The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-03-15

show of obedience, else they would
wrest him from me.
Would to heaven had known enough
to seek a private interview with that
grand old physician, and make a free
and full confession Of everything. But
saw that, while he was disposed to be-
Ilieve me sane, I had given him cause tc
doubt it. Like a stag at bay, longed
to defy them all; but was sane enough
to consider discretion the better part OF
valor, for the babys sake.
Elder Chalmers approached me 20 say
farewell, and offered his hand 1 re-
fused to touch it, He was about start
ing on his way to New Zealand, he said,
and hoped would so far conquer my
reasonable dislike for him as to bid him
God speed
'Pd conquer anything to lose sight Of
you forever" ! said, frankly speaking
my mind, to the CONSERVATION Of my
husband, the chagrin Of the Elder, and
the surprise OF the physician.
"You see she is not in her right mind,
and is wholly unfit to run at large" "
said the Elder, solemnly.
Again / was on the alert.
81 know Pm crazy, and any one
would be who had to" be reproved by
a hypocrite! 1 came near exclaiming;
but did not finish the sentence audi
bly,, for prudential reasons.
"She's no more crazy than you or ],
else she would not admit it," said the
doctor. sometimes ladies conceive
unaccountable aversions to persons or
things when their health is delicate,
and I imagine this has been the case
with my fair patient in regard 10 you,
Elder Chalmers. But never mind. She
will beall right when her system recov-
/ ers its accustomed tone"
The Elder gave me look Of scoruful
reproof that well nigh drove me frantic;
but 1 turned away, and he departed.
And then, looking down into the face Of
my child, I was horriiied to note start
/ ling resemblance in his tiny features to
the man 1 loathed. I closed my eyes
and tried my best TO doubt it, but 20 no
purpose. \ strange and utterly indie
/ finable dread, of which 1 was only dimly
] conscious, crept over me, and, Ignorant
as l was, l inwardly knew that the
hated image Of the most repulsive man
I had ever been compelled to meet had
been enstamped upon my infant boy for
/ life.
now understand the subtle photo
graphic law Of nature that makes these
things possible. Then only knew that
it was so, and, but for a sudden diver
sion Of my thoughts into a different
channel, there is no telling what I
should have said or done.
Since coming ashore we had not met
our missionary friends, the Motleys. 4
servant now announced them, aud my
heart was filled with joy. Next to the
Ethel Graeme who should have been
Lord Bothwick's bride, and my own
dear mother, who had borne the name,
loved Mrs. Motley above all women;
and her husband was as charming as
herself Indeed, they were a noble
couple; and they made a grand picture
Of realized conjugal possibility as they
stood there, he with his wondering gaze
Of thoughtful inquiry, and she with an
/ illumination of enraptured astOnish-
ment overspreading her face, as she be-
held me and my babe.
] / reached both hands to welcome her,
and spoke blushingly to her husband;
for, though proud Of the infant Gerald,
I felt a shrinking delicacy in encounter
ing gentlemen while yet an invalid
"My husband found a charming home
for US among friends in the suburbs,
where we thought it prudent to remain
and rest a while before re-embarkiug for
our chosen field Of labor, and we were to
have sailed this morning, only I could
not consent 10 90 till 1 had met you
again." said Mrs. Motley. "But bless
mel what have we here ?"
And seizing the infant Gerald in a
manner to me alarmingly suggestive OF
his speedy demolition, she tossed and
tumbled him around, and laughed and
cooed and chirruped till the gentlemen,
as well as myself were imbued with her
spirit Of hilarity, and we all laughed
heartily.
"Your friend is a better physician
than any Of US" said the doctor, rub
bing his hands in delight. "And the
very best we can do for our patient is to
leave her in her charge" he added,
turning to Gerald, who looked exceed
ingly relieved at the prospect Of dele
eating the doubtful pleasure Of caring
for me to one more thoroughly compe-
tent than himself.
"But have other engagements, doc
tor" said Mrs. Motley, deprecatingly.
"Then cancel themw replied the
physician.
''Is this, indeed, 50 very important ?''
she asked, turning her head to one side.
and eying me as mother robin might
gaze upon an afflicted birding.
"She's the worst and most untractable
heather know Of, aud you couldn't DO
a greater missionary work than 10 teach
J her to stay In doors, when she has moth
3 ing else to do, and be ready to heed the
wants Of her child" said Gerald, dryly
7 Had Elder Chalmers said that, ]
would have been furious. Had the doc
tor said il, I would have been annoyed
. . !