The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-11-06

7
to me as my equal, socially. You are
far above me in moral heroism. feel
as il never can be worthy to claim
you"
"You're more than worthy now, but
you must wait till / get clear Of this
prison ENHANCEMENT"
"Well, darling, rll wait, because
must but 1 am more than anxious to
marry you to-day If you will only con-
sent"
al am SO happy % was Amie's only
comment as she sank into quiet slum-
Der, which, at the expiration of the
two allotted hours, was broken by the
visit OF the physician, who was pleased
to see the patient appearing none the
worse for her prolonged and peculiar
attempt to entertain the right kind Of
company.
A few days passed swiftly away, and
Annie Lee was eonvalescent. The crisp
November air circulated through the
well ventilated apartment, where, sur
rounded with every luxury which
wealth and affection could lavish upon
her, she rapidly developed new charms,
added daily to her originally striking
curves and lines of beauty, and de-
veloped hourly new traits of remarka-
bly, matured intelligence.
The District Court had wound around
its lazy circuit and reached Portsmouth
once more; and the momentous hour
for Amie's trial upon the indictment
found by the last Grand Jury was at
hand.
"You need not attend the Court in
person ct all, my darling" said Melvin,
entering her room in the city Jail, and
pausing, after he had spoken, to con-
template and admire her radiant appear
ance. She was enrobed in stylish
wrapper Of drab ladies' cloth, finished
with quilted silken trimmings of fresh
rose-tint that added beautiful glow to
herfeatures. Ruchings of white crepe die
Iisse adorned her neck and fell over her
hslf-transparent hands in a careless
abandon of luxuriant loveliness.
"Yes," continued Melvin, trying not
TO notice her regalIy beautiful appear
ance, ''its lucky, after all, that you are
sick for now, can shield you from the
disgrace of appearing among lot of men
in the Court ROOM"
"But am not sick, and am going to
the Court in person. 1 have business
there"
MY lambkin, are you mad ?"
"Never more sane in my life, sir"
"But this step isn't at all necessary
"On the contrary it is of the most vital
importance"
at is not womanly."
"What Pr
"Just that pi
"Will you be ashamed of me if shall
go?"
The proud-spIrited young man cast
his eyes to the ground and hesitated.
do not feel afraid to speak your
mind" said Annie, quietly. "a crisis
in my life has come. If I would be
happy-if would be worthy OF you
must preserve my own self-respect. My
conscience and my judgment alike say
to me, Your first duty is to yourself
Clear up your own record, according
to your own ideas of right and justice
and the appreciation of good conscience
shall be above all price,"
? Henry and uncle John soon JOINED
them and united their entreaties will
those Of Amle's betrothed but all to nc
purpose.
'Tf anything is stronger than a won.
ans s0on't, it's her l0iEl, " said uncle John
"We'd just as well yield the point. Be
sides, Pm half inclined to believe She
right"
A carriage was brought, and Annie
enveloped in tasteful wrappings and I
quaint opera hood, from which her curl
peeped coquettishly forth, was assisted
by Melvin to the most comfortable seat
The magistrate, in whose care she haC
first entered the Jail, was again il
charge, but the presence OF the fai
prisoners gentlemen friends prevented
. a repetition of any Of the disagreeabl,
taunts, with which he had added insul
to her injuries upona former occasion.
> "If you feel ashamed to ACCOMPANY
( me to the Court room, 1 prefer that yoI
do not CO." said Annie, turning suddenl,
E to Melvin and confronting him with he
speaking eyes.
'I should feel ashamed of myself, an,
5 be certain that deserved nothing bette
than to be a descendant Of father Adam
! the first traitor to woman, If | shoul
{ desert you now" was the earnest reply
The worthy District Judge, in all th
t dignity of his judicial position, sat i
his chair of authority and looked wit
kindly eyes upon the fair prisoner as sh
4 entered the hall of justice and was in
vited to seat within the bar.
A neat and dapper little lawyer, wit
e hair parted in the middle and delicat
t rattan in his dainty fingers, appeared q
= attorney for the State.
Twelve men sat in the jury box, look
( ing wise as owls, evidently much intel
: ested in the defendant, who flashed
e look Of fierce indignation upon tn
e whole scene, and bit her lips till the
were purple in a successful attempt
her peace.
"Let the defendant come forward,
said the Judge, solemnly.
: Annie threw of her outer wrapping
i tossed back theelegant hood and allowe
her curls, grown thinner by her illness