The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-08-07
CHAPIEl, III.

fession. she was the happiest woman in the
world.
CHAPTER III.
summers day slowly dying-a tender
gloom stealing down the long aisles OF
forest trees and the low murmur of softly
plashing riplets a mass OF Jagged black
rocks. with the last rays OF sunlight CLINT
ing upon their bald tops. and gnarled
branches overreaching low. fern-tuited
banks. 20 dip in the peaceful water.
Imagine this. and you have the picture of
thu little lake at The Crag." Then imagine
a tiny prettily painted canoe. with "A young
woman at either end. and n gentleman
fairly dividing his attention between his
companions and the skilliul management
OF the slender oars.
Now you have Miss Illerton. her cousin
and Al thur Cover.
They had bean floating laZily on. with
barely IA word now and then TO break
stiffness almost painful. until they neAred
the dangerous Black Rocks; then the little
wherry became entangled in the stcalthy
current and veered with n treacherous
lurch-a lurch sharp enough to Hing one
of the women backward. aud dangerous
enou IN 10 startle Arthur into a singularly
awkward betrayal of emotion.
The little 70 m had barely swayed when
the gentleman, with "A hoarse cry. sprang
forward.
"Clarai My God. Clara"
That was all he said: vet, whom he re-
membered himself. he was holding Clara
Nolney i'm his arms.
is she hurt2"
The voice was Miss Iilertons. and now
Arthur Cover remembered, too. that the
woman whom he should marry was beside
him.
Are you hurt Christine? ?" he asked.
flushing hotly as his arms fell from Clara.
Not AT ALL thank you"
Nor am l, protested her cousin. laugh
ing nervously. only frightened. 1t was
so sudden. you see."
Yes. it was sudden. certainly" acquiesced
Miss lllerton; sudden and pleasant
This extraordinary assertion remained
uncontradtcted, Tor not another word was
spoken until the boat was being made last
TO tho low, quantity contrived landing OF
roughly hewn logs; then, Miss llerion
stepped upon this rustic platform, Arthur
Cover touched her hand. ueta.ningly.
What is the matter. Christinef" he ven
tured.
why. what should be the matter?" And
now, affecting TO notice for the first time
his awkward hesitation, she continued.
smilingly. My dear boy just put that oar
in its proper place, will your Then follow
Us up 10 the house rs quickly as possible
Those people will b. there"
Those people" were city friends who en-
iOyed amazingly frequent visits 10 The
Crag. and 10 welcome them now hastened
the hospitable mistress OF the old manor
house. leaving Dir. Cover in most painful
state of anxious doubt and self-convicted
treachery.
Christine lllerton was not woman OF
hall measures. That night she entered her
cousin = chamber. and without ado put
this straightforward question:
How long has this been going on?"
Going on?"
Tell me. wish the truth; wish you
TO be frank.
why. what DO you mcan:" asked Clara.
yet never looking up.
You understand me. How long has this
been going on between you aDd--and-the
the man whom ! intend to marryY"
At this Clara lifted her head and looked
az her cous in with innocent. fearless eyes
YOU do not mean 10 accu-e us Of any
thing Ike Irritation. ! hope she said.
proudly.
~Oh. no." was Miss Ille tons cool re-
Spouse: Il acquit YOU o, that. There has
been no Irritation; tut there has been u
great deal of intensely earnest love-mak-
ing That knowledge was forced upon me
this afternoon. remember"
All. Christinei"
And hero this Young woman displayed
woeful ignorance Of the first principles Of
feminine strategy: for. instead OF adrOitly
maneuverng. carefully marshalng her re-
piles. and sklIfuly defending all week
points OF her false position from the IN
sparlng vigilance of that keen eyed sharp
shooter Miss Christine Illerton. the silly
creature" only MA her lace In her ndndS.
and 'twixt piteous sobbings. proclaimed
her ignominious overthrow.
All. cousin--ah, Christine!"
Instead Of calling my name in that utter
lyi ncOmprehensible. manner. you would do
better TO answer my question. suggested
Miss Illerton. How long has Arthur Cover
loved your"
Il never knew that he loved me- protest
ed the offender.
Yet he told il very plainly this after
noon. and was present. il you recollect."
Christine. dear Christlnel" Clara was
stand NJ now, not weeping. but speaking
with low. impressive eagerness. AS / live
never before has he said as much as that:
never before has he uttered one word that
you might not have heard-neyer Chris
tine, cOusinl
DO you tell me this upon your honorT"
Upon my honor.
But you love him. of course. There. Won
need not turn away. Keep your secret
child. Only remember this. that you are
will ally walking to moral destruction, for
i shall certainly marry the man you love.
Goodnight dear"
What does 1t matter to me? Why should
/ care il she breaks her heart or him?
Do L care? Not l. protested Miss lllerton,
as she sHuntered slowly to her own room.
an hour later. alter in awkward leHye-tak-
ing with Mr.. Cover. They make their own
misery. J hat which il not worth asking
is not worth having. surely. She S "A TOOL.
but he i, coward: O. after ALL save her
from wrctched late"