The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-05-19
CHAPTER XIII.

IrlenuS repasG WIN quite as Inucn ner-
vous hurry as they had been given.
Once in a while, during the course of
the meal, when the necessity of ap-
preaching him for additional orders was
imperative, Madge detected a wonder
ing glance in his keen yet kindly eyes
that sent the hot blood of apprehension
tingling into her cheeks; but, as he did
not recognize her, she grew more as
sured as she realized that her disguise
was perfect.
'If he doesn't recognize me in this
guise, George won't" she assured her
self, as the gentleman's supper pro-
ceeded in the same nervous hurry in
which it had begun.
''Little one," said he, as he rose from
the table, "are you perfectly trust
worthy ?n
81 hope So" replied Madge, in an as
sumed tone, while her heart seemed
bursting with hope and dread.
"Come to my room when you get
time, will you? l have a little i'm
portant business on hand, in which 1
need friend. What time will you be
at leisure?"
"At nine O'clock"
"And you'll come ?" slipping half
dollar in her hand as he spoke.
81 don't want your money, sir. Keep
it. But Tll come"
Madge thought the protracted supper
season would never be over. One at a
time both business men and loungers
came struggling in, ordering their food
as though the human machines that ca
tered to humanity's very irregular
wants were so many insensate engines
that could never know or feel fatigue.
But at last the long siege was over, and
with beating heart she sought her
friends apartment, to find him pacing
the floor in an excited mood bordering
on frenzy.
"Oh! you're here at lastp' he ex-
claimed, as the tired waiter stood before
him with deferential air.
''Yes, sir. The last conner was a
woman, travelling alone with a sick
child in her arms, and 1 thought 1
should never get through waiting upon
her"
"Well, little one, sit down. You
must be very tired"
81 am not well, sir, else the work
wouldn't hurt me-"
"Your voice, my boy, so closely re-
sembles little lady friends Pm look
ing for, that cannot but speak of it."
SIS she in trouble?"
"Yes, in great trouble"
"And a fugitive ?'
"Yes, fugitive"
"From justice ?"
"No, from law"
"What do you want to find her for ?''
$50 that L may give her aid and
comfort"
"Tell me all about her. 1 never did,
and never will peach on any woman
who is fugitive from law for women
have no voice in making laws"
"There's nothing to tell, only She,
hiding somewhere in this growing
Babel, and her husbands after her."
"And why should she be hiding from
him, pray? Doesn't that look bad p
"He's a scoundrel, and she's pure anC
true. He married her under false pre-
lenses, and she's too pure and true {
woman to peUure her soul by the con
tamination of his conjugal authority
"And what is she to you, sir?"
"a friend in misfortune Her white
livered scoundrel of legal lord is ever
now upon her track. He ought to be il
the penitentiary, and would be, onl!
there's no law to punish any man VIII
doesn't marry the woman he ruins.
want you to help me find my friend"
"Are you sure you can help her
sir?n
81 can at least discover whether
may aid her or not. And l can, if
find her, inform her poor, heart-broke
mother of her whereabouts. She's
jewel, if there are any among women.
"And yoa'll III all things honor an
respect the daughter for the mother
sake.n
'rYes; and for her own sake, and &c
my own mothers sake"
KWhat do you think her husban
would do if he should discover her? H
couldn't compel her to return with hin
could hep"
mo; the fugitive wife law ism
quite as binding as that any more. Bu
he can forbid all persons harboring c
trusting her at his risk, and can lay a
embargo upon her earnings, thereb
driving her to destitution, or wors,
Then, too, he could annoy her col
stantly. He's not above STOPPING
the basest ISLANDERS concerning he
and men are always believed by 9th,
men when they vilify women"
"And you know she's fully justifie
in repudiating counterfeit matrimoni
bonds ?'
81 certainly do."
"And you'll be her elder brother, al