The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-01-08

when Fannie found heruelf installed -
q member OF the Arlington household.
The weeks tnirly Jew. She spent only
| the mornings at her studio; Clemence
always had something TO occupy after
noon and evening.
| Elliot Lindsay was frequent visitor.
Ere long Miss kae was forced to admit
he appeared Interested in her.
Clemence was jubilant at the pros
pect of success.
81 don't see how he could help fall
ing in love with YOU" she sid. DO
you know. Fannie Rae, that you are o
very beautiful girl? You have deli
cate, spirituelle, uncommon sort OF
beauty. You have that tender, timid
look in your blue eyes. Your hair is
magnificent. And everything
is sure to come right. But what makes
you sigh?"
did 1 sigh?" asked Fannie, looking
plainly lugubrious. She could not
bring herself to confess the uneasiness
which was slowly developing into heart
ache.
She was beginning to realize her feel
ings toward Elliot Lindsey; to enter
tain the conviction that she could never
love him. Respect, esteem, these were
all; she liked him very much; she
could not love him. And as the weeks
passed she knew that he had come to
care for her in a way which could have
but one ending.
She began to wonder what she should
say to him. Surprising he should ask
her to become his wife? Could she
consent? She shivered at the thought.
Suppose he asked her if she loved him
She must speak the truth. Then,
would he be content? Would she be
happy, or wretched for all her life I?
She grew sick and feverish with this
internal conflict.
But Clemence was overjoyed at the
approaching result of her labors.
|
| Late one afternoon in February, Miss
Arlington's boudoir seemed cozy place.
The freight threw rosy tint upon the
violet hangings of the room. A strip
of orange sunset was visible through
the purple dusk, where the window
curtains fell as yet apart.
Fannie was watching this with SYM
4 DdbutJlC eyes, IOthulk bAOWll W
and fro in a deep rocking-chair. Glenn
ence was curled up on q white rug
before the CRATE. She glanced up oc-
casionally at golden clock, which
swung tipsily from side to side upon
the mantel.
II fancied"-she was beginning, when
a servant brought up Mr.. Elliot Lind
sey's card, "for Miss Rae"
As the door closed upon the man,
Clemence sprang up with low. triumph
ant note.
"He has asked for you! You under
stand?"
Miss Rae remained seated. She spoke
feebly, as if dazed.
"Clemence, II daren't go down. l
am-afraid."
Afraid? Nonsense! Be braye. You
know what he has to say. There is no
one would rather see you marry. He
will be so good to you"
"But II don't love him. 1 like
him-but / can't-love himw She had
risen, and was moving toward the
door. Her voice was desperate, and her
hands twisted pitifully before her. Il
know you're been very kind, Clemence,
giving me dresses and things to wear
you've done it all for the best. I've
I've tried hard to care for him. And
it's such great temptationl"
What do you mean to do?" asked
Gemence, excitedly.
Il mean to be honest, and tell him
FILTH do my best-but I-can't love
him."
"Fannie!" Clemence had sprung
before her. passionate and imperious.
"You won't tell him that. You mustn't.
you shan't! / will not allow you to
spoil everything!"
"Spoil everything?" Fannie repeated,
laughing historically. Let me go,
Clmence. Perhaps-I don't know. AT
least he has not spoken yet"
Clemence stepped aside.
Fannie, for heavens sake, don't
throw away this chance. Don't be
foolish-refect how much it all
meansl"
The slim. little black-robed figure
passed slowly from the room.
"You mustn't, you shan'tw Glenn
ence's words still rang in the girls ears.
Don't throw away this chance. Re-
feet how much it meansl"
Surely Clemence had right to say
these things, Clemence had done SO
much for her in the past three months.
Clemence had longed to secure her a
happy future. Clemence would be sc
disappointed! Instead of all that
Clemence had desired for her, she
would go back to the troubles of the
past-the gloom of boarding house,
the slender income from her pupils and
what few orders she could obtain. She
might fall i'll, become destitute; and
here, here was sure escape. Oh, it was
great temptation, great temptation
She was busy with conflicting thoughts.
She CROPPED her way down to the hall,
and entered the drawing-room.
Il asked for you," he said, with gen.
tie emphasis, when they had exchanged
greetings. Il think you must know
why 1 asked for you" She
could only look at him while he
spoke. They were sitting side by side
upon sofa, yet she felt rs if she mus
shrink from him. Especially i
she meant to-deceive him.
She could hear other sounds than hi
low voice. She could hear the words