The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-06-21
CHAPTER TX.

The night following the events re-
corded in the previous chapter, Mr.. and
Mrs Hewitt sat together in the pleasant
little sitting room. The Colonel, with
his feet encased in a pair of slippers OF
his pets make, sat in his large morocco
covered chair, enjoying lengthy detail
of the coming election.
Harry, with his chair tipped back,
seemed to be engaged with his own
thoughts, as he picked to pieces the re-
mains of quill toothpick.
Mrs. Hewitt was busily engaged look
ing over a box of kids which she had
purchased before leaving the city.
''It seems to me, Alice" said the Col
onel, laying down his paper, "that Mr.
PierpOnt left us rather abruptly. Why
did he not wait until tomorrow, after
the picnic"
81 am sure / cannot say why he did
not remain, but 1 presume he left be-
cause did not choose to consider him
the affianced lover of SOnora," answered
Mrs. Hewitt, jerking on pair of flesh
colored gloves, and not even raising her
eyes.
''The affiianced lover! Did he then
propose for her hand ?" asked the Colo
mel, very much surprised.
''He did, and told him that Sonora
was too young TO think Of such things
for two years to come yet; and besides,
I did not wish her to be engaged to any
one for so long a time. wished her to
remain perfectly free to choose for her
self"
'sYou mean for you to choose for her"
interrupted the Colonel. "Why did he
not speak to me upon the subject? ]
think it would have been as well to
have conferred with both"
''Well, that was another of his oddi-
ties, suppose. Then, because l did not
see fit to say yes, he flew into passion,
packed up and left, without even saying
goodbye, though he left little note to
that effect, and thanking us for our
kindness to him during his sickness"
"Well, this is very strange conduct.
I never thought he would act in that
manner" said the Colonel, taking up
his paper "But what does Sonora say?"
"Oh, she is suffering a severe head
ache from last nights entertainment,
and does not think much about it. She
seemed rather surprised when l told her
he had gone, but told me, If I did not
wish to give her pain, never to refer to
the name of Clarence Pierpont, and 1
am sure 1 have no desire to do so. She
is so strange can never tell anything
about her. / thought she did think
something Of him, but it would puzzle
Philadelphia lawyer to find out, /
guess" and rising, she appeared to be
deeply engaged all at once in looking
over some sheet music, which lay upon
a table on the opposite side of the room.
"Well, well, hope my little pet does
not care anything for him, though 1
was inclined to think she did, )" observed
the Colonel, thoughtfully. ''Did she
ever say anything to you, Harry?n
''Never, father. You know it is rather
delicate subject. Clarence told me all
about it," and he gave his mother a
look which brought the blood to her
cheeks. "He said he thought it best to
leave without bidding Sonora or any
of the family goodbye, though he COM
missioned me to do so for him. prom
ised him I would follow the day after
the picnic. Poor Clarence! He is a no.
BILE fellow wish was half as good,p |
murmured Harry, as he relapsed into
his former silence.
"Queer," uttered the Colonel, as he
went on reading. Then, stopping again,
he turned to his wife: "Alice, do not in
huence Sonora. Let her choose for her
self"
81 certainly shall not; but YOU will
allow that it is right for mother to ad-
wise her daughter for the best?"
40, certainly, but Sonora is so gentle
and submissive that you have only to
express your desires, and she is ready to
yield implicit obedience, even should it
be at the risk of her own happiness"
said the Colonel, as his wife left the
room.
Harry still remained perfectly quiet,
though his thoughts were busily at
work within him. At first he thought
he would acquaint his father with all as
Clarence had told him, and perhaps he
would be the means Of making his sis
ter happy; then, again, not wishing to
create scene, and make his mother ap-
pear less than before in the eyes of his
friend, he concluded to LET il remain a
secret between him and Clarence, and
trust to time and circumstances 10 make
all things turn out right, and perhaps
be better in the end, for, should Clarence
fail to be all that he seemed bo oo,Id
exonerate himself from all blan,o and
at least not be the means of cansinc
that sister, who was so dear 70 hin,
life OF unhappiness perhaps.
All, Harry, better had Won let ,.o,,.
first thoughts exerted their sway H..
many hours of anguish would Won bo,.
saved a sisters heartl
Leaving the Colonel to eniov his 80
per, and Harry to mediate over Ia.
friends heart affairs, We will transnort
our readers to Blanehe's home thot
same evening.
Clarence, upon leaving Colonel Hew.