The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-12-24

that he might be at home next Christmas,
but il seems he has altered his plans, and is
coming sooner"
ais he married." asked Edith.
"No, he is an old bachelor"
During the remainder of the walk up TO
the house, in which Albert accompanied
her, Edith was silent and thoughtful, SO
much so that Albert inquired If she were
not feeling we'll.
Perfectly" she answered II am only a
little tired from the long walk have taken"
"We will have Miss Peeriam give us
lunch, and, after you are rested, will you
play one of those new pieces for me?"
Edith assented, and they went into the
house. At the foot of the great staircase
they met young girl, perhaps few years
Edith's Junior, who blushed deeply as she
saw them. This was Agnes Draper, who
had once been Albert's playmate, and, until
Miss Norton's arrival, the only young woman
with whom he was ever known to stop and
| converse. He now greeted her rather in
differently, while his companion beamed
upon her with the utmost cordiality.
Her appearance formed a striking con-
trast to that of the city girl. She was
plainly dressed in a dark print, with coarse
shoes and a brown straw hat. Edith wore
dainty lawn, edged with lace and looped
up with ribbon bows. Yet Mr.. Draper was
a wealthy farmer who could we'll afford to
deck his daughter with "gew-gaws, as he
called them, while Mr.. Norton struggled
hard to maintain a large family on his
clerks salary of five hundred year.
Agnes had also come on some errand
connected with Miss Peeriam's department,
and remained but few moments.
Albert and Edith were soon seated before
the ancient pianoforte, where she was play
fully instructing him in the first principles
of music, course of study which he occa-
sionally varied by discussing his plans for
the future.
They had already decided that their mar
riage should take place as soon as possible
after he had attained his twenty first birth
day. For the present, the whole matter
was to be kept a secret. His guardian,
Lawyer Holden, had arranged for him to
spend the next six months mt business
college, there to supplement what knowl-
edge he had acquired under the tuition of
the schoolmaster.
after that. !" he said to Edith, II shall
be my own master, and can manage affairs
to suit myself"
"And the first use you will make of your
freedom will be TO leave home and see
something of the world"
Not unless you are with me-" said Al
bert, putting his arm around her waist
She smiled. self satisfied smile, and
professed her intention of departing for the
village. He accompanied her, and SO busily
were they engaged in conversation that they
had neared her aunt's house and were OBJ
served by that lady herself before he turned
to retrace his footsteps.
Edith was scarcely seated in the little
room which served as shop and parlor
when her aunt began. Seems TO me young
Rodbrook is getting wonderfully attentive
to YOU. What does ii all mean?"
Edith considered "A moment, then thought
best to make a confdante of her aunt.
"He has asked me to marry him." she re-
piled, somewhat proudly.
well, we'll, said her relative, evidently
surprised. "you are both rather young to
think of getting married, but he may be
rich man some day"
MAY be. :" repeated Edith, with heightened
color. doesn't the farm, or part of it, be-
long 20 him."
Bless your heart, no. His grandfather
made will leaving it all to Albert's uncle,
that's travelling in some heathenish country,
and if he dies without any children, it goes
to the grandson"
"How unjust, said Edith, "to cut his
oldest sons child off in that way"
II suppose he didn't want the farm di-
vided. and it's pretty certain James will
never marry. Besides, he always said that
he believed in young mans starting out
for himself. Albert gets an allowance of
three hundred every year until he's twenty
one. Then hear he is going to study for
book keeper or cashier"
Three hundred year, and that to cease
at the end of six months. How suddenly
had all of Edith's air-castles fallen 10 the
ground. Instead of owning this vast es-
tate, her lover was a poor boy, hardly better
off in this worlds goods than herself.
She was too proud, however, to allow
Mrs. Hargrave to witness her chagrin, and
merely requesting the latter not to mention
her engagement, she went to her room.
Then she thought over the matter long
and earnestly. IL had been a great disap-
pointment to learn how Albert's pecuniary
affairs stood; but, then, there was posi-
bility of his some day being wealthy man,
that is if another plan which had half
shaped itself i'll her mind, while she fire.
quently glanced in the mirror opposite, did
not succeed.
Her recent conquest had increased the
vanity natural to her disposition, and she
scarcely doubted her ability to charm any
lord of creation she might encounter.
She wound up her meditations by resolv-
my I'D tIedI Adult, IOE tue pIcScuI ~ ledSl,
as if these disagrccablc tidings had never
reached her ears.
There was only one moro meeting of the
Youthful lovers before Albert was obliged
to depart for distant city. Then he in
formed Edith that his uncle had arrived,
and so far had been very generous to him.
Il should like to have you see him" he
whispered, rs they stood on the little porch
in front of Mrs. Hargrave's residence, bid
ding each other farewell; "but you leave for
home so soon l suppose it will be impossi-
bic this summer. He has n great many le-
gal matters to look after, and spends nearly
every day in the city"
Edith thought differently, but she
changed the subject, and inquired if he
would not spend Christmas at Elmdale.
Il hardly think so. Mr.. Holden is anX-
ious for me to devote every minute 20 my
studies. and / should lose nearly week by
coming home; but / will write often, and
You know how eagerly l shall look for your
letters"
There was much more said in n tender
confidential undertone, many vows of con-
stancy exchanged, and then Albert went ON
his way, cheered by the thought that the
! girl he loved was interested In his welfare
and cared for his success in the new path
he was about TO pursue.
Mrs. Hargrave was not little surprised
when Edith announced her intention of
spending another fortnight In Elmdale; but
| tho OWL xvac livalv on1 f.nuanauionabip ba-