The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-08-06

row. OOOu-Dy. Oue uhv hopo 10
meet you again!"
But in all the dreary years that fol-
lowed had heard no word from him.
"You remember him, of course" con-
tinued my handsome cousin; "he used
to be at the Hall great deal in your
fathers time. Well, we met him last
night. He's been here a week; and he's
a millionaire, Bell. You know old
Carruthers, of Carruthers Place? Well,
he is dead, and the Captain inherits the
fortune, you see. So don't forget the
heliotrope. / know it is not becoming
purple suits my creole complexion
least-but / remember what fancy
Carruthers always had for heliotrope,
and he's worth pleasing, you know"
Aunt Edmonton laughed as she rose
and shook out her lace tiounces.
"Wear the heliotrope by all means (;
but you need not feel bit anxious.
You secured the Captain and his for
tune last night; that rose silk and the
diamonds did the business. l never
saw q man more infatuated. Well, he's
a good match. I've not word to say
against it; no better family than he
comes of, and Carruthers Place is a
grand old home. All, there is his car
riage below now; I'll go down until you
are ready. Do make haste, Bell. And /
wish you would be obliging enough to
do up Rites hair this evening"; you are
so much more skilful than Felice. And
look over her jewels, please; 1 think
dress perfectly"
/ hurried down to the greenhouse.
Heartache was no new sensation, but
somehow my pain seemed intolerable
as l made my way down the dim aisle,
the gorgeous tropical blossoms sitting
me with their rank odors.
/ forgot Rites flowers, forgot her
waiting toilet, forgot everything but
my own suffering. An aloe tree in full
blossom, standing alone like some
weird necromancer, caught my eye, and
/ sank down at its roots, and burst into
tears. 1 seemed to see papa's grave,
covered with yellow autumn leaves. l
heard the wash of the waves, the MUIR
muir of the pine trees. The hustle of
the gaslit streets drove me to frenzy.
"This life is killing me; must go
home to the old hall and papa's grave. +"
A hand touched my arm as the words
broke from my lips.
Il beg your pardon, madam; you
seem in distress. Can l help-good
heaven, Bell is it your"
captain Carruthers!"
/ leaped to my feet, and we stood
face to face. He was bronZed and
bearded, but the frank, kind eyes were
unchanged. A wild impulse seized me
to clasp his hands and tell him how
lonely and friendless / was; but wom-
ans pride, stronger even than her love,
stifed the desire at it's very birth. 1
bowed coldly.
"Why, Bell, you haven't changed
only you look wan and sad. 1 am SO
glad to meet you. have written again
and again, until i fancied you were dead.
How is it that i find you In Paris ?"
"No matter; 1 bid you good evening,
Captain Carruthers."
The glad, kind, handsome eyes wild
ened with wonder as / darted away.
Dear me, Bell. thought you'd never
come. l didn't like to keep Carruthers
waiting. Gracious goodness! where
are the howers?"
Il didn't get Them, and can't dress
you, Marguerite. I am going to my
room"
"Why, what is the matter? Are you
ill?"
did not pause to answer. At noon
on the following day my aunt sum-
moned me to her presence.
| - - oil
want to talk to you. You met Captain
Carruthers in the greenhouse last
ni9ht?"
"Yes, by accident.
Aunt Edmonton toyed with the tas-
sells of her morning robe, and for the
first time, to my knowledge, showed
signs of embarrassment.
"By accident, of course. / didn't
suppose you mistook my meaning, my
dear. He's a fine, handsome fellow,
and he and Rite are well matched
don't you think so? Well, my dear,
his coming changes our plans in a
measure. We may remain here for the
winter; and your health seems to be
failing, and you don't like Paris, Bell,
and thought perhaps"
| LOU tnOuBuJ you WOulu Senu me
home, Aunt Edmonton. Pray do; ]
meant to ask permission to go this very
day-I'm dreadfully homesick."
She laughed genially, and, crossing
the room, kissed me with more kind
ness than she had ever shown.
"Then you shall have permission, my
dear. Mrs. Montague, en- old friend
of mine, leaves Paris tonight, and you
shall go under her charge"
l went, leaving giddy Paris behind
me with feeling of relief.
But when i reached the old home
how desolate it was. Winter came, ano
the white snow filled the hollows anG
crowned the hills. Letters from Aus
Edmonton informed me that they wer,
in Rome, with Captain Carruthers al
escort, and limited at great wedding
when spring came. Did care? Wha
was Captain Carruthers to me? Nj,
fathers friend, and 1 must always re
gard him with gratitude; and Mar
guerite would make him stately, beau
tiful bride. wished them much Joy
Yet through all the winter days an,
nights my heartache never ceased o
abated.
Spring came, and the skies grew sof
and tender. The SHOWS melted. leayin,