The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-04-07

diEsi pationI could plainly see that he
bad just returned from long absence of
that character, having abandoned his
course only till be could in some way
recruit his pockets, and come back de-
termined to strip his poor wife of all
she had. To see the man of whom 1
had been thinking, so soon, rather
startled me, albeit am somewhat ac-
custOmedte surprises of this character.
watched him closely. L could not
keep my eyes off of him.
From his own telling l became con-
vinced that he was trying to find his
wife simply to live off of her, or to ap-
propriate her savings, if she had any.
at once suggested that, as he had been
absent so long, she might perhaps have
obtained legal separation.
He was struck with surprise at the
possibility of such a thing; then de-
clared it could not be possible, for he
knew Mary would never do such
thing; finally sprang to his feet with
excitement, and said he must see her at
once. L saw his urgency, and took ad-
vantage of it.
81 can help you, said I.
"Can you ?n he asked, his face
Frightening considerably. 4~
1 "Come here tomorrow afternoon, at
half-past three O'Clock. Be punctual at
that hour, and you will find your inter
ests all answered"
He promised me with much eager
ness, and took his leavei %
"In the meantime" | said, as he was
shutting the door, "keep perfectly
quiet. Do not make a single inquiry of
any one. 1 can help you if anybody
can"
He bowed his thanks and was gone.
A few minutes afterward left my office
in search of the residence of the wife.
| She had given me her street and num-
Der, and l had no difficulty in finding
her.
"I want you to be at my office to-
morrow afternoon at four O'clock" said
1; mot minute sooner, however.
eyes, sir" she answered, satisfied
that was looking after her interests.
passed the night more awake than
asleep, thinking how 1 could best secure
the object had in view. The forenoon
slipped away as it always did. After
dinner 1 sat and waited for half-past
three o'clock TO come. / was apprsed
of the fact of its arrival by the opening
of the door, and the entrance of my
man again.
"PunctuaI :" said he.
He looked better than on the previous
day, though could see that he had
been feeding the fires of dissipation
over night. / led him into a back
room, leaving the door ajar, and sat
down and began conversation with
him. saw plainlythat he was deter
mined to get all that his wife had
And still, from various questions put to
divert his thoughts to other objects, /
saw that at heart he loved his wife, and
might possibly yet become a devoted
and noble husband.
While we were occupied with Moth
2 ing but these generalities, l keeping
his curiosity piqued to learn what
might have of importance to communi-
cate, the town clock struck four. In
voluntarily started in my chair. At
the same moment the door opened in
the other room. I told my man to sit
still a few moments, and I would be
back again. But in going out was
careful to leave the door ajar, that all
we said might be overheard.
The poor lady was there prompt
enough. / asked her to be seated. She
little knew that the cause of her trouble
was in the other room. She waited for
me to introduce the subject for which I
had requested her attendance.
"I can get your bill for you, think, ("
said I, in loud tone, "but if should
tell you that your little savings would
be untouched without this proceeding,
would you insist on carrying it
through ?"
mo. Never, sir; never in the world
| would not cast Henry away love
him yet, and / always shall love him
He may wrong me more than he has,
but it will make no difference with my
heart. I do this only for the sake of my
! little girl. She must be cared for, let
who may be the sufferer. Oh, dear
Henry why wouldn't you be to me
what you once was ?"
! This last exclamation was uttered in
such touching tone, and came so fresh
from a wounded heart, that a man
must have been less than a man who
could have heard it unmoved. In an
instant, the repentant husband came
rushing from the inner room and threw
his arms around his wife. He called
on her to forgive him. To find her
thus true to him through all his treach-
cry, and to hear from her own lips that
she still loved him, cut him to the
quick of his nature. He could bear it
no longer. ..-- -.......- -.-
They embraced each other and wept.
He declared that she should suffer no
longer. She forgave him all, and with
drew the petition for divorce. saw
them leaving my Office with Joy, to-
gether. Since that time he has been an
altered man, and a model husband; and
I sometimes love to think 1 may have
had hand in it all.