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

Herman was going now to apol-
ogize to Nina; to tell her that he had
become convinced that her views on the
snbject about which they had quarreled
were correct; bid her God Speed in the
work she had undertaken, then say
goodbye and depart.
How familiar every object around him
lookedl How little things had changed
since he had first set foot on Mr.. Nunly's
grounds, year ago! He rang the bell,
was shown into the parlor, and found
himself face to face with Nina.
Of course, they were somewhat en-
barrassed at first. They could not be
otherwise. But gradually they grew
more at ease, AMI kept the conversation
going without trouble.
Very abruptly Mr.. Powers said
"N1iss Nunly, heard your first effort
at lecturing."
"Indeed ~ she said, blushing. "Ther
1 suppose you had tue pleasure of see
ing me make myself ridiculous >"
"On the contrary, I have come to con
gratulate you OH your success, and tt
humbly beg your pardon for having
been so ungentlemanly as to ever ute
those insane words. Am l forgiven %
"YOu were forgiven as soon as they
were uttered, that is, if there is any
thing to forgive, for you have perfec
right to your opinion"
"WeIl, I have changed my opinion
now. have found out that woman
can lecture before a large audience, and
still be woman. In fact, Miss Nunly
you succeeded in removing the last one
Of my bitter prejudicesa against Woman's
Rights; henceforth l am strong advo.
cate of their cause"
81 am very, re,y glad to hear that, Mr..
Powers, and very happy to know that l
had anything to with your conversion -
For some time after this they both sat
in silence; then, rs if struck with a sud-
den thought, Herman crossed over to
Nina's side, saying, "AIiss Nina, I came
here tonight intending to make my
Acknowledgements and then leave you
forever; but ! find that your presence
has the same power over me that. it
used to have, and cannot leave you
without first asking you if you will not
let me assist you in your work. Nina,
there was 4 time when the Woman
Question was the only thing in which
we did dot agree; now we agree on that.
You once confessed that you loved me-
Is that love all dead or has some one
else taken my place in your affections ?
love you now as passionately as l did
year ago. Nina, have you ceased to
love me? Can you trust your happi-
ness in my keeping?"
al have loved you all the time, and
this is the happiest moment of my life, :"
she said, with a look of perfect trust.
And then for the second time he
clasped her in his arms, and this time
she did not struggle to free herself.
They sat for bIissful hour talking of
the future. Then papa" and mamma"
must be called in and consulted. Every
thing was explained satisfactorily to
them and they said Eyes" without any
hesitation. That night when Herman
returned to his hotel, he was too full OF
happiness to sleep.
What need to linger over the days
that followed? Suffice it to say that
when at the end of fortnight Herman
bade Weston adieu, it was arranged that
in the golden autumn days he should
come and claim his bride.
In the meantime, there was plenty of
work to be done. 1t had been arranged
that he was to close out the business that
he was then engaged in, and Nina was
to sell her cows and after their marriage
they were to become partners in some
kind,of business suitable to both, thus
demonstrating this idea of equal rights.
On the first of October they were
united "for better or for worse"
Nina Nunly Powers does most of her
work for the woman's cause with her
pen; but occasionally she consents to
lecture before an appreciative audience.
AT such times her husband sits looking
admiringly on.
And their elegant home is the center
around which revolves large circle Of
the strongest minds of the age.
valedictory of his Honor the Mayor o.
n.