The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1899-10-18
BILLS SACRIFICE.

home from work. Jack and Bill were
bosom friends, and from boyhood one
was scarcely seen on the street with
out the other. SO noticeable had their
friendship become that the good people
In the little city Of Longville had nick
named them Damon and Pythias.
Bill was whistling a gay tune as he
sauntered along. and Jack was hum
ming snatches OF love songs, when
suddenly Jack stopped and. laying his
hand on Bills shoulder said wait a
minute, Bill; have something to tell
you" "Well, what is itT' said Bill;
"burry up, for I'm In hurry"
4 "Bill," said Jack in low voice, I'm
Yin love, and tomorrow night I'm going
to propose TO Elsie Brentwood. l think
she loves me, but thought l would see
you and ask you first before going TO
her" Going to propose to Elsie Brent
wood?" repeated Bill; ''why, thought
you were only friend of hers, and
never suspected you OF being her low
err"
Il know that, Bill, but have conceal
ed my affection for Elsie from you be-
cause l thought you would think my
friendship for you would grow weaker
as my love for her grew stronger"
20, let up" said Bill. You are a
dear, kind chum Jack, and | wish you
luck, but, come to think Of II I've got
report TO carry to DR.. Catin, so good
night; see you in the morning"
We'll, | declare" unused Jack: 81
never knew Bill to leave me in such
rush before, but he's been working
pretty hard in the office to-day, so
\, suppose he's nervous. Well, | must
hurry along, for I've lot Of letters to
write" so saying, he walked rapidly
on in the opposite direction.
Meanwhile what became of Bill?
When he left Jack his brain felt as If
it were on fire. Going TO propose to
Elsie Brentwood" rang in his ears, and
the lightly blowing winds took up the
words and whispered them through
the branches of the trees. Never till
now did Bill know how much he was
in love with Elsie He and Jack had
been in the habit of calling on her, and
both fell in love with her without let
ting the other suspect 1t.
She was pretty little brunette with
dark brown hair and most beautiful
hazel eyes ever seen. She lived alone
with her mother In a little cottage, and
supported herself and mother by doing
millinery. She had been greatly per-
picked by the attentions of Jack and
Bill, but did not know whom she liked
the better.
Bill had made up his mind to propose
to her that evening, and was on the
point of saying so to Jack when Jacks
words came like a thunderbolt.
Going to propose to Elsie Brent
wood" The words rang louder and
louder in his already overheated brain.
Then came the thought of jealousy
like thief sneaking in the night.
Keep him from seeing her and 60
yourself and ask her to marry YOU"
said the tempter.
How can | keep him away from
her?' said Bill to himself. Then he
remembered that on the previous even
ing Jack had told him that he had over
/, drawn his salary at the bank, but in
4 tended to pay it back in a few days.
Now, if he could get word TO the
| president of the bank and have him
examine the books Jack would lose his
position in disgrace, and would not
then have the courage to ask Elsie to
be his wife. Bill would then play the
part of a friend TO Jack, get him to
leave town, and thus would be free to
marry Elsie.
For a long time Bill walked nervous
ly up and down the road. Right and
wrong struggled for mastery in his
heart. The tempter said why give
Elsie for Jack? He would not do it
for you. Jack has done wrong and
why should he escape. while you, who
have not done anything wrong will
have to suffer disappointment, if you
let him marry Elsie"
Bill was giving way when the little
yoice of conscience said: NOW is the
time TO prove your boosted friendship;
bear up like a man and suffer this dis
! appointment Do not wreck your
friends life to crafty your wish;
rather let your own be sad than his
spoiled forever"
w lNh lhtst
Cling for mastery in his young breast
Bill walked slowly home and, sitting
down to table, took some paper and
wrote a few hasty lines. Quickly seal
ing them, he arose from the table, put
on his hat and coat, and went out.
Next morning Jack was called to the
Office by the president. When he en-
; tered the president said: Here Jack,
is letter that has just been left for
you by a messenger boy"
Jack took the letter, opened it, and
the staggered back. He recovered him
self, opened the door and went back to
bis desk. There he sat like one in
trance, neither moving nor speaking
but gazing at the words before him:
Dear Jack: When these lines reach
you / will be far away. l have a secret
to tell you. l loved Elsie Brentwood
more than life, but / think she loves
A.