The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-12-08
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
March was abroad in the land. Ac-
companied by chilling winds and fitful
SHOWS, alternated by brief and brilliant
sunshine that walked to life the early
bloom of springtime, he searched
through and through the rickety roof of
Aunt Judy's humble home; blew ashes
down the chimney bit her tender
chickens with frost nips, and played
havoc with her ducklings; thawed the
snow away from field and highway in
great patches; brought mud and muck
by day to alternate with icicles by
night; and the prospect over all the
landscape within Edna's range of vision
was as dreary and hopeless and chill as
the aching void that slumbered within
her desolate heart.
Her husband came in after Aunt
Judy's departure, sullen and silent.
When he had abruptly left her after her
last cruel taunt, he felt that he would
gladly remain away for all time, could
he know where to go. But Aunt Judy's
home, humble as it was, was better
than no shelter, and he sauntered back
at last resolved to make the best of it.
A kindly word or look or act of recog-
milton or affection from Edna, and all
had been temporarily healed that was
well-nigh a rupture between them; but
Edna would nOtcondescend. She merely
stitched away, triffe faster than before,
upon a patchwork quilt, the material
for which had been surreptitiously gath
cred from her mothers ample store and
brought by the same trusty hands that
had carried her wardrobe to Aunt Judy's
formed patch after patch into shape,
that, though she would always work for
John, and as far as her conduct went; be
true to him, he should never hereafter
receive word or look of love from her,
unless he should himself inaugurate it.
What John thought she could not di-
vine. He was as imperturbable as ada
mant, and it was long before she looked
az bLO lCSaA NOA14C LiC W cso A1OlhlbS VIII
sufficient scrutiny to observe that it was
upside down. This discovery caused
her to curl her lip contemptuously, but
she would not speak.
At last John shut the book with a
bang, and with a desperate effort so faI
conquered his pride that he threw him.
self upon a stool at her feet.
'Irs no use, Edna; I can't live this
wayW he exclaimed, impatiently. "pm
a poor dog, without home or master
I've no resources, no profession, and nc
trade. pve a wife that despises me
and 1 don't wonder at it. I'm going tC
California;
30, John ~
"Are you willing, Edna ?"
"WiLyjng, John! I'm only too anx
ious But you might just as we'll say
you're going to Jupiter"
"I can work my way"
"Pd like to know how you'd worl
your way? You can't drive oxen
you've no horses or wagon, and n,
money nor energy"
Unwise Edna How could you be s.
cruel? John needed encouragement
and you failed to bestow it! Alas 70
Edna, and alas for John!
The husband was already sufferin
keenly from humiliating sense of hi
own littleness, and needed kindnes
rather than censure. He buried hi
face in his hands and wept bitterly
Edna stitched spitefully at the patch
work quilt.
'I wish were dead ~ he said at las
"There are two of us in that cond
tion % retorted the wife. "Anythin
to get out of this ~
"Would you be happier if you shoul
never see me again, Edna ?'' aske
John, his voice faltering.
Edna's expression of contemI
changed to one of pity, and she left ht
needles in the cloth, and in spite of he
resolution, laid her right hand cares
ingly upon his brow.
''COuld you try to love me just Ii
tie EQna :"
1t was her turn to weep now.
"Get up and sit beside me, and be
man "' she said, through her tear
"As you have said, we're Sin for it, an
cannot help ourselves now. Iwant yo
to go to California, but I do not wal
you to go alone"
"Would you be willing to go wit
me, provided I could arrange for vol
comfort on the journey ?r
''Yes, John. Anything to get ava
from the humiliation and discomfort
this dreary existence. feel like a pri
oned eagle here. But what are we
do? You know that and ours wi
need nursing and tenderness. sha
not be able to be of much help to "