The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-02-11
paused amid the hilarious throng to

paused amid the hilarious throng to
study her strange expression.
"You're enveloped in the black cloud
I told you of, mother" she said, at last.
The newly-made bride started as
though serpent had stung her.
"How you talk ~ she exclaimed, ex-
citedly.
"She'd better not be putin on any of
her black art airs around this rancho, or
Pill take the ox-whip to her," said Ja-
son, grinning as he spoke, with def
ant manner that was new to every
member of the family.
''I must say you've become wonder
fully self-important since you've been
to mill! !" said Madge, hotly.
"Another word of yer impudence,
Miss Pert, an Pll brain ye with this
ox-gadm ~ cried Jason, angrily.
30, Mr.. Andrews ~ pleaded the
mother, raising her hands with depre-
eating gesture.
'pve got the law in my own hands
now, ole woman, an I'll show that con-
ceited smarty that she's done lordin' it
over mel" exclaimed the husband.
80, mother! what have you done ?"
cried Madge, as she bowed her head be-
fore the heavy whip, and raised her
hands to avert blow.
Jason Andrews advanced to strike
her, but his purpose was foiled by the
sudden interference of the stranger,
with whom Madge had half-hour be-
fore been quarreling, and who had re-
mained in the background when the
party came up.
GLANDS off, old fellowp' he ex-
claimed, as he caught the heavy whip
and wrested it from the step-fathers
hand.
"Who are ye, anyway ?" cried Jason,
looking abashed and humble.
"George Hanson, at the service of the
ladies, sir. stopped to lodge with this
family over night, but didn't know I
would be needed to protect any of its in
mates from violence"
''Thar's yer horse, an thar's the road,
sir! Vamose, skedaddle, scat ~ yelled
the head of the family.
"But I've promised to remain over
night. Supper's ready, and I'm half
famished. Then, Madge and are 60
ing to read poem together. Sorry to
disoblige you, but really, shall stay"
A bully is always coward. Jason
Andrews was no exception to the rule.
Relying upon the strong arm of human
law, he had returned to Molalla Moor
land, clothed with absolute power over
a woman and her children. 1t would
be easy enough to maintain his superb
ority when they were alone, or when
men were present who should agree
with him; but here was case which he
had not calculated upon, and the worst
of it was, he did not see how to get rid
of the intruder. A coward will always
dodge an issue when he finds his pur-
poses baked by the courageous resist
ance of those who meet him in a fair
fight; and Jason yielded to the pressure
of circumstances over which he, for the
present, at least, had no control, and led
the party into the house, his wife
lingering in the rear to quiet the tu-
multuous feelings of Madge, who shook
from head to foot with mingled rage,
modification, defiance, and surprise.
80, mother! how could you marry
that man? 1t was all we could do to
live under the same roof with him while
we had half the property and half the
power. What We'll do now that he has
secured it all by marrying you is more
than can see."
"God help us, child! didn't think
, of that" said the mother, as her heart
T sank like lead.
"We've got to make the best of it,
now the deeds done, mother. But
you'll see that hold my own"
. Mrs. Morrison Andrews, sad as she
, was, could not resist the charm of
Madge's improvements in house-keep-
ing. While she was busy with her con-
gratulations, the husband sat down to
the table in the kitchen, and began,
with his usual voracity, to devOur a
large portion of whatever was in his
reach.
"Never mind the house keeping now,
mother. Let's have our food before it
spoils. Supper's been waiting for an
hour"
The stranger took the seat indicated
by Madge, and began, in a cool, uncon-
cerned manner, to address himself to the
viands before him.
There were roast pheasants, with
mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce;
cucumber pickles and preserved crab
apples; blackberries and cream; flaky
biscuits and dried raspberry pie, and all
were prepared in perfection. The clumsy
knives, spoons, and forks were secured
to silvery brightness, and the cracked
crockery was scrupulously clean.
''You have treasure in your eldest
daughter, Mrs. Andrews said the
stranger guest, as he buttered his bis
cult, and then paused with lump Of
) the golden preserves upon his knife
shaking like jelly as he held it before
him.