The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-04-21

to endanger her reason, as from a shrink
ing shame that we'll nigh crushed her.
1t was near the close of a pleasant
August day, and Mrs. Andrews was sit
ting in the cabin, we'll propped by pill
lows in the clumsy rocking-chair, and
Madge was reading aloud from a book
the new hired man had loaned her-a
scientific work, treating of the philoso-
ply of future state, in which she was
much interested.
Suddenly she paused, and placing her
hand upon her temples, exclaimed, "Ja-
sons coming homeW
"How do you know?" asked her
mother, looking pale and startled.
81 see him with my eyes shut. He's
a-foot, too. Pill wager a biscuit that
he's sold the mare for whisky"
"Is he sober ?n
az can't tell, exactly. Let me see,"
pausing, as if to consider, with her eyes
tightly closed. "I don't feel dizzy; but
my head aches, my bones ache, my
mouths furred and dry-no, he's not
drunk; he's SOLDERING off; but he's awful
miserable. He'll be sure to be happy
when he gets home, for he's always
happy when he's out of sorts and max
ing everybody else So"
"What time do you think he'll get
here ?'
"About dark, guess; but know he's
coming sometime tonight. 1 feel it in
my bones"
"Ah, me p' sighed Mrs. Andrews; "if
I only were not married! What evil
genius could have possessed me, won
der? Do you know, Madge, that rather
than see you situated as I am, would
gladly murder you, and be hung myself
for having committed the crime ?'
80, mother r' cried Madge; "you
frighten me. Surely marriage is, or, at
least, know it ought to be, an expert
ence to make US all better, purer, hap
pier. It's cares and penalties should
only be so many crucibles of experience
to purify US from the dross of, selfish
ness that is inherent in US all. Yonder
is our hired man. Do you see how dex-
trously he turns everything to the best
account? Don't you note how courte-
Gus and gentle he is in the house, and
how ready he is to do the chivalrous in
all things in a quiet way? Such a
man would be an honor to a woman he
loved. He would be to her prop and
shield. He is as strong and brave as
a lion, and yet as gentle and sympa-
thetic and true as a woman. I fancy he
is like my father"
"Very much" said Mrs. Andrews,
livery much such a gentleman as your
father was, except that he has evidently
been blessed with better opportunities
for mental culture"
"Well," said Madge, ga woman
; proved his ruin; or, rather, the woman
he loved was ruined by man who is
= not worthy to unloose his Shoes"
"How do you know, child ?"
"He told me-"
"IG's very strange that he should thus
confide in you, stranger"
''I was in trouble, mother"
a "You?"
! "Yes-I."
"About me?"
'In part, yes; but in far greater trou
r bic about myself. Mother, are you quit,
: sure that you are strong enough to lis
e ten to something that will both surpris
and pain you ?"
Y "I'm almost WE'LL"
r "And you won't scold me, or go int,
:. Mysteries, or do anything desperate ?"
t 'No, darling"
: "Well, mother, I am married p
e gasped Madge, hiding her face in he
apron and rocking to and fro as sh
o made the confession.
"Whom did you marry, pray ?" aske
:. her mother, in alarm.
n "Don't ask me-"
: "But I must know"
''I will not live with him." erie
d Madge. "He violated his part of ou
e agreement in the outset, aud compelle
II me to violate mine. But that isn't all
y mother. He was the cause of yOun
IT girls ruin"
"Who is he, and what do you NEAR
e Madge? Are you crazy ?" cried he
mother.
n HE is George Hanson, and wish
lie were dead !" replied Madge, setting he
70 teeth squarely together in a way pecu
liar to herself, as she looked up, be
u eyes flashing.
ID "How did it all happen ?" asked Mr.
J. Andrews, speaking as one dazed wit
uncertainties.
Little by little Madge unfolded th
a facts with which the reader is alread
u acquainted, bringing a double troubl
to overflow her mothers cup of bite
s. ness, but, strange to say, imbuing ht
70 with new strength and determination
N that conspired to assist her speedy r,
y covery.
II ITO be continued.l
s. WHAT NEXT "A motherly old won
I'd an entered a jewelry store to select
10 present for her daughter and decided Q
purchasing a ring.