The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-09-10

were thrown caTeleSSly UaGhJ ana u
faultless forehead rested upon the snowy
palm of the right hand. A deep sigh es-
capped her. "What shall 1 do? I, who
have prided myself so much upon my
integrity, must now, be viewed in the
light of a heartless coquette ~ @
The enchanting Yespers of the tiny
bird could not soothe her agitated feel
ings, and finally, as if conscious that he
had failed, he buried his head beneath his
golden wing and ceased his notes of hap
piness. ,.........e.. -.
Florence Willard had left the back
woods home of her. uncle, who, in con-
sideration of her years of toll and dissat-
isfaction at his house, had furnished her
with spending money and placed her
under the tuition of music teacher, in
the metropolis of the Territory. ...
Henry Warren, young man of many
sterling qualities, had solicited her hand
in marriage. She had consented to give
him her hand and thought her heart
was to go with it. For three months
this engagement had been acknowl-
edged; but as she was walking the
streets, few days before that letter was
written, she met Herbert Goodwin
The noble boy, who had inspired her
soul with such deep emotion years ago,
stood before her. For a moment their
eyes met, and the buried germ of affec-
ton, that had lain hidden in their hearts
during long years of separation, budded
suddenly into vigorous life. Each
stood glorified in the presence of the
other; but the fair girls happiness was
of short duration.
AS if the cup of joy was worthless,
its contents were poured into her heart
only to be misplaced or troubled to the
depths by thoughts that her heart and
hand were betrothed to another.
1t was enough for Herbert to know
that he had seen her; had again beheld
the ideal of whom he had dreamed in
boyhood, and whom he had sought
since manhood with the energy of un-
dying affection. The meeting was but
for moment, and they wended their
diverging ways through the thronging
crowd in day-dream of future union.
Herbert returned to Oregon City in
the afternoon, told his sister whom he
had met, shut himself up in his study,
and addressed long letter to Florence,
copying soune vcrsrs at tue close, which
Effie had shown him in popular mag
azine.
"What shall do ?" were the words
that again and again escaped the maid
ems lips, when for the fourth time she
had carefully perused the sensible but
passionate epistle.
A servant entered.
"Here, ma'am, a gentleman sent up
this here card. He says he's waited q
half-hour for you and begins to think
you amt comm at all.n
''Tell him Tll join him presently u
she replied, as she glanced at the card
which bore Henry Warren's name.
She pressed her hand upon her throb.
bing temples and tried to calm her ex.
cited thoughts. The servants tread
was again heard on the stairs, and she
arose and descended to the parlor.
"My own Flora You'll rival the
goddess herself tonight at Flora's even
ing festival" said Mr.. Warren as ht
advanced toward her.
"Sit down, Henry; have something
to tell you," she replied with an effort
1--WE have no time now, dear. Weir,
expected, you know, to play at tn,
soiree tonight, and must not be tot
late"
'But don't feel like going"
"Why not ?"
''I would enjoy solitude much bette
than amusement tonight"
"You'll go to please me, won't you
Flora ?"
~ will CO." she said, hurriedly throw
ing mantle around her shoulders, owe
which her raven curIs were twining
'But my hats upstairs. must G
r after it." --n. sE
"Send Mary, and you talk to me,
putting his hand upon the bell-rope.
: "She's busy; I can go,n and she van
ished through the hall.
"What is the matter ?" he unused, q
! he listened to her muff1ed tread upo
e the carpeted stairs. ''Perhaps she ha
, some trouble that ought to share.
3 ought to have consented to spend th
evening with her at home"
The hat was placed jauntily upon th
queenly head. Time was when sh
would have peeped into the mirror, bu
: this time she paid no regard to her pei
sonal adornments. As if 10th to gu
: the spot, she stood irresolute momen
then, falling upon her knees, she praye
earnestly for direction and guidanC
7 from on High. t....,
''You've re-appeared at last p' sal
1 her lover, rather petulantly, as the
J stepped into the street. He tried to tai
4 cheerfully, but the reserve with whic
Florence armed herself, so unlike ht
.. former affability, cast spell of coldnei
: over his ardent feelings, and both fe
relieved when the short walk was ent
ed. A murmur of admiration sounde
> i Hfb o~o,x,JoJ roov,,e M fho., -,