The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-07-25
CHAPTER ".

NllABIEk N.
With his feelings of fexultation changed
10 despair, poor Peter, the injured hus-
band Of Ellen DOwd, returned To his
home and confronted Polly Jones, who,
with the everlasting broom laid aside
for the nOnce, was standing anxiously
at the window awaiting him. She had
expected nothing else but that the de-
cree of divorce would be granted, and
was not prepared for the crestfallen, dis
appointed look with which the man en-
cOuntered her.
"The fats in the fire, Polly" said lac,
sinking into a chair.
"What do you mean ~ was the star
tied query.
81 mean just what / say, ma'am.
The suit for divorce is set aside, and
there's no prospect now for you and me
10 marry till after the fall term.u
The woman turned and confronted
him.
"You don't mean to say that you
didn't prove nothin'?"
81 do mean to say just that. Every
thing was going on just right, and the
jury had their verdict as plain as any
thing all over their faces, when Ellen
stepped forward like one bewitched and
made plea like any lawyer. 1 never
heard anything like it. Then she
showed old Graham's will, and proved
herself owner Of the old mans property
just as I was making up my mind to
buy in the farm at Sherih7s sale in be-
half Of the State. / think, after all, pll
see if l can't make up with Ellen.
She'd be good enough if she had her
own way, and you to DO the work, /
reckon"
Polly Jones took down the broom and
raised a vigorous dust. The lines about
her mouth grew well defined, her black
eyes snapped, and her whole frame
seemed wrought with nervous excite
ment and alarm.
"When do you mean to 90 and see
her?" she asked, huskily.
"Not before tomorrow; but mean TO
go then"
Polly Jones attacked the supper with
n reckless vim. Everything was dis
patched in haste, and when the even
ing's work was done and the horned
moon arose behind the distant trees. she
prepared herself for flight Tying up
her few effects in q little bundle, and
satisfying herself that her movements
We're not watched, she hurried away,
across the Mackinaw and out into the
highway, in the direction of the home
of Ellen Dowd. She found her sitting
in the moonlight with her hands clasped
across her eyes, engaged in abstract
thought The rustling Of twigs in the
dOor-yard reused her, and looking up,
a5F confronted Polly Jones, who, drop
ping upon her knees before her, begged
for quiet hearing. Ellens first i'm
pulse was 10 strike her. The last time
they had met coarse words of insult
loaded the low woman's tongue, and
the last act Of hers that Ellen had wit
messed was her cruel blow upon the
head Of her darling little boy. Some
thing IN the woman's pleading look ar
rested her anger, and listening while
the woman told her story, the troubled
Ellen forgot her own cares.
Long and earnestly they talked. The
silent moon passed quietly behind the
trees and hid herself, rs if she fain wopld
leave them to their secret thoughts.
at was years ago." said the woman
81 was not wicked then, and loved the
man more than my life. It don't seem
right for God to give US hearts TO love
with and leave us at the mercy Of the
men who drag us down. When my
baby was born my mother drove me
out o. doors. Pears like we never had
much love in our family, an was so