The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-05-10
Why He Looked Ugly.

he's insufierably ugly-his face all
SCARED and cicatriZed, should think by
fire, and you know it always makes
me nervous to look at anything Of the
kind.n
'Poor man! perhaps he got burned in
rescuing some child or feeble woman
from the flames ?'' l said.
"Don't know; never heard; never
made inquiries; you know they only
came to live in our neighborhOod last
summer, and / never dare ask her what
disfigured him, but / wish you would
o, should like to knowr
81 am considerably acquainted with
Mrs. Winslow," ] replied; 81 thought
of calling upon her this morning;
perhaps she will tell me without my
asking.n
''Do! that's dear, good Dolly"
And did.
There was a rustic and flutter of
muslin, the sound of 4 light, springy
step, the glimpse Of a fairy form, and
Mrs. Winslow stood before me. She
was not very beautiful, but sparkling
and vivacious, with glow Of health on
her cheek, and a light in her eye.
/ can't tell what we talked about.
No; it wasn't of balls, nor operas, nor
sights. No; not n neighbor's character
clergyman were not shown up. No; not
q mOrsel of private scandal was cut or
carved. But the time flew swiftly and
pleasantly after dinner, and when the
great round sun was sinking behind
trees that burned and glowed in the rich,
warm light, she came to where | was
sitting, and laid a portrait in my lap,
without saying word.
1t was that of a nOble-looEing man,
with most expressive and faultless
features.
as it your husband ," I asked.
"NIy husband as he was,n she an
swered, with a sigh. ''You have never
seen him?n
! replied in the negative.
at is almost time for him to be here"
she continued. "Nou will stay with US
this evening?n
/ replied that / should be happy to
form his acquaintance, and once more
looked at his portrait.
sHe doesn't look like that now" she
answered, wiping away tear. "Yet he
says,'r and a blush Overspread her fea-
tures, che saws he shall ever have cause
to bless the fire by which he lost his
good looks, but which won him what he
esteemed a thousand times more valua-
BILE"
irWhat was it ?' asked, with an un-
accountable dullness of apprehension.
She pointed archly, and with a sweet
smile to her wedding ring.
HDO tell me the story; l should be de-
lighted to hear it.n
Again she smiled, saying:
II do not know that you will consider
ii interesting; however, several reasons
conspire to make me wish that you
should know all, and since you have
I, Il I or -alI foil
yOu.n
Certainly, certainly"
'rYou see, when Mr.. Winslow first
began his attentions to me, | wasn't at
ali pleased. He was handsome, / well
knew, but had set my mind, very fool
ishly, / suppose, on having a rich
husband, and one that could keep me
above the necessity of work. So /
slighted and repulsed him upon all Oc-
casions, making him feel not merely
different, but scornful and loathing.
Such treatment one might have sup
posed would have quickly obliterated his
passion; on the contrary, however, it
seemed only to increase it.
"AbOut this time / formed the ac-
quaintance of city gentleman, whom
rumOr reported immensely rich, and
whose intense selfishness was veiled be-
meath a manner of the utmost suavity.
His attentions to me were very marked,
and not to be mistaken, and though he
had not spoken Of love, he acted and
looked it, and 1 believed him.
AT this time I lived with my mother,
in our beautiful cottage at North Bend;
the place was very gay, and social par
ties were very large and frequent; /
mingled in them all, and Barton was my
escort Sometimes ] saw Winslow, but
he seldom approached me.
at was in October; the atmosphere
dry and cool. As we We're returning
from party late at night, ! was much
surprised by the appearance in the dis
tance of a deep red light that seemed TO
climb the sky and quench the very stars.
A wild and awful presentiment of ap-
preaching evil at the same instant
crossed my mind.
"Tf that should be our housev al
most shrieked.
"tNOnsensei-it is much farther of,
exclaimed Barton.
"But, unsatisfied, | hurried on, drag
ging him with me.
ave came nearer. My fears were all
too true II was indeed our beautiful
home, wrapped in one broad sheet of
smoke and flame, while up at one of the
skylights stood my motherin her night
dress.
With one wild shrek, / called the at |
tention Of the crowd to her situation. 1
A great number had collected, chiefly /
lor the qualification Of curiosity. Some 4
We're running with ladders and ropes,
otherS shouting and giving orders, which
no one obeyed.
ny mother, my mOtherr / cried:
mother" i''''iioe Vi my
Every moment the flames increased
with great rapidity, roaring like tj,o 80
in storm. My mother stood tI,cra 0 - 80
Yeying the scene with the resignstio,' W nr
4 martyr. i'ii oi
"'Barton! Bartonr ! shriel,o,l. &C.,
Gods sake help my motberi t9I
stood still. I implored him. Al lenr,tI
he turned toward me with a frown. ss,iI ,.l
ing:
az cannot risk my own life to sovo
even your mother
"fCfreat Heavens! and I have loved /
this manri The thought rushed seeth- /
ing and seething through my brain.
0There was a shout, and utterance of
brave, strong words. A ladder was /
placed and man was rapidly mounting
-on-on-through the dense smoke /
wreaths-through singeing flames, |
scorched by the greatest heat-on he
went. 1t was moment OF intense