The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-08-29

CHAPTER XXX
George was busily engaged I'm turning
over the ashy earth of a new field for the
reception Of the seed for our staple pre-
duction, wheat. He had rugged a gang
plow which would cut three furrows at
once, or six at every round, and bad ar
ranged a pair Of wheels, with a spring
seat above for his own convenience,
from which he could manage his four
in-hand with perfect confidence; and so
his work was progressing rapidly.
Much as I dreaded marriage on gen.
eral principles, ] was at last, and in
spite # myself, becoming reconciled to
this mans prospective union with
Ethel, and had taken him into my
heart as only a loving and devoted
mother can. And now that I was in
trouble aud perplexity uuspeakable, ]
looked to him as my only earthly
refuge. ] am proud 10 say that loved
him; indeed, I would have been the
basest Of ingrates had I felt otherwise
than devotedly attached 10 him.
The man who demands love, respect,
and confidence where be evokes none is
simply requiring the impossible, and
fully deserves the failure in his expecta-
tions which is sure to follow all unrea-
souable exactions. It was no more the
fault Of myself or him that I loved the
betrothed Of my darling than it was our
misfortune that I could no longer love
or honor Gerald, my once lovable and
honorable husband.
George saw US coming, and refined up
his horses to await us. Ethel blushed
as ne raised his slouch hat from his
broad and bronzed forehead and turned
his kindly eyes iDquiringly upon her.
Anything wanted 2'' he asked, earn
estly, and 1 knew that it was only be-
cause / was present that he did not cal
my darling by some pet, endearing
name Of loves own coming.
George, do you know whether or not
Gerald filed or legally notified upon our
claim in the land Office as ne agreed,
and as 1 gave him money to do, when !
found ! could not do it myself because
wasn't the head Of a family ?'' ] asked,
somewhat incoherently.
81 suppose he complied with the law,
as a matter Of course, though I never
examined the records. I might have
done it when 1 registered my own
claim had considered it necessary
"But suppose he failed to register
what thew"
''The claim would be vacant, o
course.u
"And could another person notify
register, pay fees, and possess it?"
81 suppose he could, If he were th
head Of a family"
"Then I am again pauperr'
"Why, Mrs. Grey ."
because a burly, ignorant anima
with a wife who is quite as much a bea,
as himself, has filed upon this farm O
vacant property, and jumped our eIair
TO it,"
"Tmpossible."
'But true, George" said Ethel, qui
ety.
George dismouuted from his seat o
the pillow, and stood for a moment re
fectively swinging his whip.
"It all may Dc just as you say; for
the Captain took fancy to spend th
sum you gave him 10 legally secure IN
homestead for whisky, cards, or womer
he would not have scrupled to DO il, an
the chances are that he did so choos,
and so did not scruple. Very strang
hat 1 did not think Of this before" h
added, musingly.
I wrung my hands in silence. wa
getting along somewhat in years. or
east in decrepitude, and I lacked III
hope aud elasticity that had sustaine
Inc under similar and yet different e.
periences in san Francisco, Neva,
City, and the valley Of the WilIamett
George unhitched the horses from Il
plow, and gathering the reins, dro
them before Us toward the house.
Don't worry, mother darling"
saiu' tenderly. "Surely it isn't as bt
as you say.'
Aias' my son"-it was the first tin
L had called him "son," though he h.
called me "mother7 often-"I have
room to hope for anything better T
the old experience over aud over rsgsin =
"But no man who is a man a,
would thus deprive you Of home a
the means Of subsistence, mother deai
Men, clothed in mems habilimen
and endowed with mems power to ma
laws, have several times thus robt
me Of my all; and denying that they
men does not deprive them of existen
nor lessen their power to rob me-
sa!d, bitterly.
George again endeavored to reassr
me by declaring that his faith in I
man nature would not allow him 10 /
agine that thing so perfdious as F
McCarty could be allowed to live in /
garb and guise of a man; but 7 sho
my head and set my lips firmly
gether, and endeavored to prepare
10 nd to endure the lot of woman W