The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-10-22


age of spiritual beauty as she sat ST.
lentIy in her husbands arms, watching
the playful maneuvers of the aquatic
fowls. ....H
''How would you like to live as these
farmers do, pet ?"
''If had no ideality, I should enjoy
it very well, perhaps; but in my eye,
there is so much to live for besides what
we eat, and the clothes that we wear,
and the work we do, that could not be
contented with such q life. Here is
Polly with six children. She is happy
in her way, but ifIh had those dirty-faced,
awkward young ones, and that spinning
wheel and loom, I wouldn't live month
wouldn't want to. She has remark
ably strong constitution, but was mar
ried when but sixteen, and the hardship
she endures will cut down her strength
in the prime-or what ought to be the
prime of life. She'll live few years
longer, and then, like Silas Hill, Sam
and the children will be left widowed
and .motherless. He will think the In
visible hand has bereft him, mourn for
her while, and then marry somebody
who will live off Polly's industry"
"Are you turning prophecies, pet ?"
'Tt requires no great degree of critical
aeumen to prophesy that, my DEAR"
Florence entered the room. "Do in
terrupt q tete-a-tete ?'I
'Not at all, Floy. You are one of
those true friends who never interrupt
the felicity Of a private chat"
'"Tnank you, sir; but our hostess
wants to know If Birdie would like a
light repast {? She says-and there is
more truth than poetry in the assertion
that young husbands had plaguy sight
better think of givin' their wives some
thing substantial to eat, than to be
feedin' them on love am duck pon's,'"
said she with roguish laugh.
"LOoE at the pond and those ducks
and geese, Floy," said Effie, interrupt
ing playful answer that was forming
upon Hubert's tongue.
81 can see those sights without you,
sis. You go to the kitchen and eat that
delicate dinner. Hubert may go with
you, if he'll promise not to eat all the
goodies himself.D D..-
The dinner had been prepared with
care. A piece of chicken broiled to a
delicate brown, piece of toast, and a
baked apple from which a pale, amber
foam was Oozing, was set before her,
upon the end of the long dining table,
which was covered with a snoW-white
table-cloth.
'I hope, Effie, that you can make out
dinner. I told Polly we must have
everything nice. 1 have the nervous
headache myself sometimes, an can't
eat like common folks for two days
afterwards"
"Thank you, Mrs. Gray. This re-
minds me of my mother. I've had the
headache quite frequently for several
years past. I hope life in the country
and cessation of study will cure me of
such attacks.Y
Hubert thought of the long years of
his desertion, and of the many times she
had suffered from these attacks when
he could not be with her. 'T don't see
how you can love me-" said he, taking
her hand. t
"Why, dear 7n
"Because neglected you so long"
'It was not your fault"
"Yes it was. If it had not been for
false pride, I would have written you,
and ascertained the truth long ago. /
believed you false, Notwithstanding your
innocent pledge and honest letters, to
say nothing of my boasted faith in my
chosen one.n
Effie stopped eating, suddenly press
ing her hand to her throbbing TEMPLES.
''I fatigue you with my talk, dearest.
Come into the other room with me and
sit upon the lounge. You can rest that
aching head upon my bosom"
The evening was growing cool, and
Mrs. Gray built a cheerful fire. The
lounge was set before the broad fire.
place, and Effie disposed herself upon it,
supported by her husband. Florence
procured a napkin wet with cold spring
water, and-lsid it.upon her head.
"What, Enie! Can't ride from here to
Stanton's without getting sick? l
wouldn't own it, that's fact" said
Farmer Gray, as he and Herbert came
in from Stalking out' the horses.
''Hush, Joseph" said the old lady.
'sThe poor child can't eat bekase her
head hurts SO, an we want her to rest.n
81 wouldn't give a snap for sick
wife," he answered, with benevolent
grin.
The next morning they were on their
way to Uncle WilIard's by sunrise.
The rapid riding of the day before was
changed for a more gentle gait on Ef8e's
account, and at noon they halted in
front of Mr.. Willard's corral. His band
of cattle had become 50 large that said
corral extended over the entire front
clearing, and they reached the cabin by
letting down two pairs of bars. Mrs.
Willard appeared glad to see Florence,
but cast half-shy glance at the Other
visitors, and a weary one toward the
children, who had retreated to the chin