF meeting Robert Moore.
She made her toilet with special regard to
his taste In such matters rs she remembered
1t. He haa told her that no other flower be-
came her so well rs scarlet carnations
Therefore. she would wear no other flower
tonight. She stood before the glass and won
dered II no would lind that the years had
changed her much. The first flush OF
womanhoods beauty had disappeared, but
there was beauty there stu CO a cold.
stately kind, which the thoaght OF meeting
her old lover again softened wonderfully.
81 have not looked so we'll for long
time," she said, as she shook out the rich
folds of her dress, and adjusted the scarlet
flowers In her hair and mt her throat. John
Marshs diamonds flashed on her hands, but
their glitter did not have the fascination for
her now that they had possessed i've years
ago.
She stood among the throng in tho par
lors, waiting and Watching with a
color In her cheeks that rivaled
the carnations she wore. Her heart
beat fast with strangely pleasant excite
ment. She was fascinated by the thong hit
that no was somewhere near her. She
seemed TO feel his presence. Time had
strengthened her love for him, she thought
with a smile ut the brilliant woman the
mirror reflected as she passed 1t.
A little later she saw Robert Moore come
In. There was woman on his arm, sweet
faced, bappyeyed woman with pure valley
lilies nesting among their own green leaves
on her shining yellow hair and the lace
upon her breast. She looked as fair. as
pure, the flowers she wore. Catherine
Marsh started and the color died out of her
face. Could IL be that he had forgotten her
and given his love to another? A feeling of
hatred TOWARD the woman on his arm took
possession of her. What right had she-had
any one-to come between theml Had he
not loved her years aQol Did she not love
him now? The wealth she had cold herself
for she was ready TO lay at his feet, and cry,
"Take I'll Ii parted us once. but now II
shall be ours-yours and mine-and love
shall be ours, too +"
- see that Senator Moore has arrived, 4"
she said to a friend. "Who is that woman
with him? His wife2"
The last two words cost her n great effort
They seemed to stab her.
~ never heard of his having n wife," was
the reply. " But, now that come TO think
of IL, did hear some one say that his cousin
and her mother were 10 live with him this
winter. This is probably the cousin. Very
sweet isn't she? Quite like Madonna, with
that yellow hair and those blue eyes"
Catherine Marsh gave a sigh of relief. He
had told her OF a cousin who had always
been like sister 10 him. This was that
cousin, without doubt
She watched him as he moved among the
crowd. He had changed. much in the five
years that had passed since she last saw him.
His face had stronger look in IL. 1t told
OF energy OF purpose and high aims. HIS
eyes had grave thoughtfulness in them,
ming IN IT'S beauty-a smile that woman
mig hit have envied, for it lighted up his face
like sunshine.
Watching MIN, the woman's heart forgot
the intervening years and took up the old,
sweet dream of love where IL had been
broken off by the choice she made.
BY and by they met.
She held out her hand in eager welcome.
saying:
s'You have not forgotten me, have your"
He could not mistake the look on her face
for anything but pleasure.
s'No | do not forget faces easily" he said,
as their hands met. But he said il gravely.
There was not the pleasure in his voice she
had hoped TO hear.
II am so glad to meet you again." she said.
"Let me congratulate you on your brilliant
success
THANK you" he answered. AT have
worked hard, and not all in vain, and think
l have earned my success. L prefer TO think
tDat rather tnon tndt III WAS upon
'How time has changed us since-since we
met last" she said, with little flush that
was partly shame, partly embarrassment,
rising to her cheek. Something in his grave,
steady glance disconnected her.
Five years could not go by without maxi
ing changes of some sort i'm us, he answered,
as they passed into the conservatory. Your
husband is dead, l Think
"Yes," she answered, 'he died a year ago. -
They sat down under an acacia, and talk
ed OF ordinary things at first. He did not
seem inclined TO venture on the sub ect
about which her thoughts were busy. per
haps," she thought, "he is too proud TO talk
of the old days until l acknowledge that l
was wronT."
"Robert," she said, suddenly-'I may call
you that may / not, for the sake of our old
friendship? i want to tell you that made a
great mistake when-when / married John
Marsh. / was to blame Cor all that both of
us suffered in consequence of the choice
made. Will you forgive me?''
II forgave you long ago" he said, gravely.
''Oh. that was so good, so kind or you, >"
she said. II thought, or tried to make my
self think, that was doing what was for the
best. But 1 found out what a mistake /
made when IL was too late. III IL was all TO
do over again, Robert, would make diff
ferent choice"
Her face was full of strongly appealing
look. She was so much i'm earnest that she
forgot she was speaking unwomanly words.
Ii was her heart crying out for the happiness
IL had starved for so long.
"Do not say anything MORE" he said, ris-
ing; you might say something you would
regret. The woman loved i'm the old days
is dead. That woman died when found out
how you had deceived me. Perhaps l shall
always keep a little tender memory in my
heart for the woman loved, who was true
but for the woman who bore her name after
she died have only pity"
Catherine Marsh's face grew white as 1t
will be when she is dead. She tried to speak,
but no words came.
IL am afraid that / came near doubling
the truth aud sincerity of all women for
awhile after / found out how one woman
had deceived me-" he said, "but / have
found out that there are true women in the
world. and this is one or them"
Catherine Marsh looked up. The sweet
faced woman was standing at his side with
her hand I'm his.
''Ths is my wife, he said. softly. 'Alice,
this Is Mrs. Marsh. whom j knew years ago
VIXEN she was Miss War field. / have told
you about our friendship and its sudden
death"
Then he bent and kissed the face OF the
woman at his side. That was the cruelest
stab of all for Catherine Marsh. though he
did IL without thought of her. She shut
her lips xhtly togetht TO keep hack a cry
OF pam. Then she turned and walked away.
At the door she paused as the first woman
might when the gate of Eden was closing
behind her, and gave one last look hack
al In elr Eu,r rar Ap