The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-07-11

would TO heaven never came 10 any |
other woman than Ellen Dowd.
UDisgraced! Ruined! Robbedw she
moaned, and when Uncle Jacob entered
the house, stomping the snow from his
boots as he came, he found her seated
upon the floor, repeating over and over
the dreadful words.
The blight of r keen disgrace settled
itself lqaon the kind, good heart of I'm
Gle Jacob like a funeral pail. He had
no courage to resist the accusation after
he had fully comprehended its import.
With his chin buried in his breast, as
though guilty of deeds from which his
inmost soul shrank instinctively, he
murmured, "AIy heart is broken, Bet
sey. / shall go to you. You will not
believe me guilty. Here is something
for you, poor child. I've been to town
and fixed it" tossing Ellen a package.
When the rosy-hued sun of the morn
ing crept over the snow-wrapped ma
Piles, while yet fitful wind gusts howled
down the chimney and through the rus
tic gables of the old log house, Katie
Hamilton went TO his room 10 call the
old man to his breakfast. AS she
opened the door a startled scream es-
capped her, which drew Ellen to the
door.
Stark and stiff upon the bed he lay,
his hands folded peacefully above his
breast, his eyes half closed, and sweet,
radiant smile upon his face that was in
itself refutation of guilt.
Gossip in the neighborhood was at its
height. A few, rough, honest-hearted
friends assembled in response TO jake
Hamilton's hurried alarm, but not one
woman in the vicinity could be induced
to enter the house.
"He's a judgment Of the Lord for his
wickedness," said one.
''No wonder he died, /" commented an
other "I always did think he had a
suspicious way"
"Pm sure Tee thought for long
time that something wrong was going
on in that. house." said third, with q
look that meant volumes, while n
fourth, who dared TO hint that the
whole story might be false, was most
scornfully rebuked by the pious tattlers.
Ellen moved about the house with a
quick, nervous step during the prepare
tions for the burial. Her hand shaped
H. olor-o,,f lsftlo or,,o p,,,,fs x,-;fl,
the plain, maple coffin was adorned,
and which gave to the pure, white locks
upon which they rested around the
smiling, wrinkled face an air Of added
rest and comfort. These little acts oi
human kindness We're interpreted n
fresh evidence of guilt by the jaundice
, eyed neighbors, who felt that their Owl
purity would be enhanced by deel
anathemas against the dead. Ever.
p innocent and natural act Of the poor
, hunted woman was magnified by tn
speetacles through which these peopl
4 looked into some demonstration of un
$ holy passion, and when the simpl
o burial rites were over, and Ellen an
# her niece retraeed their steps 10 th
q lonely cabin home, they were met 9
4 the door by Ziek Hamilton, who,
add to the poor creatures persecution
q took Katie away "lest she should 1
q disgraced by contact with a falle
n woman"
Y Ellen Dowd had suffered so muc
( that she could scarcely feel the weigl
10 Of an additional sting, yet when Kati
n in tears, gathered up her clothing al
n the simple keepsakes that the lovir
hands now cold in death had given he
= and as she started away in the gloan
10 ing, not daring to look in the eyes
her poor, persecuted aunt the lone
n creature locked and barred the door
,e sat down before the blazing fire
,s logs and wept in silent bitterness.
Blessed tears! They come TO morta
~ oft when but for them the O'er-tri
A. brain would lose its balance, and Il
m sufferer become raving subject of di
he jointed dreams.
ul A loud rap at the door terrified ht
Starting up, she examined the locks
nd see that all were fast, and sat doy
ty painting in her chair. Louder grew {
to raps, and soon the well-remember
voice of DR.. Goff, who, having been a
ou, sent on professional business, had fail
I'VE to return in time for the burial, W
RS heard in hearty tones entreating her
her let him enter. With sudden hope :
undid the fastenings, and the good
nat Doctor, with sadness in his face a
nst voice, began to denounee the poor S
the ferer's defamers.
ess 'You are the first person who
said one w0rd in my favor or given
inc one spark of encouragement" said 5
ith mournfully.
yer ats the way of the world" he 81
inc bitterly. "Men and women are c
scious OF so many sins of their own t
NJ they are ever ready to accuse other
are cover up their own evil deeds. w
md do you intend to do?"
Gus Ellen looked up dreamily.
ing 'Thaven't thought Of doing anythi
AHe
eks sir. This whole trouble has fallen a
me like an avalanche. / left the ho
las of Peter Dowd, which by all ms
she right is mine as much as his, TO pro
set myself in my feeble health from con
bial oppression that / was not abl'
city endure. Peter knew all about it,
Ugh, swore that he would be avenged. Fa
T,Ilx, l,ae he lranf hIa yOuu