The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-04-30

the reply, bright blush suffusing the
cheek of the timid speaker.
Frank Greedy, from his unenviable
position, declared, mentally, that he
had never seen being half so lovely,
seven in his idealistio Dreams" as the
little golden-haire blue-eyed fairy
named ALA Caswell.
"Oh, fiel COZ! You should run and
hide your face for shame, and this leap
year!" exclaimed bright, merry Alice
Caswell, Alias own cousin on her
fathers side of the family.
II did not think that you were so
cowardly, DEAR" said Grace Dalrymple,
sweetly. @Here have we all three Sc
lected our cavaliers, while you, little
goose. are non est Poor, timid dar-
ling!"
This was more than the sensitive
girl could endure quietly, and after be-
slowing fiery glance of Indignation
upon the last speaker she responded,
impulsively:
Il am not certain that am compelled
to select any one, and as for being cow
ardly, / had much rather be called that
than too forward. But forgive me.
dear" she suddenly exclaimed, noting
by chance the expression of wounded
pride and shocked surprise upon her
| friends face. Il did not mean to wound
you by my houghtless words; have
been calculating all the time to choose
some one of my gentlemen friends, but
am so stupid that I really cannot make
up my mind as to whom it shall be.
And then, you know, If should meet
with a refusal should die of shame 4
know 1 should. Please help me, girls.
Tears now actually shone in the can
did, soulful eye of the pretty blonde,
while any ill-will felt toward her on &C
count of those few hasty words van
ished from the hearts of her three
friends like magic.
Indeed. we will try to help you,"
chorused the three, eagerly.
"The first step taken, then, should
be to lead her into the secret of the
names of our escorts, / think" said
Grace Dalrymple, brightly.
We'll, mine," began Cora Beaufort,
the dashing brunette and first speaker,
@is Charlie st. Maur. He is the only
one asked" she added, conceitedly.
Il was not obliged to invite but
once, either" said Alice Caswell, lit
tie defantly. And the one l selected
was Maurice White"
"And now / presume you are all suf-
fering the natural curiosity inherited
from Mother Eve to learn whom L have
taken pity upon?" questioned Grace
Dalrymple, mischievously.
"Listen, now; your senses should be
sharpened ere this, she said, as she
whispered o name so low that the
eager listener at the keyhole merely
caught the last syllable of the first
name.
But, he felt assured of whom it was
by the next remark, uttered by Alice
Caswell.
"What, invite him when his intimate
friend-his greatest chum-is allowed
to remain in his dusty Office, to count
all of the spider-webs, and pore over
Blackstone and Coke? oh, how could
you, girlsl" she said, reprovingly.
"How did we know?" they all three
responded.
ooh. / have it?" exclaimed Cora
Beaufort, cooking her little head on
one side like robin, and holding up
one forefnger to enjoin silence. "Thus
it is, then! Why cannot ALA ask Mr..
Greedy for her cavalier, / should like
to know?"
why. indeed" was the general re-
Spouse.
But, the young lady in question was
mute.
"Why don't you thank us for helping
you in your selection, Alla?" asked
Grace, with becoming pout of her
cherry lips.
II scarcely think 1 dare!" was the
blushing answer.
"She expects us to pop the question
for her, girls" exclaimed Alice, with
merry little laugh.
"Oh, goodness me! He would Jump
completely out of his-his-office win
dow, and make straight for the river"
said Cora Beaufort, arising to her feet
and executing q charming little pirou-
cite upon one daintily buttoned boot.
Il will ask him myself, thank you,"
responded ALA Caswell, drawing her
little figure up Indignantly.
"Good gracious, ALA Caswell What
ever can you mean? You will pop the
question yourself. did you say? 1 will
wager you a new hat that you dare
not"
"You are too bad, girls" exclaimed
ALA, beginning to cry with vexation.
"Oh, ALA, if you only would I" ex-
claimed Grace and Alice in concert.
"Yes, come! Do promise that you
will, and we will never tell that it was
you. You can disguise your voice
effectually, and as for the rest, why
you will be masked, you know" said
Cora, pleadingly.
Fearing ridicule from her friends if
she refused, and perceiving no real
harm in connection with it, she finally
consented to perform the most foolish
act in her life, as she declared to her
self afterward.
ooh, you dear darling, your
"Iou blessed lambp
"Oh, ALA you are just too sw-"
"What was that?" exclaimed all, in
startled whisper. as distinct noise of
some kind was heard to proceed from
the wall in their rear.
The unlucky prisoner, in his alright
at the prospect of such a dread catas-