The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1871-10-20


concerned in It,"
"Alas, dear friendl / do not know the
whole truth. You have heard that VIII
liam Snyder was arrested for forging my
fathers notes. Well, he remained for n
number of months in the States Prison
as a convict, and was released after the
discovery that distant relative of his,
who had skillfully initiated his penman-
ship, had been the malefactor."
''Then he was indeed entirely inno-
cent! o, friend of my life, beg you to
prove to me that this is true?"
''My father will prove it to your entire
satisfaction if he has not already done
So"
"Your father will not talk to me about
him. Freely as we have conversed upon
other subjects, this one has always been
avoided by tacit and mutual consent
''Then don't blame him alone if YOU
are equally guilty of silence upon this
very important theme"
Mrs. Lewis, do you know DR.. Cor
don?"
'Has my friend gone daft?'
''Your question doesn't answer mine"
''N6, don't know DIR. Gordon; but l
should like to know who he is and what
he has to do with this discussion"
"Do you believe in mesmeric fascina-
tion?"
81 believe it TO be a very dangerous,
but in many cases tangible and power
full influence; but why ask such ques-
tion?r
Because / am either fascinated or
desperately in love with the physician
who attended me during my recent ILL
ness. Stay and hear me out. The love
that was awakened in my intense imag-
/ ination for that mysterious and gay
young music teacher, who so foully
wronged me, has been my lifelong dream.
During all the hopeless years where
in / drudged and toiled as the legal
cOncubine of the man whose name l
bear, never met an individual, whether
man or woman, whose presence had the
power to thrill me through and through.
But / experience this sensation when
ever / meet the man of whom 1 have
been speaking. | am old enough to know
that it is necessary to analyze this feel
ing and learn just what it means, as | am
resolved to make no more mistakes if /
can help myself"
''AIy friend, do you believe that any
mortal ever truly loves but once?"
81 am satisfied that nobody ought to
love but once" Ianswered drearily, ''but
what am to do?"
"Simply put this recent fascination
far away from you. The very idea is un-
worthy of you"
"Can't you give me any further
information about the lover of my
youth?"
"Alas, no! I have told you all that I
can tell"
''Then, madam, look here" and my
manner grew as imperious as my words;
Ego forthwith to DIR. Armstrong and say
to him that it is necessary that should
see him at once"
} "Mother will not willingly allow him
J to visit you. Remember, dear Judith,
the gossips have been steadily at work
for weeks in the attempt TO sully your
, good name; and my weak mother has
: added fuel to the fire. Don't you think
it best for father to remain away?''
'sOf course ! think no such thing
Madam, do you believe that would for.
, get my honor! If so, leave me now anC
never cross my lonely threshold more p
''No, Judith dear, not that; but do yoU
not think it necessary to avoid as far a'
possible the unjust suspicious of soci
ety?"
"This from yOu? A child of DR.. Arm,
, strong's? A woman who has always
pretended to care nothing for the vague
opinions of the world so long as she wa.
/ doing right? Pm losing faith in indi-
viduals, confidence in friends and hope in
: Godw
2 Judith Reid, can this be you' Hav,
1 you taken leave of your senses ,"
t "Would to God 1 could take leave o
i them. But my racked brain will no
[ become unhinged, and so the torture o
: deep consciousness forever frets my life
n Go to DIR. Armstrong, l say, and tel
L him must see him. Tell him the tim
It for silence is forever past. That am re
= solved to ferret out the truth, and that i
he comes not to me will straightwa,
t 90 to him."
V "He cannot come to-day, my dear, bu
tomorrow you may look for him. vii
e stop the tongue of Madam Grundy b
j coming with him myself; and when yo
o have had time to cool your temper off
little, 1 hope you will have the good, SC
d Der sense to be ashamed of the way yo
Z. talked to me to-day"
o l bowed her out of the apartmer
/. without a word of reply, and watche
5 her as she proceeded down the gravele
e walk with feelings of intense indigna
y ton.
n Her call had been long, and the da
1 was waning into twilight. My ehildre
/ were busy with some gay companion
e in game of croquet, and their merr
l. peals of laughter trilled out upon I'll
% evening air and settled in my soul as
y soothing harmony.
u 'At least" said I, aloud, "my chi
dren do not share my desolation," and
p turned me to my lonely room.