The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-08-27

little incident recalled IT all. AS gazsd
he took VIOLA lhug hingly and with gen.
tie force, from her dark companion's
arms and conducted her in merry tri-
umph into the house himself. the other
following gayly.
l think the cry of anguish that broke
from my lips Of that sight would have
had its way; though all the world had
stood by to hear. Lost TO me-losti The
man l loved adored-who once had
loved me we'll. for whose return / had
waited, hoped, and prayed through weary
years lost! given TO another
woman, and caressing her before my eyes |!
Oh, heaven, what was pride or the
worlds opinion worth to me In that bit
ter hour?"
sank down in the bottom of the car
riage and cried aloud. The rattle of the
wheels upon the stony road prevented my
being heard. Nowhere else could be SO
utterly UNDECIDED and alone; never again
could / give way to such abandon of
misery. Tomorrow l should be my cold,
proud self again. and Sir Edwards prom
ised bride. Tonight / was Frank Bas-
comes faithful lover, forsaken, heart
broken and despairing. l sent up an
exceeding bitter cry to heaven. for the
love so priced and had lost.
Oh, to recall the past-the fatal, cruel.
torturing past-that is gone beyond all
recall! Had he been true to me at the
first, after all? Did l wrong him, ms he
said-as he swore? Was it the mad folly
of NV own jealousy that first put the
thought of Viola into his mind? Was 1t
my own hand that had struck down the
happiness of my life?
Va n, vain questioning. to which there
never comes an answering voice. One
thing alone was given me to know surely
til It loved him, and hid lost him
forever!
A long, long night of tears and jealous
pain.
This night l will give to grief" 1
thought; all the rest of my life to en-
durance."
The gray light of dawn stole in at my
window before at last sobbed myself 10
sleep.
My maid awoke me, standing by my
bed was bewildered at first; then sud-
denly the recollection of my grief re-
turned like n fresh calamity. / hid my
face upon the pillow with groau.
My head aches sadly. Rose, why did
you wake me?"
The girl looked distressed.
A lady was here to see you, miss.
It's ten O'Clock. l told her you were
al hour. Here Is her card, miss.
l took it listlessly. What was the lady
to me?
Il will not see her, Rose, whoevor she
is.
Then read the card Mrs. F. Bas-
come" She. let it fall as if snake
had stung me. She-she seeking me!
sprang up from the bed.
Dress me quickly, Rose-a loose
white wrapper only. Tell them to send a
cup of tea to my boudoir; when the lady
comes again show her up there"
OF course / must rece We Viola. APP
pearances must o considered
Why did she force herself on mo?
That question racked my brain. Had he
told her of our love in those old days,
and had she come TO feed her pride upon
my sorrow? Oh. but she shall lose her
time, then! Last night has gone, like all
the rest of the sweet md bitter p4st-to-
day finds me Sir Edwards promised
bride.
Viola stole into the dnykened boudoir
like stray sunbeam in gloomy day.
1t is asy for happy hearts 10 be gay and
bright. How easy for her! Sne had
stolen my share Of life's sunshine to add
TO her own.
You poor dear girl" she murmured,
gently drawing my unwilling head to
her breast, and softly caressing my hair.
How glad | am 10 see YOU again, and
how sad it is that you are suffering!
suppose it seems cruel of me to persist in
talking to you to-day, but | must Chris
tine, for your own sake and anothers.
felt my face flush. He had told her,
then, and the little fool thought TO set
herself right with me, perhaps. would
not suffer it.
i fear must beg you to excuse ms to-
day, l said, icily. Il expect visitor
shortly, for whom l must prepare. Sir
Edward Vane, my future husband-"
She stopped me with cry of horror.
NO, no. Christine; don't say that. You
don't know that man, dear. No woman
who knew him would m lrry him. He is
bad. He is wicked, he is beartless,
Christine. His first wife died OF his
cruelty. l assure you his character is
known in London we'll, and still better in
the village where the tine ESTATE lies or
which he asks you to be the mistress.
Oh, Christine! all those who love YOU
would rather see you in your grave.
promised Frank l would tell you. He
would not let me rest until | came.
Christine, we stayed near Sir Edwards
home for while. Oh. Christine the
lovely, earnest, sympathetic eyes watched
me now through streaming tears-"oh,
Christine, pause before Won ruin your
whole life. Will you marry this wretch
just because he is rich and titled? Can
wealth atone for the wpnt OF respect and
love? For the sake of the old love you
once bore Frank-Frank who loves you
so we'll"
But l stopped her there. The passion
of her words had fairly borne me down
and carried me bevond my proud reserve.
/ forgot my pride. l remembered only
my wrongs, my love, my pain.
You say this?" l cried, trembling with
passion. "You speak to me of Franks
love: You-you---"
Resentment and anguish choked me. 1
burst into n storm of weeping. She
drew away from me, startled and sub
dued.
Il nm sorry if have done wrong" she
said, half timidly. Il but Welded to your
lovers prayer. Perhaps l had no right
to interfere. He had better come to YOU
himself. But thought Christine, that.
as we were old school fellows and
friends. and as by my marriage TO Fred 1
am Franks sister now"
sprang TO my feet with n sudden cry.
What-what was she saying i caught
her hands in mine.
Franks sister-not Franks wife?"
She threw her arms around me.
WAS that the mistake?" she cried, joy
fuily "Daar dear Christine' Frank has