The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1871-10-06
CHAPTER xxi.

E.rnrs :
beart-worn child. Many evidences of
the ravages Of passing years were visi-
bic in the quaint old house, but the tidy
thrift of the bright young wife had COW
cred the unsightly walls and ceiling
with Oft-renewed dwhitewashing. Snowy
curtains adorned the low, square win
dOws, and morning-glOries nodded at
me through the open door as I entered
to take my seat at the family board.
1 Twas faint from hunger, but before my
eyes I saw "nOt that which was nor that
which should have been" OverpOwer-
ing emotions conquered appetite. II
tears had come to my relief could, per-
haps, have laid my will upon my spirit
with the command Of ''peace, be STILL"
But I seemed turned to stone. / made
an Intellectual attempt TO quaff tumbler
of water, and fell back fainting to the
floor.
II think the symptoms are favorable,
madam"
Where had 1 heard that voice? Sure
ly there was magic in il, for / was in
stantly so vividly awake that every nerve
was on the alert.
The clear, bright rays of the full har-
vest moon flooded the little echamberwith
lambent sheen. The leaves of the lux
uriant hop vine fluttered gently over the
window, casting grotesque shadows on
the clean, white bed.
seemed at once to rememberand dis
tincly comprehend the exact situation.
There was, in my own little bedroom,
after the lapse of nearly third of a cen
tury, situated with no alteration in visi-
BILE surroundings, and there was moth
ing TO convince my vision that was
not living over the days of long ago.
Even the terrible, racking headache
with which my childhood had so often
been afflicted was as acute as it had ever
been before. In few, rapid moments /
over-lived the years, and realized that /
was now a wrecked and wretched woman,
whose life-experience had been but gall
and wOrmwoOd.
But why did / hear that strangely
well-remembered voice? Who was he
and what of him?
"Be sure, madam! / charge you fol
your life! Remember to give this po
ton every half-hOur until / return.
shall be here as quick as l can return
from the city," / heard the doctor say.
Directly I dozed away into a fitfu
slumber and dreamed that was stand.
ing above an awful crater The frOwn.
ing precipice on which I stood was quak-
ing under my weight, and Turing flames
came kissing up the crevices, licking
out at me their fiery tongues, while
more and more the beetling crags would
totter, and a strong, hot wind impeled
me on as if to force me right into the
fearful gulf. grasped rocky column
but it proved red hot, and still another
and twas icy cold. knew not what tC
do. Faint and fainter grew NV breath
weak and weaker grew my will, ant
down fell, to light, as l believed, righ
into the awful crater The hissin.
tongues of flame sent up their spira
forms to meet me, and gave up all fo
lost. But all was not lost, for succo
, came when hope and will and strength
departed. \ still, small voice spoke il
my soul the soft, sweet words ''fear not, >
and | felt myself borne upward from tn,
seething pit. 4 long and fervent kis
was pressed upon my fevered mouth, :,
like well-remembered one of long 40,
that in my soul was borne anew a gran,
and solemn joy.
Under this blissful emotion / awok,
once more to consciousness to find m,
hostess watching by my side, and wait
ing with a prescription, which she or
dered me TO swallow. / mechanical,
obeyed, and lay back upon the pillow
peaceful, serene and happy, but for nv
life could have given no reason why.
did l not KNOW" | asked myself
THAT a dream such as | have had was
but the phantom of disordered brain ~
"What doctor did you call, and why
did you call any, and what's the matter,
anyhow?' asked.
1--WE called a doctor named GorIor
from the city. He happened TO be at the
mill yesterday, and my husband knew
he stayed at the boarding house. so he
called him when you tainted. Do Won
often faint ?''
sometimes not for years. Then,
again, frequently"
"Well, you mustn't talk now. We're
afraid you'll have brain fever. Let me
bathe your head and comb out your
long hair. What glorious hair you have.
1t isn't common for a woman of your
age to have such hair"
The good Samaritan bathed and cooled
my throbbing temples and threaded out
my heavy braids, evidently striving to
make . me appear to the best possible adj
'Ah'ase. My black dress had been ex-
--'-'seu Tor her own white musIin
sn;t pre., h"r s' and with my hair arranged to
tb ,' ,ier ianey' the picture reflected from
plain. anything but
Broad daylight had now a,roo., ,
the sound of horses boof, i'eared, and
ing up the lawn. '''i'e tramp
"foure pretty as a picture, sal,
own reflections. me TO my
Presently my ears Were greeted ,-;.,,
an exclamation of surprise: and az.
followed a sound of merry. b.If.s,','
pressed laughter, some hurried admoni