The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-03-29

=
have come for counsel. That old ghOul
that isn't worth killing has demanded
the whole of the Darcy estates as his
financial right. He became my grand
fathers surety for an immense amount,
and to satisfy the obligation my pater-
nal guardian has resolved to marry me
to him without the four years grace
that were nominated in the bond"
"Well, Miss darcy, what is your pro-
posed plan of action? ?" earnestly asked
Henry Jones.
''That is just what I should like to
know, sir. Idon't care a straw for the
Darcy estates, but if by sacrificing my
self 1 can keep a roof over the heads of
my mothers parents, don't know but
I ought to do it."
"Stuff and nonsensep' calculated
Aunty Harris.
'Tll not sit tamely by and see you Of
ferred up on such a shrine as thatr' said
the hired man, excitedly.
"But how am going TO help it?"
"Ellen, will you marry me '' and the
stalwart man leaned forward his hercu-
lean shoulders and gazed earnestly into
her eyes.
Ellen blushed painfully and bowed
her head in confusion.
''I can't give you Darcy estate, my
dear, but have strong hands and will
ing heart"
81 do not love you, Henry Jones'"
"You will learn to love me, 1 am sure.
I have told you that am not exactly
what / seem. Become my wife and l
will tell you ALL"
'Henry JONES'" and the slight form
grew proudly erect, "you must not talk
matrimony to me, even under the great
temptation to escape my present peril,
unless you tell me who and what you
are"
ado you then give me any reason for
hope?"
'Tell me your history and see."
"Will you promise to keep my secret
well?"
"Yes, if Aunty Harris can be lis
tener."
''Then Aunty Harris may listen. My
name is Peter Dowd."
Ellen started and gave n slight scream.
''That was my fathers name," she said.
as it possible that you are relative of
his?"
AYE, and of yours too, my jewel.
Our fathers were cousins. They belonged
to decayed Southern stOek-all of them
too proud to work and for several gener-
ations too poor to live without employ
ment. was brought up n poor, proud
young man, without expectations. The
first real hard service 1 ever performed
was on this farm. 1 ran away from
home to find place where it was moi
considered disgraceful to work. L as
sumed the dress of a rough laborer
chewed tobacco like a fool-no wis,
: man would do so-and as good fortune
would have it, you were my first an'
only employer"
ayes, / remember" replied Ellen
r speaking slowly, and then a gleam o
momentary amusement flashed acros
her face. az remember, too," she added
''that one of your express conditions o
r acceptance was that you were not to b
bossed by a woman"
''Didn't 1 waive that objection final
!, Iym
ayes, I believe So" bowling her hea
o upon her hands.
r 'sNIiss Darcy, Ellen Dowd, look
n me. stand ready to avert fate fror
n which your inmost soul recoils. Yo
are about to be sacrificed on the altar {
q mammon; about to receive the embrace
and caresses of an object you loathe,
+ man who cares only to possess you, n
v gardless of your own happiness. al
: ready to protect you. UnfOrtunatel
,, for both of us, am as poor as you wi
be when that old villain claims this fin
= estate as his own. AS have no none,
n I can offer you no legal protection e.
\ cept marriage. L am willing to wor
N for you-to live for you. Once NOR
20 will you be my wile
"And my grandparents-must lea'
10 them to their fate"
NJ 'sYour mother left them thus"
y "And brought herself to misery al
m want and death. Oh, Aunty HarrI
advise me. 1 know not what to do
and the poor child burst into tears.
at 'rm sure don't know how to advi
you, child. We married-my man al
1t. I-because we loved each other; and
don't know how to advise people WI
n don't take love into account" repli
ng the woman.
lie "But, Aunty, listen. Shall 1 ST
nd here and marry-ugh!-thata abomin
lv able, snaky excresence of humanity al
ba make my life n constant immolati
ss upon the altar of hate, accepting as
nd compensation this home for my gran
m parents, which would be hell to N
I'd. or must take this man, my kinsma
De- whom 1 do not love-though L resp'
er- him-to be my welded husband and
til cept with him life of poverty a
ng toil?"
"Your duty is to yourself, poor chi
,ut Your grandparents have no moral rig
ore to command you. wash my hands
he the responsibility. God knows it tror
Try les me, though"
e q Ellen raised her slight form to
fullest height, looked long and earnes
ck at her relative, who studied her featu