The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-12-11

his rluer was nls lIiShui e'iN -'AsAee4S was
wholly unconscious of her superb APP
pearance as she went dashing through /
the streets of Stonehenge.
81 say Doc, can you tell me who that
Young lady is that goes through the
street like streaked lightning?" The
question was asked by a mild-faced |
young man, with pale hair and reddish
whiskers, as he leaned across the eoun-
Ter of first-class drug store
DR.. Harding was just that moment
busily engaged in compounding some
sort of a prescription, familiar to the
1aateria nledicd, which he had ordered
at his own risk for his mothers dyspep-
sia-burdened patient, and when he
looked up the horse and rider had disap-
peared.
'Tll bet my head twas old Ike Arm
strong's daughter" continued the drug
gisps clerk. "Tye always wondered
how it happened that such flowers as
the female Armstrong; ever bloomed
upon the barren rocks they're compelled
to take root in"
"where can Miss Armstrong be going
in such haste, wonder ?n queried the
doctor, going to the door and gazing up
the street.
''Oh, Doc, you needn't get anxious.
1 don't know that it was her. I only
guessed it."
"Well, it tUGs Miss Armstrong, and
she has gone to my motheris," said the
doctor, starting for his home in brisk
walk.
THAT doctor will lose himself in that
bevy Of Armstrong;, and never realize
the fact to his dying day, If he isn't care
full" remarked the clerk as he proceeded
to restore the disarranged bottles to theil
proper places.
''NIother," exclaimed Ada Harding a:
she peeped from behind the window
: blinds, "a young lady in a dark riding
habit has just dismounted and is coming
up the walk. See. Doyou know her p
"Why, yes; it's Matte Armstrong
Pn guarantee she's after entrappinG
Amos; the baggage ~ said Mrs. Hard
ing excitedly. "She and Amos art
quite too deeply interested in each other
to please my fancy"
"Sh-se-se ~ exclaimed Ada, as the
l door bell rang violently.
as the doctor at home ?'' Matte, whC
e was really in great tribulation, had suffi
a cient self-possession to stand will
5 modest dignity and look in the faces o
}, DIR. Hardings mother and daughter
d and ask the question with unassumini
e self-consciousness.
"Has anything serious happened? l
Ie your mother worse ?n and Aunt Hulda
1t forgot her prejudice in the face of some
p body's real bodily danger.
at isn't mother this time at all. IT
" Nettie. Pm afraid she's killed Whel
ne is the doctor ?'
d, "Here, Miss Armstrong" said thu
. dignitary, who had opened the door an
stood looking into her face with h
searching grey eyes.
Matte blushed and for an instant, r
, membering the old interview, and look
ne painfully embarrassed. Then, recove
,m ing herself, she exclaimed, "Hurry, dc
ite' tor, do! Nettie's had a fall and We
10 afraid she'll die.n
hu Without waiting another instant {
doctor hurried to the stable, brought O
up SeIim, and was soon cantering throu
III the city by Mattie's side, Fastening
the bedside Of the sufferer.
Vi The road, as we have before told "
S'' wound around a tangled ravine, acros
ler chasm made by the wear of the wat
of ages and the home of Isaac Ar
'od strong, though just over the bluff, col
os- not be reached without making circ
Of at least two miles.
ho, Mrs. Harding had for some time b
the spending her leisure hours upon
ual worsted lounging cap for her son,
ole after his departure with Matte, as
the resumed her work, her hands trembl
'iue and she found it impossible to go
ork "Ada," she said suddenly, "what
you suppose would become Of Amo
Dr. he should marry into that odious Al
strong family ?"
"Why, mother? What has put 81
ont q siIlv norton 90 tbo. ,r,o ,-o,,r b,oir
1he ave good reason to be alarmed,
lceu dear. haven't lived fifty years in I
world with my eyes shut. Amos loo
'her upon that girl to-day, in her dowdy
and frowsy hair, just as if he was re
an to eat her. And she-well-she alw
pre- bushes and drops her eyes when
uiiy catches him looking at her. Iwoul
no wonder If they really were engaged.
"Well, suppose they are. Wha
r. / it?
said 'eYou wouldn't need to ask what
the if you'd go and see how they live. 1
and more dirt and disorder and discon
rom in the three short hours that ! spen
arse, their home to-day, than 1 have
anywhere else for many years"
Iden HWeIl, that's nothing. If Amos
lble, a wife that upsets some of his he
long toity notions Of woman's sphere Ish
ddle pity him."
up HBut only think Of the discomfort
table would accrue TO all of us in this
rid home, if he should bring in an i'm
oods, Gus, incapable, indolent, careless h'
but wife and take the reins out OF
lie by hands.n
ainty 'Tm sure could yield the reins
.rself, the utmost grace.n said Ada laugI
Yet, 81 never did fancy housework."
> and While the mother and daughter