The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-10-23
DO LISTEN TO REASON.

Smoking TRANQUILITY in an easy chair enc
evening in June, Majo HartwelI was reused
from tn deep and painful reverie into which
ne had fallen by step In the hall and n
knock on his parlor door.
Comet" he said. and "a smile lighted up
his grave. handsome face. for both step and
knock were f0mliar 10 him, and II there
was any man on earth whom he held near
and dear. that man was he who now en-
tered.
Il was beginning to wonder what had be-
come of you. Arthur" stretching out well
coming hand. which Arthur Hazard took in
warm grasp.
~l have been unusually busy" and Arthur
ihrew himself into a chair. I've been get
tiEs ready TO leave town for n few weeks,
End haven't had time TO even think OF my
friends"
Then you've come to say ar repOir.
Yes; I'm of tomorrow by the early
train. wish you were going with me,
Cyril"
Il can't leave the city now. Besides
shouldn't enjoy having nothing TO do. l
haven't taken vacation since / let the
0rmy. Where are you goingY
To a piece called Westholt, down in
buckingham County"
The Major started. and shadow crept
over his face-the SHADOW OF a past sOr-
row the memory Of which was very painful
te him.
Il am going to visit the big man OF the
ptace-Squre Drayton, continued Arthur.
carelessy. Il made his acqua ntance Il few
months ago by the merest accident. He
was pleased TO take a fancy to me- and in-
vite3 me TO his place. Some one was tell
my ihe the other day that the Squire had
one OF the prettiest daughters imaginable
80 you can prepare yourself for anything
In the way OF news when | come back
He paused. lau hing. and expecting some
facetious reply; but Major Hartwell was ST.
Tent. The shadow had deepened on his face
into a look of pain.
whats the matter. Hartwell? You look
as If you had seen ghost. Are you envying
me my good luck?"
No; 1 have no desire to go 10 Westholt
shall never go there again.
All! You have been there before me.
them"
Yes; I was once engaged to be married
20 Lois Drayton."
You were? Excuse me. Major. il had
known that would never have spoken as
did; but no hint of anything Of the sort had
ever reached me. Are you willing to tell me
about it,"
Yes; had l not been. I would not
have mentioned Ii at all. IL isn't a very
long story. but think it very unusual
one. l met Lois Drayton when my regi-
ment was stationed near Westholt, and we
were engaged Tor year. know she loved
me; nave never doubted that, though
what followed would have led almost any
man To believe her utterly wanting in any
thing approaching affection. We were 10
be married on the 10th Of October, and the
wedding was to be a grand affair. All the
Orayton relatives far and near were invited.
and the Squire had prepared for boniires,
fireworks and general enthusiasm. | went
down 10 Westhot on the morning of the 9th
and had no fault TO find with the welcome
received from Lois. l thought l had never
seen her in a happier mood, and we had a
long talk about our future and made all
sorts OF plans, which l little thought were
never to be realized We spent a very
happy afternoon in the great. dusky parlor.
and after supper the Squire took me out for
long walk, wishing TO show me some i'm
provements he had made in drainage and
parking. We left Lois in the hall talking TO
an old woman who had come TO get some
medicine for sick child. | remember that
4 looked back when L reached the yard and
waved my hand 10 my little girl. thinking
how sweet and fair and gentle she looked
as she stood listening 20 the description OF
the child's ilness All, mel / did not
dream that 1t was our last parting-that
was never 10 sec her a ain"
Never to see her again." echoed Arthur
Hazard. as his friend paused.
No; i have never seen her since that
evening. When the Squire and / returned
TO the house, a couple OF hours later. we
found that she had gone to administer the
medicine herselfto the child. and on reach
fng home again had retired at once TO her
room. and had sent for her aunt. Mrs. An
drews who had taken the place of a mother
10 her for many years. Mrs. Andrews
found her prone on rug. her left hand
;grasping il in her agony.
Gently raising her. Mrs. Andrews endeav-
.ored 20 learn the cause Of her pale and ag-
Gated condition. but she would eX plain moth
ing, simply stating that a great sorrow had
come over her life. She simply wished. she
said, to send "A message to me. 1t was that
she absolutely refused 20 marry me. Yes,
on the very eve Of our wedding she had
changedher mind. And she would give no
reason for the change. nor would she con-
sent 10 see rae. Her father and aunt rea-
Soned and argued with her in vain. She
simply wept and maintained her mysterious
silence. And the end Of il all was that lett
Westholt the next day, together with my
best man and the half-dozen bridesmaids
The affair created a great deal Of gossip.
but no one has ever been able to get to the
bottom OF It,"
Perhaps Miss Drayton heard something
against YOU" suggested Hazard
NO; that question was asked her, and she
insisted that she had not.
And you do not think her merely flcklep"
~Iknow her too we'll 10 think that"
And there was no other lover?"
mo. She had other suitors. OF course.
but was the only one Tor whom she had
expressed any regard.
And she has never given any explanation
OF her singular actionp'
Never. / sec her father occasionally.
and he has repeatedly assured me that she
maintains her mysterious silence. They
never mention my name TO her now. She
requested them not 10 do so.
Il wish. for your sake. l could get at the
root OF the matter. Major. suppose / try
will have good opportunity, you see."
You can try. Of course. Thank you for
your interest. But there is no reason to
think you will succeed. No; ! must bear
my sorrow as best can. l must not hope,
for hope would end only in despair"
In the train the next day, on tho way TO
Westholt. Arthur Hazard remembered the
story he had heard. and he felt great
curiosity 10 see the heroine OF so peculiar a
tale
Squire Drayton was the richest landed
proprietor In the large and fertile county in
which Westholt was situated. His house
was n handsome, rambling building, sur
rounded by trees. and overlooking beau
tiful gardens. rich pastures, and well-tillcd
Gclds.
His family consisted Of his daugher Lois.
a widowed sister and nephew. the son OF
his only trother.
Arthur liked Lois at once. She was
vehned- looking girl OF about twenty five