The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-04-14
CHAPTER XVIII.

had found time during the afternoon to
fit up for his accommodation; the elder
members of the numerous household
were early consigned to their beds, in
order to insure perfect quiet in the
house, while Mrs. Perkins, obeying
Madge's command, dispatched to the
nearest neighbours the two younger
children, with directions to remain
away till she should send for them.
Throughout the lonely hours of the
silent night she essayed to watch beside
her mother, scarce trusting herself to
doze lest some change in the patient
might pass by unheeded. No sound,
save the steady breathing of the slum-
berer under the influence of a powerful
opiate, accompanied the ticking of the
little clock that aimlessly dallied with
the plodding hours.
But Madge was occupied with herself
and her own perplexities.
"Mother will awake albright, know,
for 1 feel it in my bOnes," she said to
herself; "but will dare to tell her that
am bound to an ill-starred fate, even as
she is? o, my God, why can these
things be? Surely marriage ought not
TO be so full of emptiness. All there is
of it that ought not to be, exists through
One-sided power. l understood it plainly
enough when my mother married Jason
nY,1xr ,hnn a
my turn to rush, like fascinated moth,
into the blistering blaze of an imagin-
ary experience, that 1 was blinded with
the light of love and became a prey to
flames that were too powerful-that
burned where they should only have
warmed and comforted me. Why did
George Hanson cross my path, and why
did 1 so dearly love him AS he was
to me only three days ago, I remember
and love him still. As he has been
since 1 became his property, L rebel
against loathe him; and that, too,
because I cannot help it. But what
shall 1 do? Why have 1 learned this
bitter lesson by personal experience ?
Why should not this cup pass from
me?"
A rap at the door startled her.
"Who's there ?" she asked, in terror.
Somehow her courage had forsaken heI
lately.
at is I, Mr.. Morrison, your hired
man. Can be of any service to you?'
81 haven't asked for any help" an
swered Madge, bridling, for she was
learning TO be suspicious of all men.
"I know, madam; but it doesn't seen
fair that you should be the only watcher
in a room with so sick patient. How
ever, if you prefer to be alone, hav'
nothing more to say"
Madge had opened the door while hi
was speaking, and had half admitted
him before she was aware of it.
at is lonely" she said, alphabetically
'Pardon me if was rude. 1 am il
great trouble"
"Can be of any assistance to you p
asked the man again, bending over th
sleeping patient and listening with sat
isfaction to her measured breathing.
There was something in the air of tn
stranger, something in his honest, sym
pathetic gaze and pleasant, kindly voic
that reassured her.
81 see that I can trust you," she sale
frankly, "and want your advice. pv
been and acted like fool"
''In trying to cure your mother ?" an
the visitor looked deeply surprised.
mo, no. Mother will be all rigl
when she wakes. She was feverish an
restless and couldn't sleep. gave h'
a powerful vegetable opiate"
"What was it ?n
''Thats my secret"
t'I beg your pardon. didn't mean
purloin from your profession" and NJ
Morrison smiled meaningly. "But WI
do you seek my advice ?"
al want to know where to 60 or VIII
to do to get rid of a matrimonial ba
gain that has proved fraud of the fir
order"
Matrimonial bargains are for lii
my dear madam"
$50 thought when I entered the I
lation. But I find to my cost tn
while the bargain is binding in eve
sense upon me, it is in no sense bindil
upon my husband. won't stand it
''I don't see how you are to help you
self.p
81 aoiI help myself"
"Poor child you little heed what y
are saying"
Divorces were rare at the time
which we write, reader. True, t
hurry-skurrying way in which hun
reds of young girls had rushed in
matrimony while they were yet ch
dren, had begun to bring forth discoi
ant fruits, and occasionally some trus
woman was advertised by her lord,
runaway slaves were advertised in t
days of a dispensation now dead; bp
divorce was badge of disgrace, a
few women would prefer it to death.
"Your husband has legal right