The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-01-11

CHAPTER XVII
Colonel Augustus lIarblehead was not
pleased. The position he held before
the public required the sustaining Of a
considerable degree Of domestic dignity,
and it was not soothing TO his feeling,
TO have a grass widow, his own sister al
that, as an inmate Of bis house. Not
that be so expressed himself to his sis
ter. Had he done so, that individual,
as innately proud and sensitive Is him
self, would have left his home at once,
even if she would have found il neces-
sary TO dig bitches for livelihood. But
man rarely wears a cloak Of gracious
ness 10 screen the inner selishness of
his nature from the observation Of his
wife
"Td like to know what you and sister
Mat are up tor' be said, grutfly, ad-
dressing the partner OF his joys and sor-
rows, whom he had once considered a
sort Of divinity, as though she were a
very ordinary mortal indeed.
a tear in Mattie's brown eye and a
slight tremor in her voice betrayed her
agitation, for she was not used to being
harshly spoken 60, and this was new
departure for Colonel Marblehead
so, Gus, darling, you can't think
what a martyr Martha has been! She's
been wronged in every conceivable way,
and now Pm determined TO stand 10y her
and see fair play"
At this the Colonel smiled grimly,
and the little woman assumed an atti-
tude of virtuous defiance, which became
her finely.
Marriage had improved her vastly.
Indeed, / think a happy marriage il
more conducive TO real beauty than all
the cosmetics and arts known to the
best modistes the world has ever pro-
duced. A pure, true, and reeiprocated
coujugal love, that runs so smoothly
that even the rougher surfaces Of life,
over which II moves, awaken no ripple
upon its current, will cause the eyes to
sparkle, the cheeks to glow, and the lips
TO ripen with happiness, while the glad
voice will ring with melody. Reverse
the conditions, and the converse of the
proposition becomes an axiom.
"Gus, don't believe you're pleased
with me one bit"
"Why ."
because your smiles a grimace, and
your voice is hard"
"WeIl, pet, you mustn't be angry
will you ."
Chow should I know ?"
"Then, to come to the point, aud tall
plainly, think it will not do at all fo
Mr.. Jones 10 remain an inmate OF ou
house"
"Now it's my turn to say why p"
Because we have a reputation E,
maintain, iu keeping with the dignit,
Of our position. Ii will not be pleasan
for nee if the world Of society discover
that we have grass widow in the fam
ily, who is my sister"
"Don't you believe she's a worthy
woman ?"
Certainly do"
"Would you be ashamed to couute
nance her if she were not your sister p
sob, no. 1t would not be the world'i
business then"
.Is any concern Of tie public, as 81
Twould make against my -elec
tiaa."
colonel augustus Mar5lehead
would you be willing that the worl,
olld know how selfish you are?"
Tile dignitary grew uneasy.
DO you value Dly good opinion %
was astonished.
Why don't you talk?"
iecause I've nothing 10 say. Pv,
-. otion OF being bored by poor rela
ua.s. have enough to DO to look afteI
mg elf never had anything in m,
1uly what l earned myselfn
But that doesn't release YOU from 3
moral obligation TO assist your sister
has been robbed by laws for which
alone are responsible, Of all IN,
.-ings Of her life, thus far"
hats not my affair"
lt ought to be-"
he fact is, pet, the law reeopntze
che husband aud wife as one. and t5o
o'e ne husband. Martha ought 10 b,v,
been ia better luck 90 " ''' y
Augustus Marolsbea5 ,ri5. -
and love Of my soul-Ir, -.
it-but I'm ashamed of yo, \.
valldu't dare to 90 before the vi
at confess the narrow selfshness. aya
to gour weakest-brained chum, that va
have here admitted TO me. Neith,
you have been induced 10 "a
10 a thing TO me it, we bad not bee
married. Don't lower yourself in no
estimation, 1 beg. I wouldn't think !
OF you for the world, but you'll conn,
me to if you don't stand by your siste
You ought to be ashamed Of any Ia,
that recognizes and enforces such bal
barism as you have described. Vera
man, I'd never rest a minute uu a
such one-sided justice was repealed,
"Well ?U
"What pa