The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1897-01-27
A MANS VENGEANCE.

Ii was a stiff climb from Pengelly, and
the basket of fish Isaac Hocken carried
was heavy. At the top of the Hill he was
fain to stretch himself on the turf and rest
his bent old back against the low stone
wall which inclosed John Tregon's field
mo use going up TO the house. John 8
ut market, and the missis'll be turning the
place topsy turvy," he reflected. What
with spring cleanin's all the year round
and the drivin, Bertha has had a terrible
hard time. And they do say In the village
well, WE'LL" he muttered, checking him
self, lit wasn't to be expected with her
pretty face that Jim's her first sweetheart. I"
Not n breeze stirred the lifeless calm
and the midday sun poured flcroely down.
Presently he sought the shade Of spread
Ing tree which overhung the wall a few
PAGES from him But he was no longer
solitary. Voices fell on his ear-Bertha
Tregon's and that Of the man who report
said bad Tilted her.
my poor Berthal You've no cause TO
fear me. know exactly how It was you
forsook me for James Hocken. But
wrote WHENEVER had the chance"
mot single letter reached me. T"
Because your mother waylaid the post
man." t-'
Despite the heat, Isaac shivered. Wills
insight was making clear much that had
puzzled him.
Perhaps What matters now" asked
Bertha in forlorn tones. You should
have kept away 1t would have been
kinder.
And let you continue to think that
was false2 Lookee here, Bertha you
promised TO be my wife before ever Hocken
courted you And now you knaw I've
been faithful to you
Il durstn't break with Jim. Mother Is
set on him. Oh, why did you comet
You'll get fresh sweetheart, but Jim
won't feel nc won't And shall keep
my promise 10 him."
But Bertha's love was unchanged, and
to the breathless listener on tho thither
side Of the wall Wills tender pleadings
were the knell of his sons hopes.
What girl who loved him could resist
handsome Will Carter?
Gaunt and grizZled with weather beaten,
strongly marked features, he had always
known that Jim wasn't one that girl
would fancy. And Bertha had only ac-
cepted him at her mothers bidding, be-
leving that Will was untrue TO her. 1t
was all so plain TO him now Poor Jim,
even flower that Bertha had plucked was
precious TO him. Hadn't he found "a rose
withered and dead in his pocketS And all
his love in vainl Isaac whipped out his
handkerchief and mopped his face Yet, If
Will hadn't returned
But, contrary to his expectations. tho
girl was firm in her resolve.
Il won't listen To you, " she said at last,
reused by Wills upbraidings. Jim isn't
to blanche knew nothing Of our sweet
hearting; nor am l. 1t didn't enter my
mind that mother might've got your let
tiers. How should IL? Az If you alone snf
fered," she faltered. LET us part
friends. F"
'Sweethearts or nothing" said Will
gruffly.
With the swish, swish of feet through
the long grass, crawling on his knees, old
Isaac peered cautiously over the wall.
Bertha was running toward the house.
and win Carter, with his head thrown
back, striding in an opposite direction
- Bless the little madr' he calculated
lone time / was afeared for jim But
she's got a good grip % things Yes,
plenty more sweethearts for WILL" no
chuckled, observant of the pose of his head.
And there's but one in the world for my
'lad-Bertha Tregon. May my tongue be
slit Ii let ont TO him. +"
Rising. Isaac shouldered his basket and
proceeded on his round
The old fisherman had been somewhat
rash, however in his conclusions
BY her own admissions Bertha decision
had been prompted solely by fear of her
mother. But If on reflection she were still
willing To sacrifice her happiness, Will
Carter certainly had no intention Of yield
ing TO her weakness.
A fine seaman, of whom Pengelly was
proud, for the past year Will had been on
board yacht cruising In tho Mediterra-
mean. But for reasons best known to her
self, Mrs. Tregon had discountenanced his
suit, and although he had every confidence
in her Bertha's silence had inspired mis-
givings not easy TO allay Once moro free
he had returned at the earliest date to
England, and at Plymouth, where he land
ed, had met a friend, who, among other
items of Pengelly news, informed him Of
her desertion, adding:
And she'll be Mrs. Hocken I'm a fort
night"
Determined to demand full explana-
ton from Bertha herself, Will made no
comment, but his laugh was unmirthfuL
And with rage In his heart he hailed a
passing cab, was driven to the railway
station and taken by the train TO Wade
bridge. Thence he could walk to the Ire
CONS.
But, the house In view, In crossing the
field Will had espiod Bertha In tho gar
den, and, with muffled "Ahoy" sped to the
tree that sheltered old Isaac. She had
swiftly Joined him. Nevertheless the shock
of his return was visible In her white face
and her trembling lips would frame no
welcome. Looking at him imploringly
her blue eyes filled. And longing to clasp
her in his arms the rcassuring words
which, while enlightening him, had chilled
Jim's father did duty for the approaches
nc had come primed with.
But Will had taken Bertha by surprise
and between her dream of him and terror
of her mother, who ruled the Trogon house
hold with rod of iron, he rightly OWNED
that she had caught at the readiest means
of escape which in her distraction had
presented itself to her. Yet his faith in
her frmness was limited; the revival of
fond memories would tend TO lessen her
mothers influence. And cunningly calcu-
lating that apparent indifference would
further incline her to be guided by his
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