The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-10-02


not be Of any real assistance to you
while perfectly helpless myself, 1 went
back like the prodigal son to my ances-
trail home. And to-day, my dear child,
come back to you q wealthy man.
having fallen heir to my grandfather's
estate in England, which sold for five
hundred thousand dollars. But for you
l should yet have been a homeless vaga-
bond, and now, my pet, dry up your
tears. I'll get you out Of this and pro-
teet you from all i'll from this time for
ward"
''Uncle, dear, Pm q thousand times
obliged to you, but never will be re-
leased on bail. I'll die before I'll leave
this prison, even temporarily, with a
tarnished namew
That's Ainslee blood, and I'm proud
of it,n said the uncle, "but can't say
Pm proud Of Henry Lee.n
"You ought to be-" replied Annie, re-
prOvingly. "He's done far better for
himself than most boys with his oppor-
tunities would have DONE"
"How like women!" exclaimed Mr..
Ainslee. "Their fathers, husbands and
brothers are always exceptionally ex-
cellent, no matter what they do"
81 must go to mother with Melvin's
message" said Alice, interrupting the
conversation.
az think can safely unmask before
many days" glancing at Annie with q
radiant smile.
"Go and God bless you, darling"
Annie replied, her face beaming with
hope and happiness.
al have a very important dispatch for
Mrs. Hastings, and must see her alone" f"
said Miss lie Clerq to May, after having
been shown into the Hastings reception
room by the porter, whose knowledge OF
English was confined principally to "no
sabe" and cheap muehee don't know"
81 am sorry, but mamma is not able
to see company" said Miss Hastings,
coldly.
''Is she able to hear good tidings from
her son?" and Alice trembled violently.
80, yes; give me the message and !
will deliver it,"
'I have instructions TO perform that
duty myself Please say as much to
Mrs. Hastings, won't you?"
The invalid's consent to an interview
was eagerly given.
May, who was unusually busy that day,
being engaged with her younger sisters
in decorating the east room with flowers
for the grand wedding that was to come
off on the morrow, had no time for the
indulgence of curiosity, and so left the
two alone at once.
Alice controlled herself with diff
Guilty. Her mother had failed rapidly
since their last interview, and the thin
hands and transparent skin revealed the
near approach of material dissolution.
"Pardon me-" and Alice trembled n:
she spoke, ''but 1 have news from you
son, and felt it my duty to impart the
information TO yourself"
"How did you get news of my son p
and the invalid looked at the brown
. checked milliner with a startled, inquir
, ing stare.
''I received this dispatch to-day" ex
= hibiting the paper and reading its con
tents aloud.
} 'How do you know it is from m!
t son2'' and the poor mother looked as
afraid to hope, lest anticipation shoult
+ end in disappointment.
I "Can you bear to be made Ter!
. happy ?"
Alice asked the question suddenly
: and with vague feeling that she ha,
e made a blunder.
'I don't know, dear. 1t has been
o long time since was happy" and th
o invalid closed her eyes to keep back th
: rising tears.
"WOuld you be happy if you could sc
/, Melvin and Alice, and know that the
n were doing well?"
r "Can you bring me reliable tidings G
my children ?" walled the bereave
. mother, clutching the hands of her visi
I tor, and looking into her eyes like
hunted fawn.
r 81 can, if you can bear to hear goo
news"
. 81 can bear anything better than thi
prolonged suspense. Tell, oh, tell m
: what you know"
J. "Melvin is i'm New York, and has aC
quired much fame as first-class artis
He is coming home by the twentieth, ,sn
n this is already the tenth of the montl
Alice is in the city"
"Whdtg In Portsmouth, ?''
!! ''Yes.n
"And tCeUg
5 Perfectly"
II 80, tell her to fly to me! My poor dea
loving lamb. How my soul pants f
Re her presencew aud the mother covere
her eyes and wept silently.
g "Iou must prepare to see her in dii
guise, but successful, respected al
1t healthy"
lr 80, so to her and implore her to Wis
her mother, won't you, darling"
"Nothey, don't you know your child
lie am Alice Hastings, your own lovin
daughterr ~ and Alice stole her arm
ct about her mothers neck and covered b,
IA faaa with kisess