The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-05-24

from the crimson-hearted rose that !
swung from the vine over the window, !
She caught sight of those few lines
siNIarriedr7 she said to herself. "What
can do? he doesn't ask me TO love
him, and nobody will know that Paul
has Tilted me-"
The decision was made. Her cheeks
were asky pale as she looked straight
into his eyes, and answered quietly,
"Ges, l will be your wife,
Her parents were pleased that she was
chosen by so well-tO-do a young man;
50 il was all settled, they were married
that same Summer. People thought
she sobered down wonderfully; more
than that, nothing was said that would
lead any one to suppose any change had
taken place.
Yes, she was sobeTed down. She dared
not think of Paul. There was no hope
ahead. Life was time to be filled up
with something, so that she might not
think of herself JOhnwas always Kind,
but she got so wearied of his talk OF
stock and crops, and said to herself, II
must work harder; plan, and fuss, and
hustle about as other women do, 50 that
I may forget, and grow like John"
] Two years went swiftly by. \ baby
slept in the little cradle; MaTtha--no-
/ body called her Matte but Paul-sat
rocking il with her foot as she knitted
a blue woolen stocking for the baby's
father. There was a knock at the half
open door.
az have got into the wrong road; Will
YOU be kind enough TO direct me the
nearest way to the village? ~ said a
pleasantvoice, and stranger stepped in.
She rose to give him the required di-
rection, but stopped short, while he
came quickly forward.
"Paulr'
"Mattie 81
His face lighted up, and he reached
out his arms to draw her to him. With
a surprised, painful look, she drew back.
''Alr. Gardner, this Is a most uneX-
pected meeting"
"Mr. Gardner?n he repeated Mat
tie, what do YOU mean ~
Don't cali me Matte if you please
she replied with dignity. "My name IS
Phillips
"Phillipsr' he echoed. "Are you mar
ried ?'
iThese are strange words from you,
Paul Gardner, did you think was watt
ing all this time for another woman's
husband that | was keeping my faith
with one who played me false so soOn?''
/ "Played YOU false? ] have not. have
come as | promised you. The two years
are but Just passed, and / am here to
claim you. Why do you greet me thus?
Are you indeed married, Matte Gray ~
She was trembling like an aspen leaf.
For answer, she turned and pointed to
the cradle. He came and stood before
her, with white face and folded arms.
''Tell me why you did this. Didn't
you love me well enough TO wait fol
me?" -
She went and unlocked drawer, and
took out newspaper Unfolding it
and finding the place, she pointed to il
with her finger, and he read the mar
. riage notice.
. "What of this?u he asked, as he me-
: her questioning, reproachful look. 80
Matte, you thought it meant me. 1t i
) my cousin. | am not married, nor il
love with any one but your
"Are you telling me the truth?n she
! asked in eager, husky voice.
And then, rs he replied, 'It is true,
she gave low groan and dsank down into
4 chair.
80, Paul, forgive mel 1t nearly broke
my heartl / didn't know that you had 3
cousin by the same name. i ought not
TO have doubted you; but it was there
i'm black and white-and this man, my
husband, came and married himw
With bitter tears, she told him how
it all happened. With clenched hands
he walked to and fro, then stopped be-
side the cradle and bent over the sleep.
ing child. Lower he bent, till his lips
touched its wee forehead, while he mur-
INJURED softly, to himself, "Mattie''
baby"
Then he turned, and kneeling befOr,
her said, in 4 low voice, 81 forgive you
Matte; be as happy as you can" H'
took both her hands in his, and looked
: steadily, lovingly, into her face. Hii
+ lips twitched conyElsively as he rose e
= his feet. 81 have no right here-yOJ
: are another mans wife. Good bye-GoC
: bless yOup'
r He turned, as he went out Of the door
and saw her standing there, in the mid
{ die Of the room, with arms outstretched
2 He went back, and putting his arm
| around her, pressed one kiss TO he
= cheek, then left thehOuse, never looking
z back.
e And she went down on her knees be
side her sleeping baby, and prayed 70
e strength to bear her trial. They neve
= saw one another again.
s7tftuAN y tdIS plt. IltT SLtlMsIl SUI
4 and bright-eyed daughters remembe
} her as loving and devoted mother, he
I gray-headed husband as a most faithful
wife,
r 'Never was q woman more patien
D and kind, and as good a housewife a
/ ever was" he said, as he brushed tn
I back of his old brown hand across hi
eyes while looking on the peaceful face
5 And not one of them ever knew of tia
! weary heart and broken hope that har
died in her breast, nor ever dreamed O
D the sorrowful load she had borne through
e life. rr1r Hzf
The widow of the late Rear-Admira
I Dahlgren seeks from Congress some re
> muneratiOn for the benefit derived b.
, the government from her husbands in
/ ventions in ordnance, of which the gov
/ ernment has had exclusive advantage
resulting during the war in benefit
: which il would be vain to attempt {
70 nrfst Il Of frz llul