The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-06-11
swe are to bs married at the end of

we are 10 do married at the end o
one year."
MY silence seemed to astonish Muriel
and Hugh said wonderingly:
"And now that it is settled, explain
your meaning, Muriel. when you sale
that Myrtle had made arrangements I,
take in the swindlers.'"
II will" she replied. with more ami
nation than usual. "You know she ha
been taking pictures at the morgue
Well, she was not satisfied with that
she has actually sent in lower terms
than Barton, who has been taking tn,
rogues' pictures at the police court, anC
she has undermined him. At any rate
they have been here with half dozer
burglars and ono or two murderers anc
assault and batterers, and we may ex
pect them at any time with more"
"A wise man is the Sheriff." SAID
Hugh, laughing. Myrtle don't mean
to get left"
ut pays well, 1 replied, pleased with
Hugh's approval. But it is not very
easy work. Harter, the burglar, sprane
out of the chair, irons and all, in order
to spoil his picture yesterday, and LET
fingwell, the wife-beater, posed as care.
fully as any belle could do, but at the
critical moment, he made the fearfulesi
grimace possible to man. Not one OF
them likes to have has picture taken
they will spoil it if they can"
There is some one coming up the
stairs, said Hugh, rising with Muriel,
and following me into the studio.
The door opened, and two blue-coat-
ed policemen entered, escorting as
handsome a man as ever beheld.
Even Muriel lost her unconcerned air as
her artistic eye took in the tall, we'll
knit figure, the dark, brilliant eyes, the
richly bronzed complexion, and the
half-amused smile around the perfect
mouth.
Miss Maxton, we've brought Black
Eric, the forger and counterfeiter, to
have his picture taken. We've hunted
a spell for him, but we've got him at
last"
you are mistaken in my name, gen.
tlemen. 1 am Ira Irving, and my home
is in San Francisco, as shall soon be
able to prove. You may take my photo
if it is any qualification to these Off
GERS
The guardians of the public peace
smiled significantly, and Muriel said,
in an aside to Hugh:
What a pity. Isn't he perfectly
lovely?"
"He isn't guilty. 1 exclaimed, turn
ing sharply upon Murlel.
was startled at my own act II soon
as the words had escaped me. One of
the men said, quietly:
Every criminal declares his inno-
cence, Mss Maxton. This man d one
of the most daring and dangerous char
acters with whom we have to DEAL
/ attended strictly to business after
that, working as rapidly as the stase OF
my nerves would allow
The prisoner sat as sheerfullv as if
the picture was taken for ladies' al
bum, exposing his featares to the full.
light In a manner very unusual to CHM
mails.
81 have done all that L can toward the
picture to-day" L said when L had fin
lshed. :
The officers arose to- remove their
man. He turned to me and said. earn
estlys
Miss Maxton, hope soon to free ny
self from this charge, and in your eyes,
and that of all the world, appear rs J.,
am in reality, an honest man. VIII IN I
can do so. you will see me again.
bowed without speaking, ana the
three departed.
There, Myrtle, YOU will nave tolook
ont or YOU will lose year place. III the
Sheriff finds you are falling in love
with his prisoners, he will go back to
Barton" exclaimed Muriel, laughing.
/ bit my lip, and 1 knew l changed
color, and Hugh wisely chsngsd the
subject.
al say, Muriel, which do you consider
your very best picture? I'm going to-
get it framed and put 1t on exhibition
for you.
They began looking over her assOrt-
ment of pictures, and BLACK Eric was
forgotten, by them at least. A young
lady came in who wished her cabinets
taken, and then Hugh claimed my at
tention.
"Now, Myrtle, choose the one you
like best from among your fathers
pictures" he said, "and ! will take that
also. / have an idea that / can do
something with them"
Castles in the air." replied, as l
selected an ancient Fortress on the
Rhine" "How many poor papa builded
to see them topple and fall. All people
want nowadays is work, and that upon
some pressing demand of the day. i
would sell the whole of these paintings
for ten dollars if papa had not painted
them"
"What dreadful girl you are, }" sighed
Muriel. "She would crush the last bii
Of romance from life."
Hugh looked at me compassiorately
Myrtle, you know that i wonld lif
this burden from your shoulders gladly
and to-day, if you would allow it. My
parents would soon learn TO love Mu
riel, and our home would beyours unit
YOU found one of your own
"Thank you,' 1 replied ungratefully
"Muriel can go where she is not want
ed, if she likes, but do not intend Il
add myself to the list of husband-hunt
ers with which society is laden
"we will wait year, said Muriel
Il do not wish to leave Myrtle now
filed as she is with this desperate feel
ing of independence. may pain
something in that time which will b