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

when they would escort him to the cars IL
their own carriage at an early hour. A
first he declined doing so, offering sew
eral excuses, but at last, overcome by
their kindness, he accepted their invi
tation, and was soon guest at thu
homestead.
Old Mrs. Marsh was delighted at tn,
idea of entertaining the child Of her ear
liest friend, and Captain Marsh shared
her joy in doing his utmost for hi
young friends pleasure and comfort
But how was it with Blanche? All
her heart leaped with Joy at the simpl,
thought.
"Surely fortune favors me-" thought
she. 81 have the game in my OWL
hands nowr'
Never had she appeared to better adj
vantage in the eyes of Clarence than she
did on this day.
The family remained together during
the afternoon with the exception Of
Oracle, who had been confined to heI
bed with a violent headache. The old
people, retiring early, left Blanche to
entertain Clarence, which opportunity
she was glad to embrace. During the
evening he gave her to understand how
matters stood between him and Sonora,
and taking the letter out of his pocket,
which in his haste he had forgotten to
leave with Harry, gave it TO Blanche to
hand to her. Blanche appeared to deep
ly sympathize with him, but added in a
Joking way "that Sonora would soon
get over her distress in the presence Of
the fascinating Norman Mcintosh,
whom she told her she greatly adj
mired," and then remarked:
'T do not see how she can like that
vain, self-conceited man. But Sonora
Hewitt is strange girl. Icannot fathom
her."
"And do you really suppose Sonora
thinks anything of Mr.. McIntosh?"
asked Clarence, suspicion beginning to
be aroused within his breast.
Suppose So" said Blanche. "Why,
did you not see for yourself last evening
how very attentive he was, and how de-
lighted she appeared while listening to
him? / overheard several remarks
with reference to them. Mrs. Hewitt
told me-" continued the designing girl,
that the Colonel was delighted with
the course things had taken"
"Say no more, Miss Levere, if you
would spare me pain. Can it be posi-
bic that she, who appeared so innocent,
pure and lovely, could prove so treach-
erous? Is she, too, allured by cursed
gold?" exclaimed Clarence, passion
ately.
''Forgive me, Mr.. Pierpont, if l have
said aught to cause you pain. 1t was
lnintentional, 1 assure you. l thought
you was fully aware of it before"
''Had 1 been," interrupted Clarence,
II should not have gone thus far and
aid myself liable to ridicule from those
who could act thus base" and rising, he
politely requested light, as he wished
70 retire. Then, taking the hand Of
Blanche, he said: "AIiss Levere, or
Blanche 1 will call you, as it sounds
more familiar, and our parents, you
know, were friends, therefore let us be;
Blanche, shall ever thank you for the
kindness you have done me this night
by telling me Of that which 1 ought to
know. Be kind enough to return that
letter to me, as do not wish to fiatter a
heartless coquette."
'Be careful, Clarence, that you do not
that which you may rue. Sonora is
lovely girl, Notwithstanding she is a
professed destroyer of hearts," smiling
one of her sweetest and most bewitching
smiles.
''Say no more, Blanche. Never men-
tion her name to me. 1 would rather
suffer wrong than to be guilty of doing
a wrong or know that one heart bore a
scar which had inflicted" and taking
her hand, kissed it, as he uttered a gen.
tie good night, closing the door after
him as he went out.
"Ha! ha! ha !" laughed Blanche, as
she heard his retreating footsteps upon
the staircase. Rather suffer wrong
than do wrong hey? Well, 1 wouldn't
not when there is such a prize. I'm
sure 1t is worth winning" and throw
ing herself into the rocking chair, con-
tinued, "HOw fortunate that he should
stop here this afternoon. Blanche, LET
us be friends That is one stepping
stone towards my plans. What will
Sonora say when she finds herself Tilted
for her most confidential friend, Blanche
Levere? Yes, / feel sorry it is true, and
perhaps am doing her a great wrong
but then, on the other hand, it will be
doing her mother a kindness, for she i:
opposed to her daughter marrying poor
man; and she Will no doubt thank me
for ridding her of him. Vain, weak
proud woman. She knows not yet, all
the wears that she has lived, that money
is but dross compared to the pure love
of a devoted heart. She never loved, il
is plain to be seen. The Colonel won
her by his title and gold. Gold! yes,
gold! Well, 1 have enough for bothl
and have him will, or die in the at
tempt! Blanche Levere loves but once,
and once only! / have him in the right
path. 'Tis easy enough to arrange mat
ters with Sonora, and she is so pure
minded that she will never suspect me
Of having a hand in it. Let me see, u