The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-03-24
decided way, even promising lifelong
obedience without tremor.

armsl, was the only witness. Her con-
gratulations were rendered in a sickly
way, that savored more of regret than
rejoicing. The room was gloomiIy
lighted with a sputtering talIow candle
that shed ghostly glare over the faces
of all present, and the chilly atmos-
phere was stifiingIy oppressive to
Madge.
"Have you room ready for US ?'
asked the bridegroom, addressing the
sickly witness in deferential way.
Certainly" Interrupted the servant
of the Lord who had tied the Gordian
knot, as shining piece of golden coin
passed from the questioner's hand and
disappeared in his capacious and often
empty pocket. ave always have a
bridal chamber, garnished and in
ORDER" he continued, rubbing his hands,
and speaking in deep, modulated bass
voice, that Madge thought was some
how suggestive of molten birthstone.
ave don't want any bridal chamber"
said Madge. "At least, Pm going back
to mother, to care for her till she recov-
ers. That was part of the bargain"
"You can't mean it W exclaimed the
preacher.
81 can mean it, and do p' ...
"But your husband, madam You
forget that you have other duties, now.
Pm sure your husband will not consent
for you to return tonight"
"pd like to see him help itr'
."Bdt you surely wouldn't so wrong
your holy Office of wifehood, which i'm
plies obedience and submission,
ma'am."
"Dont fret yourself, Mr.. Parson," in
terrupted the husband. "She isn't 60
ing back"
"Ain't I, though ?" and Madge sprang
to the door, only to find it securely
locked and herself prisoner.
Murder! fire! help :" she screamed,
at the top of her voice, and when her
husband would have restrained her, she
bit and scratched like maniac.
81 wish you joy of your bargain ~
said the little clergyman.
MRS. Hanson, you forget yourselfv v'
said her husband, reproachfully.
"Forget myself, indeed I' she re-
torted. "It's you that forgets You
promised to return me to my poor, sick
mother in less than half an hour"
'Is that the truth p. asked the cler-
gyman. 81. ....
George Hanson hung his head.
"Of course it's the truth, or Morri-
son wouldn't say it ~ said Madge, as,
like frightened deer which timidly
confronts its pursuers when escape oil
fight is no longer possible, she painted
in their faces.
"You're not Morrison now, Madge
but my own sweet wife," said Hanson
Madge laughed hysterically. 90
should say lOaS sweet ~ she ex
claimed, holding up her hands, il
which fingered some struggling hair
from her husbands yellow locks, the
result of her late conflict "I should
say I aOas sweet ~ she continued, "anC
now, let me go home" .. ...
"Yonr home henceforth is to be wher'
your husband places you," said th,
parson.
'But the contract ~ pleaded Madge
"No contract between husband anC
wife is valid in law" ..
"Then I curse you and your laws
defy you! dare you! George Han
son, if you touch me, I'll kill you ~
"How came you to marry such she
tiger, Mr. Hanson 2" asked the preacher
in astonishment.
"He said he loved me :" cried Madge
"He said my smallest wish should b
his law. He said he needed me to keel
him in the ways of truth and sober
ness. And he said if 1 would come witt
him and solemniZe our marriage, b
would take me right back to my poo
mother, who may be needing me, evei
now" --.. .. ..- .-H
"a mother-in-law is one of th
thorns in the flesh which Benedict
must submit to resignedly," said tn
parson, in voice that was meant as
menace to the bridegroom, and whie
proved a success in it's effect. ....
"You won't gain anything by quar-
reling, Madgey," said the husband
coaxingly. at should be sufficient fc
you, in memory of the holy vows yo
have assumed, that your husband hs
changed his mind. You are to Low,
/. cherish, and obey me, darling. Thi
t last vow supersedes any previous cor
a tract. 1t is for life, too. You have th
t power, Madgey, to transform your hui
y band into a model man; to reclaim hir
n from every evil way, aud lead him i
o the paths of righteousness. This yo
e can do by yielding up your own selfsl
n ness and seifhood. But, if you persi,
r in leaving me alone now, after 1 hav
Il built so many hopes on this opportunit
]. to make you mine, there Is but one a
tentative left me. l will plunge I'M
intoxication to drown my trouble an
y loneliness, and you may gather whit
consolation you can from the proud sa
isfaction that you drove your lawf
husband into evil ways by your oW