The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-11-18
MORA'S STORY.
BY CLIO STANLEY.

The melancholy days of which poets
sing had come to earth, and in truth they
were the saddest of the year.
All that summer the world had seemed
sunny place, made for love and romance
One day after another had been ushered in
like sweet guest, sure of approval; and
the nights closing over them had made
them beautiful memories.
"Who could be anything but happy?'
had asked myself the question again and
again now / laughed bitterly at the
thought of any lasting happiness coming
to me.
had spent three months at this old farm
house among the mountains, gaining
strength with every day, until, when L
looked at my own face III the glass, it
seemed like new face.
Years ago had been called lovely Nora,
but since | had been poor, and worked for
my living, the roses had faded IN my
cheeks. the light had died in my once lau il
ing eyes, and loneliness had chased away
the smiles.
But this summer had found new friends,
and all the world had hlossomed again.
l remember SO we'll that day on the hill
side, when, tired with long ramble, /
had thrown myself down on grassy
ledge, and sat looking off over the quiet
valley, thinking that | was glad TO have
nealtn ana strength again, even I'd hpenu
il in downright hard work.
Suddenly there came from out the shadow
of the great oaks the figure of a man.
Brown and travel stained, yet With frank,
honest expression that won him friend at
once.
at is five years, and am here" he said,
grayely, coming mp to me and holding out
both his hands.
Five years?r l said, locking up with
curiosity. II don't think l could forget n
friend in that time. | am quite sure we
are strangers"
His face crimsoned ard a sterner look
came over it.
"Dd not promise you l would come
with or without fortune? We shall have
y wait for the fortune, but we surely are
the best friends, Clara?'
"You have made a mistake" l stam-
mered, IL am not Clara, but Nora"
He looked amazed. knew was look
ing like a little goose!
eff it was Clara Reed you expected to see,
others have made the same mistake; they
Say look as she did five years ago; she is
really my cousin, you know, only
"Only WHAT"
1t was humiliating, but il must be said.
only our uncle left all the money to
Clara, when he died, AMI ire have not
been the best friends" And once more l
turned away.
But gently he laid a OBTAINING hand on
my arm.
but | have often heard your uncle call you
That. But | thought you were the heireSs."
81 thought SO, too" / faltered; "but
Clara came-and saw and conquered" And
tried to smile.
"And you were left out in the cold?
at did seem pretty cold when those |
had thought my friends dropped off one
by one, but l have found better ones since,
and ! am quite happy"
Once more | turned away.
But he fastened along the little path that
was hardly wide enough for two, aud, TAX
ing my basket, said:
"If you are Clara's cousin we must be
friends at least Your uncle once asked
me to his house to meet you, so you will
not refuse my friendship now?"
"Your friendship? Oh. mol I have not
so many friends that can refuse one"
So he carried my basket, and began to
tell me the story of his travels as we went
back TO the old farm house.
left him at the door and ran MP to my
room t. dress for tea.
That evening heard marvellous stories
of adventure. and felt almost as If myself
had been halfway round the world.
The next morning Clara came, and
Robert Hervey was quite the devoted lover
she expected
Still there were times when we were all
together in the little world of cool green
shadows on the mountain-sde, and l could
listen to he pleasant stories he told of far
off lands and people. forgetting time and
place, until Clara would say:
81 never could go iuto raptures over
things, so don't expect it, Robert! / really
don't see how Nora manages to get up so
much enthusiasm.
And then / would blush guilty aud 90
away, because | knew in my own heart
that it was his voice and kind glance that
made the stories so charming.
One day when Clara had been teasing
me, and had driven me almost to tears.
she followed me to my ROOM and threw
herself down in the easiest chair.
$50 You really think he is nice, Nora?
What would you give TO be in my placer
"Clara," said Indignantly, "how dare
You insult me?'
"AIv dear child, if YOU call that an insult
TO offer yon something you are dying to
have, you must have a strange magma
ton. :"
ut is an insult!' 1 cried. "How dare
you say it?"
Rubbish. my dear i NAV as we'll tell
Won that don't intend TO marry linn He
is altogether too concei ed for poor man
and l think my money Will bring me some,
one more 10 my taste. The truth is ! have
outQrown him since he went away, and
told him so this afternoon"
"Clara you are certainly beside yourselfl
You could not outgrow Robert Hefvey in u
lifeimep
"You may think so" she said quicklw
"but even SO, don't want a superior being
foi n husband. who will expect ms to look
up to him all my life. take my opinions at
his hands, and have none of my owns 1t
may suit you-but IL doesn't suit mel"
"And you have told him thisY" / said.
"Not IN so many words; but | sa was
quite sure we we're not suited to each
other, and, in fact, l thought you might
suit him better"
We had not felt much love for each other