The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-03-31

lug 10 LIE 4 ais LO-udyy 10 see ABOUT our
prospective town site. You'll stay here
and be contented till we return, won't
you?" ....
"Of course she WILL" said the hostess,
again nudging her under the table with
her foot, to keep her silent.
"Certainly, George" replied the
bride, blushing painfully. "I haven't
any moral obligations of my own any
more. All 1 am or can be is the silent
half of the Hanson firm. OF course L
have no will-power now, for L am re-
leased from moral responsibility. Two
days ago I was Madge Morrison, a
creature of mind and will, with an acute
perception of right and wrong. A few
cabalistic words have reconstructed me,
though, and Pm a machine, which
is henceforth to obey the regulations of
its owner. Of course my sense of choice
and judgment and all moral obliga-
tions vanished when lost myself and
became somebody else. What is the
will and pleasure of your royal head
ship, my noble liege ?"
Again Madge shuddered as she gazed
upon the vacant wall.
"Excuse me if 1 go to the fire; am
icy cold" she said, as she shivered like
one in an ague.
''Its all settled" said the husband, in
tones of intense satisfaction. "When-
ever Madge Morrison's word is given,
it's good as her bond"
"It isn't the word of Morrison, but
Hanson" said Madge, to herself.
''Let him enjoy it, though"
In less than an hour the two men
were off on their way to The Falls, fully
imbued with their high mission OF
headship. ..
"If can only keep Madge away from
my mother-in-law, pll tame her easily
enough" remarked the bridegroom, as
he rode away, after having magnani-
mously allowed his wife the freedom of
the pastors house and grounds. "What
nature ever manufactured mother-in-
laws for is mystery" he continued.
"If 1 had my way, I'd remove the
whole stock of them to heaven as soon
as they get our wives reared to mar
riageable ages" said the double bass.
IA young woman's apt to be tractable
and easily managed, but an older one,
who has had experience, gets foolhardy,
and is pretty sure to make trouble. Are
you quite certain that Mrs. Hanson
will not see her mother while you are
away ?"
"She gave me her word, and depend
upon it," was the husbands reply.
"When you've been married as long
as have, you'll know better than to de-
pend upon a woman's word, when it
conflicts with her WILL" was the consol-
ing reply.
The two legal heads were not more
than fairly out of sight before Madge
was ready to seek her mothers bedside.
"Madge Morrison promised to go to
her mother, and it's she that's going p'
she said, resolutely. "Mrs Hanson
said she wouldn't go, but her word
amounts to nothing, because her hus-
band has deceived her. To meet might
with craft and overcome it with decep-
ton is henceforth your mission, o,
fallen Madge! See to it that you WELD
your power wiselyW
"Are you beside yourself?'' asked her
hostess, in alarm.
eyes," said Madge, sand I'm glad Of
it. I'd go crazy if didn't lose myself,
sometimes. Three days ago I would
have died rather than tell falsehood,
was my own moral mistress then.
To-day lie with impunity because ]
J cannot help it. But hate myself, and
1 despise George Hanson. If he had
acted hOnorably, as he agreed, or, il
there were some law to compel all men
to act honorably by their wives, so thai
none would think it possible to do other.
wise, 1 should have loved him to the
end. But he. has trampled upon my
holiest rights through false prerogatives
The law, by my own ignorant act, has
bound me to him, and 1 must submit
Pll get even, though. Heneeforth Pl
lead dual life. AS Madge Morrison
I'll do what believe to be right; al
Mrs. Hanson, I'll consent to do as my
master has power to compel me-"
: you've learned your lesson quickly
said her hostess.
'Is this the fate of all wives ?" asked
> Madge, disdainfully.
"Oh, no, my dear. Thousands of hus
I bands rise above the law of men, anC
3 the power it gives them, and being {
2 law unto themselves, redeem the worIC
3 from the sweeping charge that all art
tyrants; but there is no human law t.
protect any woman from the abuse o
! power; so woman accepts the law o
: strategy, and peoples the world will
t knaves.n .t..-.-
: "You frighten me-"
"Can't help it. only tell the truth
e The day was excessively hot. Grea
e clouds of dust rose from the highwa,
near which Madge moved hurriedly
!. The two men, who were moving slowly
: away on horseback, had taken the cir
e cuitous route along the fence, ant
e Madge unwittingly came near them b,