The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-04-23

Frank" she said, ~and tina. was why
| you came back looking 81 pale and
worn? Forgive me, cousin, that have
gained your secret" And tllen, little
later. Mr.. Persons deeper tones:
@She is too artless TO conceal her
preference for him. and 1 feel more
keenly than can tell the power my
rival yields"
aYour rival, Frank" with an incredu-
lous laugh; show could such man
rival your"
did not catch the answer, but
moment later. as they came again
beneath my window, heard him quote
with hooking laugh:
What care how fair she be,
II she be not fair for meY"
Il do care, though" he added, with a
sigh, struggle against it as / may" And
then then voices died away, and was
left with as keen pain at my heart as
had ever known. / did not know
was capable of such depths of compass
sion, but what else could such feeling
be?
/ needed but the few words had
heard to bring the whole story before
4
stolen this proud mans heart for Jest,
the plaything Of an hour, and now he
was suffering from her vain caprice.
scorned her for preferring another,
and doubly scorned the man who stood
as Mr. Persons rival.
had right so to feel, Cecil, for
had he not saved my life But to what
purpose was it saved? / often ask.
Heaven knows place no value ON it
now.
l long for something all the while.
1t must be you, Cecil, and as have
just caught the CLEAN of the Majors
cigar in the arbor, / shall leave you q
moment, and run down to prefer to him
request that has been trembling on
my lips for days.
LATER.-He was sitting alone as I en-
tered, and, throwing myself on the seat
beside him, caught his hand in mine.
major Person. cried impetuously,
"if / ask you something very near my
heart, you will not refuse, will you ?"
A sudden, fond movement, by which
was drawn close to his side, gave me
encouragementto proceed, as laid my
head upon his shoulder. Il have q
very dear friend in BellevIew. Can you
not spare me to make her visit ?"
mo, Beatrix," after a moment came
the reply; do not expect such sacri-
fee from me, for cannot give you up"
and Frank Pierson started impulsively
from my side to the door, where he
stood In the shimmering moonlight.
Startled, for moment, out of all
composure, 1 stood motionless, and
then l said, proudly:
"You have taken an unfair advantage
of me, Mr.. Pierson. Be kind enough
to let me pass"
Forgive me, Beatrix," he cried, pas
sionately, as he put out OBTAINING
hand. "Do not leave me, 1 beg. 1
have been for days the prey to harass-
ing fear; tonight am determined to
be relieved from its suspense, no mat
ter how bitter the certainty may be-"
"Tell me truly" lowering his voice
to an intense whisper, "do you really
care for Charlie Keeldar?"
For q moment l was silent, and then
1 answered mockingly, for his words
had brought glad enlightenment to
my heart:
"Yes, Mr.. Pierson; / do really care
| for Mr.. Keeldar. / consider him one
of the most entertaining gentlemen
have ever met"
He turned his face away, and could
see the pain and pallor even in the
pallid moonlight.
"And that is not the highest light in
which you regard him either, Beatrix,"
he answered, with a sigh.
Indeed it is, / said, gayly, adding,
in q low tone, "'Tis some one else whom
1 regard in a brighter and better
light"
"Some one else?" YEARLY. "Ah,
WELL what does it matter, since he is
still my rival?"
"He is not your rival" said, with
downcast eyes.
"He is, Beatrix, if he loves you,"
was the quiet reply.
~He loves me-" L said, in an exultant
tone; still he is not your rival"
"Beatrix, you torture me; tell me, L
beg, what do you mean!"
Again 1 was for moment silent, then
at last venturing to raise my eyes, L
found his lit with so rare q brilliancy.
and bent so earnestly upon me that /
knew my secret was mine no longer,
and that should have to yield at last
Darling" he cried, as he drew
me toward him, Il understand. Your
sweet eyes say He is not your rival
while my own heart whispers, He loves
her very truly"
We were happy, Cecil, in proportion
to the jealousy and suspense we both
had experienced. How could we have
been so blind? And gained my point
| at last. Ce. dear. for in two weeks I am
TO be with you for brief visit, and then
1 will tell you a thousand things this
feeble medium, my pen, refuses to con-
vey. Good-by, my Cecil, until then.
Your fond and happy TRIxIE.
|
RutIer. or South Carolina, and EdmunCs.