The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-05-12
"oh, notbin' particular. Women are

seemed to me as though the angels sent
her when she came. 1 know she hasn't
left good husband and pleasant home
to go out and buffet the worlds waves
alone. L knoaO she hasn't"
"Td like to know how you come to
know so much, Jane? There's some
thing aOrong, as sure as you're born"
"But not with her."
"You don't know that"
The wife was silenced, but not con-
vinced; and Madge, poor, suffering,
weary, soul-sick child, tossed through
the long dreary night upon a couch of
sleepless anguish, enduring the insult
ferable agony that none but women in
like situations can appreciate or imEg-
inc. She tried to pray; but the words
she would have uttered dried and died
upon her tongue.
"Its no use," she murmured. "I
must be my own savior. 1t is not pos
sible that this cup shall pass from me,
and 1 will not mock my Heavenly
Father by asking for a boon He does
not choose to grant me-"
The mistress of Madge's temporary
home was able to preside at breakfast
the next morning, and Madge was
spared the inquisitive scrutiny of her
host as he drank his coffee in silence,
while she washed dishes in an adjoin-
ing pantry. Suddenly a new idea, for
which Madge had long been hopelessly
cropping, took possession of her soul.
'Tll tell them my story and throw
myself upon their generosity. There is
no other alternative" she exclaimed,
desperately.
Not hesitating another instant, lest
her courage might waver, she appeared
before them and began her story, paus-
ing not till she had made full confess
sion of the facts already known to the
reader.
"And now, you have my history, can
you give me food and shelter for my
work ?" she asked, abruptly.
"Tm poor man, and can't afford
wages, only for the week." replied the
husband, 'and don't like to give shell
ter to another mans wife. 1t looks bad.
He can take yok wages, too, and can't
help myself. Besides, he can prosecute
me for harboring you if he likes"
Every well, then. Give me my
weeks wages. I've earned enough to
pay my board for day or so, and I've
saved you fifty dollars in DOCTORS bill,
and no knowing how many thousands in
restored wife. You know she was
sinking into a decline when I came
Do you know anybody in all Portland
who has sufficient moral stamina to give
fugitive wife employment"
al don't, ma'am. My advice to you
is to go back to your husband and re-
main with him. There's entirely too
much of this divorce business going OF
of late"
"And you'd have me to stultify my
own selfhood, and sacrifice myself oil
the altar of adultery, would you ?"
"Oh, as to that, you can't find a vir
tuous man anywhere; at least, not be
fore they're married. All men mus
SOW their wild oats sometime"
Madge pressed her hand to her throb
bing temples, as if to stif1e the pail
that was racking her weary brain.
care my wages ready ?" she asked
after painful silence, her voice sound
ing so harsh and cracked that it startle,
her.
Certainly. Here's your money"
-"And you can't give me shelter, evel
for little while, till I look up anothe
place?"
"Pd rather not. Pm poor man, jus
getting start in the world, and can
afford to have any trouble"
"Very WE'LL" said Madge, rising; 'pl
go as soon as 1 get the morning wor
DONE"
Her employer was soon off about hi
business down town, and Madge hurrie
about her work with a nervous energ
that left nothing unfinished.
By dint of diligent inquiry, aided
the intercepted letter that belonged {
right to Madge's mother, George HaI
son was enabled to track his bono
: woman to her place of refuge, an
would soon have confronted her, but fC
the fact that her employer had told hil
that, finding she was wife, he had di
missed her and had no longer any clU
to her whereabouts.
"I see George Hanson coming! WIS
shall I do? Where can you hide me
Oh, be quick !" cried Madge, as 81
quivered in every nerve.
( $50 up stairs and stay there" W,
! the quick reply. "I will tell him thi
my husband discharged you this NOR
r ing"
Madge barely had time to retreat
her room and throw her weary and e,
cited frame upon the bed, before h.
lord and master caused her still great,
trepidation by peremptory knock
the front door.
The pale wife of her employer, vii
! the babe in her arms, bade him ent
and be seated.
SIS Mrs. Hanson hereW
} The question was asked in a con