The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-03-15

back, holding his breath in intense ex-


citement.
''That from this time henceforth, un-
til the four years are past, you will
never let me see or hear of you. I'll
hang myself before PH submit to the
compact on any other terms"
''That's it, exactlyp' said the old gem
tleman, rubbing his hands. "Let n
woman alone for managing a difficult
case. No man could have engineered us
half so deftly through this sea of diff
culties."
'FYou said awhile ago, sir, that all
women were meddlers," interrupted FL
len, with a bitter smile.
".S7hush! Don't anger him, DEAR"
said the grandmother, under her breath.
Then, aloud, HYou see, father, during
the coming four years our child will be
all our own. OF course she won't have
other suitors when it's known that she's
engaged. Her freedom will be dear to
all of us.n
"You must go now, or I will break
my trOth, old ghoul p' exclaimed Ellen.
"'Was ever woman in this manner woOed?
Was ever woman in this manner won?'"
said the accepted suitor. "Must CO."
continued he, without one farewell
kiss, one sweet, private interview, one
short season Of billing and cooling with
my future wife?n
"Dare to touch me, sir, and by the
Fates and Furies, will kill youI Yes
terlay / was a child, to-day 1 am a
womanl And remember, all of you,
that if that old ghoul shall dare to speak
to me just once before the four years of
my remaining freedom are over, my
plighted troth will be broken forever.
You have fair warning now, sir. Go,
and do not waste my precious time"
Mrs. Brandon and Aunty Harris stood
outside, listening at the key-hole.
Brandon, a word in your ear" said
the hunchback, as he emerged from the
library, and, leaving Mrs. Harris at the
door, they retreated together to the far
ther end of the hall, where for some time
they were earnestly engaged in whis-
pered conversation.
81 don't like such work as this at all, ,"
soIiloquizid the faithful housekeeper.
at looks to me like plots and counter
plots"
Preparations for the departure of FL
lens aflianced husband were speedily
completed, and the hired man drove
him over to the village, where he was
to take the steamer for New York. Mrs.
Brandon remained a day or two, and
during her stay was Ellen's hourly COM
panion. She constantly sought, by del
icate hints and gentle illusions to her
coming responsibilities as the mistress
of the darcy mansion, to imbue her
with love of wealth, power and posi-
tion. But her admonitions We're lost.
Ellen scorned to reply to any of her sug-
gestions.
''Thank God, rll get free breath
noww she exclaimed to her grand
mother, as she watched the carriage
roll away at last with her governess,
whom she had learned to both love and
hate.
"Grandfather, 1 want you to buy me
a large New Foundland dog and rifle"
care you crazy, child?"
az guess So"
"What do you want with dog and
gun?"
81 want to protect myself"
"What nonsense ~
"Pd humor her, father" pleaded the
grandmother.
So the purchases were made, and ev-
cry day for weeks the ehild-woman
roamed for hours through the enclosures
of her prospective estate, gaining such
control over her canine companion as to
make her feel almost as though good
Bouncer was once more her guide.
CTo be contlnued.)