The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1906-04-13


Louise sat beside me, and | saw
what others failed to notice-her nap
kin stop quickly on its way to her lips
her hand tighten as ii held the white
linen. II made me regretful OF my
thoughtless answer. but oddly happy
for a moment. Then they all be-
sought me for some adventure or
those old days in the army. | told
them the story of the wasps, and, when
had finished, our baroness told of the
trouble it led to-their capture and
Imprisonment.
at was very strange" said she, in
conclusion. "That Englishman grew
kinder every day we were there, until
we began to feel at home"
They were all mystiied, but
thought I could understand It, we
had a long evening of music, and |
babe them all good-by before going TO
bed, for they were to be off early.
Well, the morning came clear, and
before | was out of bed | heard the
coach-horn. the merry laughter of
ladies under my window, the prancinS
hoofs. and the crack of the whip as
they all went away. 1t surprised me
greatly to find Louise at the breakfast
table when | came below-stairs; |
shall not try TO say how much IT
pleased me- She was gowned in pink,
a red rose at her bosom. | remember
as if it were yesterday, the bright
ness of her big eyes, the glow in her
cheeks, the sweet dignity of her tall,
fine figure when she rose and gave
me her hand.
81 did feel sorry, nam selle, that |
could not go; but now-now am
happy" was my remark.
"Oh captain, you are very gallant"
said she. as we took seats. IL was not
in the mood for merrymaSing, and
then, am reading book"
"a book May its covers be the
gates of happiness" l answered.
"Eh bien! it is a tale of love-" said
she.
"Of man for woman | inquired.
"Of a lady that loved two knights,
and knew not which the better.
"Is it possible and-and reasonable"
inquired. "In tale things should
go as-well, as God plans them"
quite possible" said she, for in
such a thing as love who knows what
What may happen?'
tExcept he have a vide experience.
] answered.
"And have Gods eyes" said she.
LET me tell you. They were botE hand
some. brave, splendid, of course, but
more perfect beauty of form and face
the other a nobler soul.
and which will she favor?'
Alas! | have not read and do not
know her enough to judge" was the
answer; "but / shall hate her if she
does not take linn with the better
soul"
AID why?" could hear my heart
beating
Love is not love unless it be she
paused, thinking "Dieu! from soul TO
soul" she added ieelingly
She was looking down, white, tap
cred finger stirring the red petals Of
the rose. Then she spoke in a low,
sweet tone that trembled with holy
feeling and cut me like a sword Of
the spirit going to its very hilt in my
soul.
Love looks to what is noble" said
she, 'or it is vain-it is wicked; it
fails: it dies in a day, like the rose.
True love, that is forever"
What if it be hopeless" ! whis-
pered.
"Ah! then it is very bitter" said
size, her voice diminishing. 1T may
Kill the body but-but love does not
die When il comes"
There was a breath of silence that
had in it a strange harmony not of this
world.
"'When it comes? I whispered
''You see the coming of a great king -
said she, looking down thoughtfully,
her chin upon her hand.
and all people bow their heads,
/ said.
Eyes" she added. with a sigh. &c
give Jnelr bodies TO be burned, If he
ask it. The king is cruel-sometimes "
"Dieu!" said | "He has many cap
lives"
She broke sprig of fern, twirling it
IN her fingers; her big eyes looked up
at me, and saw, l know, TO the bottom
OF my soul.
But long live the king!" said she,
her lips trembling, her cheeks as red as
the rose upon her bosom.
Long live the king!" / murmured.
We dared go no farther. Sweet phil
osopher, inspired of Heaven, / could
not bear the look of her. and rose
quickly with dim eyes and went out of
the open door. A revelation had come
TO me- Mere de Dieui how | loved
that woman so fashioned in thy image!
She followed me, and laid her hand up
on my arm tenderly, while l shook
with emotion.
Captain" said she, in that sweet
voice, captain, what have / done?"
1t was the first day of the Indian
summer, a memorable season that year,
when according TO an old legend, the
Great Father sits idly on the noun
tain-tops and blows the smoke of his
long pipe into the valleys. In mo-
ment was quite calm, and stood look
ing off to the hay hollows of the far
field. l gave her my arm and without