The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-12-22

/
TRAIL.
at me as [ looked after them at the
edge of the wood. The baroness had
asked me to go with her, but | thought
the journey too long. Louise came out
and sat by me awhile as | lay in the
hammock. She was all in white. A
trife taller and a bit more slender
than her sister, have sometimes
thought her beauty was statelier, also,
and more statuesque. The sight of her
seemed TO kindle in me the spirit of
old chiYalry. | would have fought and
died for her with my best lance and
plume. In all my life | had not seen
a woman of sweeter graces of speech
and manner, and, in truth, | have
met some of the best born OF her sex.
She had callers presently-the Sieur
Michel and his daught< | went away,
then, for q walk, and after time,
strolled into the north trail. Crossing
a messy glade, in a circle of fragrant
cedar | sat down 10 rest. The sound
of falling water came to my ear
through thickets of hazel and shad-
berry. Suddenly ! beard a sweet voice
singing a lCve-Song OF Prov ence-the
same voice, the same song, | had heard
the day | came half fainting on my
horse. Somebody was coming near. In
moment | saw Louise before me- 4,
What, ma In selle." | said; alone
in the woods."
Not SO, said she. Il knew you
were here-somewhere, and-and-
well, | thought you might be lonely"
You are good angel ! said. al
ways trying to make others happy"
Eth bien," said she, sitting beside
me, Il was lonely myself. l cannot
read or study. / have neglected my
lessons; l have insulted the tutor
threw my book at him, and
walked away, for he sputtered at
me. do not know what is
the matter | know am very
wicked. Perhaps-ah me- perhaps il is
the devil"
Ma IN 'selle it is appalling" I said.
'You may have injured the poor man.
You must be very bad Let me see
your palm"
l held her dainty fingers in mine,
that were still hard and brown, peer
ing into the pine hollow of her hand.
She looked up curiously
"A quick temper and heart of
gold, | said. IF the devil has it, he
is lucky, and-well, l should like to
be in his confidence"
All, m 'sieur," said she, seriously,
a little tremor on her lips, Il have
much trouble-you do not know.
have to fight with myself"
you have, then, a formidable enc
nay" | answered.
But | am not quarrelsome," said
she, thoughtfully. Il am only weary
of the life here. l should like to go
away and be of some use in the world.
| suppose it is wicked, for my papa
wishes me to stay And bah! it is a
prison-a Hopital de Salpetriere!"
Man 'selle," ! exclaimed, IF you
talk like that l shall take you on my
horse and fly with you. | shall come
as your knight, as your deliverer, some
day"
"Alas!" said she, with a sigh, you
would find me very heavy. One has
nothing TO do here but grow lazy and
-ciel!-fat."
If my meeting with her sister had
not made it impossible and absurd,
should have offered my heart to this
fair young lady then and there. Now |
could not make it seem the part of
honor and decency. | could not help
adoring her simplicity, her frankness,
her beautiful form and face.
1t is no prison for me-" said. IL
do not long for deliverance l cannot
tell you how happy have been to stay
how unhappy | shall be to leave"
Captain" she said quickly, you are
not strong; you are no soldier yet"
Yes; | must be off to the wars"
And that suggests an idea" said
she. thoughtfully, her chin upon her
hand.
which is?"
THAT wealth is my i'll fortune" sh Il
went on. with a sigh. Men and wo-
rcn are fighting and toiling and bleed
ing TO maize the world better. and