The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-07-24

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lege.
"Oh, no, not exactly that. Twas in the
saloon last night, an she amused a mat
ter of half-dozen of US till pretty late,
and then got US to buy wine. Demons
undoubtedly possessed the girl, for she
gave us lecture that must have been
inspired by furies. Then one man in
our set-it was splendid acting-pro-
fessed to be converted and went off
with her, calling himself her uncle
The proprietor pretended to discharge
her-they all understood ii-an' to-
night the walk Ia viii 10 . big bGsi-
ness"
"Father, how do you know this ?'
"Wasn't I there? an couldn't | see
for myself?r
Melvin left the Office and walked hur-
ledly down the street Suddenly turn
ing corner, he stood face TO face with
Annie Lee. Her baby brother was tod
ding by her side, and he had nearly
stumbled over him.
81 beg your pardon ~ said he, courte-
ously, and then, remembering, as their
eyes met, the dreadful suspicion of his
father, he coldly turned away and has
tened on.
The blood had rushed to Amie's face
as they met, and then as suddenly
forced itself upon her heart as they
parted.
"God bless and prosper him, and sur
round him with every comfort wherever
he may CO." prayed the unsellish girl.
at can't be possible that father tells
the truth about her." said Melvin, to
himself "But I'll visit the walk In
tonight aud watch the denoueB,ent of
the play myself"
Annie made her purchases and went
back to her humble home with feeling
Of peace and happiness awakening ST.
lent song of hope in her soul, and ele-
waiting her far above her present trials.
Melvin, between whose life and hers
there was such n great social gulf fixed,
returned to the Hastings mansion, and
seeking his sister Alice, told her of his
sorrows.
'How'll you get out of your engage
ment, Mel? There's no honorable es-
cape as I see. Net doesn't care n cent
whether you love her or not, just so
you'll marry her, you know"
"And that is the very reason why I'll
break the engagement"
"But you knew all about it all the
time"
"a bad promise is better broken than
kept, sister,"
"Well," said Alice, "rII stand. by
you, but you may look to catch IT, from
mamma and May, TO say nothing of Net
herself"
The evening found Melvin an anxious
inmate of the gorgeous apartments OF
the "Walk In and Welcome"
a dozen girls, attired in the scant cos.
tune of ballet dancers, were whirling in
the mazes Of the giddy waltz, their part
ners being gentlemen, members of fash
ionable society and aristocraticc churches
many Of them married men, with wive;
and babes at home, in sweet uncon'
sciousness that other occupations than
necessary business or club duties be
guiled their lords away in the evenings
The senior Hastings sat at round Ia
BILE, chatting with n woman who wa.
urging him to partake of wine.
: "Why do you so seldom visit us p
asked one of the waiter girls, as she of
fered Melvin n seat opposite his father
"Because the governor usually mo
nopolizes The business or pleasure
rather" he replied, as the governor
thus alluded TO filed a goblet for hi
= son.
I The evening wore on far into thu
: night, but Annie did not come.
81 think, father, that you drew rathe
strongly upon your Imagination thi
morning" said Melvin. az came her
to be convinced that Henry's sister hat
|. become an outcast, and find that sh
isn't here at ALL"
"She was here last night, and went OF
| with q fellow, just rs ! told you. o
j course she's pronigate, or she wouldn'
be found in such place as this"
"And what are we when we are foun'
here? ?"
That's pretty question, boy Wha
t are arc, indeed, but gentlemen l un
n derstand all about you, sir! You're il
d love with that girl an you've got som
l very heroic notions. Do the agreeabl
:. with her all you eau. Pve no objection
e All young men in your position hav
s their favorites."
s The father and son had withdraw
y from the table where they had been a.
p the evening occupied withsan excitin
game Of hazard, and were talking tC
: gether within a recess of one of til
l. arched and curtained windows.
d az must say, father, you're giving m
some very astounding lessons in regar
10 to morals"
IF "Well, son, it's dime you had fe
lessons. You're to be married soon, al
l. you'll need favorites then, for wife
( very apt to be tedious bore"
1r 81 have always supposed that that d,
pended somewhat upon the characte
l. culture, affection and attractions of I'll
Y. wife"
lie "Nonsense, Mel. Wives are we
enough in their place. They legali.
ones heirs and sustain fashionable e
ee tablishments, but ] hope you don't in