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

ders, and without another word walked from
the room.
CHAPTER Nv.
You did me a great injustice. said she.
wearily. You should have acknowledged
this sooner. Had you done So"
"Well?" came the eager question.
Miss Illerton finished her sentence with
icy composure:
Had YOU done so you would have spared
me much annoyance. that is all.
Does Clara know thatY" commenced Mr..
Cover then paused abruptly.
THAT you and L came 10 an understanding
yesterday? No, she does not"
Amoment Of silence. then spoke Mr.. Cow
er again:
You must not despise me. now. Chris
tine"
I did-yes. 1 despi, ed what appeared to
me an unmanly weakness aud pitiiul false
hoo . l did not consider the mistaken sense
OF honor which caused you TO hesitate be-
fore inflicting an imaginary pain.
If YOU had ever loved me, Christine
But never loved you." she interrupted.
with great earnestness. This marriage
was arranged between our parents. We
lent ourselves TO the sinful plottings Of
others therein lay our fault. Why, We
have been miracles of obstinate stupidity"
chr slime. suppose that all had been dit
ferent; suppose that"
That you had loved me. Is that what
YOU wish 10 saw"
We'll. yes. that had not loved Clara
would you then really have sacrificed your
self 10 me-"
Miss I!erton did not answer Immediately.
She at for IA moment quite still. her head
resting upon her hand.
Il can not tell" she said at last. half
dreamily. Heaven help me. can not tell
/ believed that was doing right" Then.
with sudden energy; Never mind what
might hare BEEN! Think only OF what as
Wait here. ] viii BE- back presently" And
she hurried nom the Dom.
She was back p esently-with Clara Vol
ney. The young lady was very pale. but
preserved "A malkable composute. Miss
He tons keen eyes, however. detected the
sudden flush. and her firm fingers felt the
tremor OF the little hand they claspad.
But here was one who would not waste
so much as one poor word ON all this an
euish. Leading her compau on forward.
she paused before her visitor: then she
spoke:
Mr.. Arthur Cover. give you my cousin
as wife.
"Christinei-
10 not interrupt me- Mr.. Cover has
been making confession, and so have l,
aud we understand each other now. Iou
must
IL was Mr.. Cover who interrupted her
here. He had taken her hand al d kissed it
ieverently.
What can say. Chrstlne?"
Nv dear boy. say nothing-to me. There
is Clara"
She turned away laughinclv. At thu
door she stopped suddenly. then retraced
her steps.
DO you see nothing?" she asked DO
neither OF you miss anythingg"
i do" cried Clara. Where is it2"
Are you sure that you understand me-
All. yes. l am sure! Oh. Arthur where
is it2"
But Arthur said never word. only stood
siieOtV guZinu AT Oh iStiup
He does not know" averred the latter.
with mock gravity. but will tell you. !
threw il in the river this morning when I
was II ling.
Here Miss Illerton held up her hand. and
10! the ring. the token Of betrothal. was no
longer in its place
Thus had She decided the matter OF her
marriage with Arthur Cover.
There had been a busy time at The Crag.
such busy time as inevitably Drecedes
marriage, and now came the lull which as
inevitably follows those periods OF hazard
Gus excitement.
The pretty pageant was over. and Arthur
was gone. and his wife was gone, and only
"A lonely woman remained at the old place
"a very lonely woman. one who had let her
hopes go by. had nut her suffe ing aside.
anu now. patiently bearing the DuruOn OF
the day. waited for that night for which. in
the cruel pangs Of her anguish she long
lU2il ltdIubu.
SO me wo q drearily on. until ore day
Miss Illerton sat in the library trying TO fix
her mini on tie book whic lay open in
her lap. when suddenly, sh knew not how
IL came about. u strangely rapturous eN-
pectancy seemed to have overcome her.
when directly she heard the drawing-room
door close and visitor entir. A charm
took possession OF or. and she Immediately
arose and crossed the room. and as she
parted the pc, there her breath came in
deep, gasping sobs. and she stood quite
motionless. her eyes resting on Ralph
Gresham.
"Chiistinel-
The woAiul eyes brightoned now.
Il heard of this. Chri-tiue. l have been
away. you know-far away. l have come
for YOU CIR stine.
And l have waited for you. oh. my be-
loedl-
His strong ann was about her now. her
head was pillowed upon his aithful breast.
and ii tears wet her cheek be sure they
were very happy tears. The past. with its
sorrows and shadows. was zone: and now
~ love 80 great had come 10 her that
THROUGH its radiance she read the p omise
OF blessed psace, and 10y unutt 'rabie.
III you do not Relieve that the iates were
kind to Christine ask Ralph Gresham's
wife.