The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-15

the party.
They talked of books and music, con-
certs and lectures; and as they were
discussing the merits Of a well-knowr
lecturer, Miss Nunly said:
III suppose you have often heard Miss
Anthony lecture, as well as many Other
distinguished ladies?"
Mr. Powers lip gave the slightest
perceptfble scornful curl as he answered:
''I have never had the honor, Miss
Nunly. In fact, don't approve o.
lady lecturers"
"Don't approve of them? hope you
do not disapprove Of the cause In which
they lecture, do you ?"
'Tndeed do. The ladies are alto
gether too fascinating in their present
position 70 need any change"
81 am sorry TO hear that" she said,
slowly, Gas 1 hoped to find in you an
able advocate for our cause"
"'Our causep And have you then al.
ready accepted the cause of those strong
minded women as your cause?
"Yes, sir, and for it have pledged my
life, my fortune and my sacred honor"
she said, smiling.
"Yes,p put in her father, "and she
never loses an opportunity TO advocate
her cause, as she calls it, And 1 don't
believe she makes any friends by it,
either"
"Oh; well, father, 1 don't mean to
make enemies by expressing my views,
and don't believe do. Do you think,
Mr.. Powers, it ought to have that
efectg"
Certainly not, Miss Nunly. II
would be impossible for you to make
an enemy of any one," he said, drily.
At this juncture Miss Nunly, seeing
the conversation was taking an un-
| pleasant turn, adroitly managed to
change it. But Powers did not stay
long after this little wordy combat.
As he walked homeward, under the
stars, he tried to analyze his feelings for
Miss Nunly. 1t grieved him deeply to
think that the one woman in the world
that he had found to love should go
heart and soul for Ito him) that detesta-
bic doctrine of Woman's Rights.
"But for that" he thought, "she
would be such a sweet, lovable little
thing" Still, he concluded If she were
to become his wife, and go to the city to
live, she couldn't make butter for sale;
"but" thought he, "she might do
something else equally humiliatIng to
my pride. AS her father says, she
would never lose an opportunity to talk
on the subject that despise above all
others. But how foolish of me to, for
one moment forget old Mr.. Rays
words. OF course she would never
marry any man unless he would be
willing to escort her to the polls to cast
her vote in with his"
But, notwithstanding Mr.. Herman
Powers so despised the doctrine OF
woman's equality before the law, he
found himself frequent visitor to one
who SO earnestly pleaded for it. So fre-
quent were his visits that the gossips OF
the town began to couple their names
together. Whenever they met they
seldom failed to have a battle of words.
Still, each time when he left her, he
found himself more deeply in love, so
much so, that he felt to live with her,
with all her strong minded ideas, would
be better than living without her.
One evening toward the close of the
summer he was standing with Nina by
an open window in her fathers parlor.
There was pause in the conversation,
when he abruptly said:
"Miss Nina, 1 am going home to-
morrow, and have come this evening
to bid you goodbye"
"Going homel is it not very sudden?''
"No, 1 have been thinking Of 1t FOR
some time, but have been 10th to depart.
However, my business now needs my
care, and l must 60"
Her beautiful white hand was resting
on the easement temptingly near him.
He took it between both Of his own,
saying earnestly: "Nina, is it possible
for you to think more of me than Of a
friend ?"
She did not answer-did not even
look at him. But as she did not with
draw her hand, he went on: "My dear
est girl, do you not know that 1 love
you? / do, darling, love you better
than life itself. Tell me if you love me
in return. Nina, will you be my wife?''
Still no answer; but her hand trembled
in his clasp. She raised her eyes to his,
and there was a look of such ineffable
love in them that he caught her in his
arms and buried her face in kisses. He
seemed, in truth, to be about to
~Kill her dead with his love,
And cover her up with kisses"
Then she pushed his arms from about
her, saying wildly: mo, no, it cannot
be-"
Cannot be! Why, Nina d? Isit pos
sible your eyes have deceived me? Do
you not love me?"
80, Herman, do not ask me.p
"But 1 have a right to ask you, and
insist on an answer
1--WE could never be happy together -
mot be happy together? Ifyou love
me as love you we could not be happy
apart. But 1 see have been mistaken;
you do not love me-"