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

an olive complexion. an abundance of
| chestnut hair. aud n 1.-THE and graceful fig
| ure: but she was snysand reserved. and
| talked little. even 10 her father.
Arthur rather prided himself upon his
| ability 20 read character. He thought he
| understood that OF Lois. and the fact that
she had been able to keep secret for three
| years her reasons for refusing TO marry the
| man she loved puzzled him very much.
-She does not look like woman who
| could keep secret" he thought. Il should
say that she could be frightened into almost
anything. She has = weak mouth. and Is
This opinion was strengthened as he
| became more acquainted with her. and he
felt greater desire than ever 10 penetrate
the mystery which surrounded her broken
| engagement.
Perhaps Henry DrGyton can help me. no
| thought.
And. with this object in view. he cutiva-
ted that young mans acquaintance.
But tho Squire's nephew proved OF a
surly. unsociable nature. and showed no
disposition 10 meet Arthur's advances even
halt way.
Arthur ut length concluded to let him So
verely alone. and turned his attention to
Mrs. Andrews who was a kind. mothsrly
woman, fond OF talking. and OF a genial.
| connding nature.
She ha taken "a great fancy to Arthur.
apd he found it easy TO draw from her all
that she knew or surmised concerning her
niece's love affair.
But she could tell him very little. and it
was substantially the same as he had heard
from the Major.
is her cousin in love with herr" asked
Arthur. with a start Of surprise.
Yes; he has been in love with her for
years, and has asked her half dozen times
10 marry him. He was keenly disappoint-
ed when she became engaged TO Major
Hartwell. but bore it much better than L
had expected. His wedding-gif to her was
as handsome as anything she received, and
he could i'll afford such present, for his
income Is very small. and he is partially
dependent on my brother. l think he is
still bent on winning her, ana probably
thinks she will consent to marry him at last
from sheer WEAKNESS at his per sistence.
But think That scarcely possible"
The day following that on which he had
had this conversation with Mrs. Andrews
Arthur was walking through field with the
Squire, who was explaining his method OF
fertilization, when all ut once they were
startled by a loud Good morning. Squire.
uttered in II clear. feminine voice.
They turned. and saw a young woman
Standing on u low stile which separated the
field from Il tiny orchard. in the middle OF
which was a small cottage. overgrown with
vines
Good morning. Rose" said the Squire
coldly. and then continued his conversation
with Arthur.
The young woman appeared little
piqued at being thus summarily disposed
of. and tossed her head pettishly. her bold
black eyes 9Xed on Arthur. whose young.
athletic hl hre evidently took her fancy.
Eut shy did not speak again. and the
Squire on moved away from the vicinity
OF the srile.
Il hear that Rose Ellis is back again"
said NJ :. Andrew. ut the dinner table.
yes, saw her this morning" said the
Squire.
Il hoped when she went away that we
We're rid Of her Tor overland Mrs. An
Il a. 4 4
that she had excellent wages and wa get
ting along well. ! wonder what has in
duced her TO return.
Pare devltry, of course" slid the
| Squire. Shell have the whole neighbor-
| hood by the ea in a weeks time. Rose
isn't happy unless she is the central figure
| OF "A perpetual brOil.
she is very handsome Cir" said Ar
| thur, but Of a very coarse style.
Her beauty has been he; baac." said
! Mrs. Andrews.
Her grandmother used 10 lie housekeepcr
| here a great many years ago, but lately she
has lived in "A little cottage the Squire gave
| her, about n mile away. Rose has almost
! broken the poor OLD WOman'S heat I; she has
an idea that her beauty will pave her way
! into IA higher sphere than that in Which She
! was born, and IN some way she manages TO
make the acquaintance OF nearly every gem
| tleman who comes into the neighbot hood.
| Then fuss OF some kind IS always sure 20
| follow"
Il believe she would stoop TO anythinr 20
gain her end" said the squire. She is uE-
scrupuou~ % the last degree. and utterly
without delicacy or refinement. i beg ven
TO avoid her. Hazard, or you may have a
moose about your neck before you know 1t.
She is extremely artiul, aud her beauty and
audacity make her dangerous"
Neither Lois nor Henry made any remark
on the subject: but. glancing at the latter,
Arthur saw that his face was scarlet. and
that his hands Shook as he took a cup OF
coffee a servant banded him.
Evidently he has had some experiences
OF the wiles OF the fair Rose thought
Arthur. and felt very sorry for him.
But. little later. pity was changed to n
very different emotion.
The Squire's household retired early. as
is customary in the country, and at zen
o'clock that night Arthur was on his way TO
his room.
As he was about TO enter it. he saw
scrap of paper folded like note lying just
outside his door. He picked it up, and.
opening it, read as follows:
Meet me to- night at the big oak tree near
the pasture gate. | will be there at eleven.
and you must not fail to come. must and
will see YOU.
Arthur could scarcely believe that the
note was intended for himself. and yet his
curiosity was excited and at eleven
o'clock feeling restless and unable TO sleep.
he concluded TO investigate the vicinity OF
that old oak tree II only TO kill time. As he
neared the oak tree he heard voices raised
in angry dispute
He crept closer. and could distinguish the
forms of a man and woman standing
facing each other. The woman was speak
ing now. and Arthur paused.
Il tell you once for ali that / won't wait
any longer" she was saying. in a fierce,
sulen tone. I've waited long enough.
I've come back to make you keep your
promise. and YOU can't put me OIL again
with excuses. If you don't look out you'll
get yourself into trouble"
Hush you can't be too careful what you
say" and Arthur. to his amaZement. recog-
nized the low, cautious voice as that Of his
hosts nephew i tell you IL will come all
right il you only have n little patience.
Every one says she can't live long. and
when l have n little money to bless myself
with you'll see that won't forget you. If
you'll only keep quiet I'll nave matters set
tied in six months time"
That's Just what you said last year, and
the year before. and the year before that.
| While I'm having a little patience you II
be getting married TO Lois Drayton. Oh.
Two had things told mol There them who
watches out for me. No, you'll marry
me now and we'll wait together for your
cousins money"
Il tell you it would be madness for me TO
| take such "A step. J ose. do listen 90 reason.
| i wouldn't come in for cent IL you were
my wife. Wait while. and do make up
| your mind 10 go away for a few months"
No. YOU can't throw no more dust in my
eyes. III you'd been honest and meant