The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-11-29

make her own toilette, recalling ner
husbands favOrite cOlors, and eNertlhB
her own taste. A crisp, cool white mus
| lin, ruffied and trimmed as fashion dlc-
tated, with knots of blue ribbon at
throat and belt, and confining the lux
uriant waving brown hair, Transformed
the pretty face and figure and bright
ened Helen into most attractive nos
tess. Only ten minutes left for the dln-
ing room. Jane was sure to have
neatly arranged table; but 4 touch here
and there removed all the stiff primness
of James work, while tall vase OF June
roses made the dining room fragrant and
pleasant.
When George Huntley opened his
hall door with his usual weary sigh, his
foot had scarcely passed the threshold
when pleasant sense of rest and relief
crept over him. The long closed blinds
of the open windows admitted the cool
evening breeze, softly stirring the lace
curtains; vases of fresh, fragrant flowers
stood here and there, and upon the open
piano were scattered loose sheets of
music.
In this pleasant room q chubby boy
in white was running to meet papa,
while q smiling wife spoke few words
of welcome. No fretful woman with
untidy dress and rough hair, no boy
banished to the nursery tonight.
George was a philosopher. He made
no comment; but Nellie felt the added
tenderness of his kiss, and noted the ad-
miring look in his eyes, and felt that
her work was appreciated.
Dinner passed OFF pleasantly. En-
couraged by her success so far, Nellie
chatted gaily, and George found himself
] s.f
till long after his usual time for leaving
/ the table.
"You are not going out?r Nellie said,
as she saw George advancing ominOusly
! towards the door.
81 was going to Kate's. VIII you not
come with me?
al would rather have you here"
''Then Twill stay. You have the first
claim, madame and he bowed with
graceful, though laughing, formality.
"Thanksl l was thinking how long it
was since we had game of backgam-
mon."
"I hoped you were going to play for
me-" with a glance at the piano.
81 will. Tonight you must remem-
ber that am out of practice, but after
wards l will not claim that indulgence.
Tomorrow l will resume daily prac-
tice"
"I wish you would" was the earnest
reply. ''It has really grived me TO see
such musical talent and culture as yours
beidg wasted"
1t was cause for regret. Even in that
prelude the skillful tigers regained some
Of their cunning and force, and when at
last Nellie said she was tired, both were
amazed to find two hours had flown by.
Three weeks passed away, and then
Kate came to spend an evening with
her brother, accompanied by the pretty
widow, Mrs. Gordon.
Nellie had scarcely admitted TO her
self why she chose her softest and pret-
test muslin for that evenings wear;
why was she so very careful in the ar
rangement of the POmpadour roll her
husband declared so becoming to her
face; why she selected her prettiest set
of jewelry and crisp new ribbons for hair
and necktie.
Pique, or q more ignoble impulse,
prompted the dashing widow to exert
all her destinations. She played bril-
/ liantly; she sang well; she chatted with
wit and vivacity; but Nellie met her
bravely upon her own ground and con-
quered her. Her musical attainments
far surpassed the widows snowy, super
fetal playing, and her voice was full of
depth and feeling.
The evening was nearly over when
Kate said, "You have quite deserted us,
George. IL is three wseks since you
have spent an evening at our house"
"Impossible. 1t cannot be so long"
Nellie turned her head away TO hide
her glad smile of triumph.
''But it is" Kate persisted; 1--WE were
counting the days this morning"
81 will come with Nellie some even
ing next week. Where has the time
flown, Nell ?n
''There were two evenings at the thea
ter" Nellie said, demurely.
"Nes, and we have been learning some
new duets. And / am reading OweA
Meredith's last new poem aloud to Mel
lie, and we are contriving some addi-
tiOns for the conversatory, that take
time to calculate and plan. Then Nellie
is helping me about some papers / want
to get in order, and
''Stopi stOpl You are pardoned,"
Kate cried, laughing at her brothers
earnest face. "Only, when these pur-
suits will allow you to spare one even
ing, pray remember that you have a
sister. Nell, Walter was saying last
week he wanted to hear you sing that
Brindisi he used to admire so much
am so glad you have taken up your
music again. We are all so proud of
it."
'T mean to keep my practice up
now" Nellie said. ''GeOrgie is getting
so big that mamma cannot make him
an excuse for laziness any longer"
So with promises for an evening at
Kate's soon, the party separated, George
escorting the ladies home. Nellie sat
thoughtfully in the deserted parlor,
wondering if her husband would soon
return, or be detained by Mrs. GOrdon's
charms till a still later hour.
The full time to be allowed for the
walk had passed, and doubt was creep
ing into the young wife's heart, when a
ringing step upon the pavement, and
the rattling of latch Key in the lock
announced her husbands return.
waiting for me, dear?" he said.
swered.
For answer he took her in his arms,
and while he looked lovingly into her
eyes, he sang in low sweet voice
There's no place like home"
So Nellie won her victory, and she
kept the advantage gained.
To WASH FLANNEIS.-Whitefl flannels
may be kept soft and free from shrink
ing, If properly washed.
Nlrue Il.