The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-03-08
A Hero.

A Hero.
"John Dutton What a commonplace
name. Pm sure he can't be a bit good
looking and Marion Hampton looked
up inspiringly at her uncle as she spoke.
"WeIl, bless my soul, Marion; of
what romantic turn Of mind you are,
10 be sure r' cried old Uncle James, with
a humorous twinkle in his eye. II
think John is a good, strong name in
fact, one of the best names that can be
found, and as for John Dutton's looks,
well, he is quiet, unpretending young
man.
"Oh, 1 know I shall not like him.
You have already as good as told me
that he is but one remove from a saint.
/ DO detest your quiet, sanity men;
there %
"Iy dear, don't be angry over it,"
said Uncle James, quietly. "If you do
not like John Dutton there will be no
harm done. / know his name is not so
fanciful as Spence ArnOtt's, neither has
he so large a share Of his satanic
majesty in his composition as that
young gentleman; but what's the use
of talking You have a wOman's idea,
Marion. a man 10 make any headway
with your sex must have a sprinkling
Of satan running pretty thickly through
his compOsition.n
uncle, I think it is shame for you
to speak disparagingly Of Spence Ar
mott" cried Marion, with an indignant
toss Of her head.
Don't flare up so, child; I didn't
mean TO speak IN Of Spence. He is a
careless, fun-loying young man; that's
all that can be said against him; but,
my dear, ] will say that he isn't TO be
compared to John Dutton, as you may
learn some day."
81 shall never think any man better
than Spence Arnott Everybody has
their likes and dislikes, uncle. l like
Spence
"And you have made up your mind
to dislike John DuttOn ?n interrupted
Uncle James.
Marion made no reply. Spoiled child
that she was, she was ashamed to ac-
knowledge that her uncle hit the truth.
She had determined TO dislike John
Dutton.
"Who was that talking 10 you at the
gate, Marion? Looked Ikea preacher" D."
"Hush, Spence, be may hear you.
That is John Dutton."
ooh, the young gentleman I've heard
your uncle speak so often about. He
interests me more than ] thought he
would, but T." detest him for all that.
Marion was going to say, but Spence
interrupted her with: 81 should say he
did interest you You seem to be on
very friendly terms for such a short ac-
quaintance,n said Spence, slight frown
showing itself on his fair, handsome
face.
Marion's heart bounded with delight
Here was chance TO torment Spence
10 ham FOR Tod fs.r Q fn.. a.
and she said:
"Not on any more friendly terms
than what you've been with Clara Nav
bray, Tor the past week or twO.r
Spence looked down at the pretty.
plquant face. He often confessed 10
himself that he did not like to tease
Marion! As Uncle James said, he was
careless, tun-lOving; he said aud did "A
great many things he was sorry for; but
IN regard 10 this last accusation Of Ma
rlon'si he was innocent. If he had
shown any unusual attention 10 Clara
Mawbray, 10 was unintentional on his
part. Whether 1t was that he was in
nocent OF Marion's charge. or that her
appearance OF undue frieudliness to this
favorite Of UncleJames' aunoved Spence
we cannot say. But he was annoyed
more than he would care TO confess. for
under his careless exterior lay a vast
depth Of love for Marion.
You have no grounds for making
that assertion, Marion said Spence.
with more Indignation in his voice than
he had ever used 10 Marion.
Marion tossed her head, thought she
had good ground for her assertions. and
stood upon them so firmly that Spence
left her in a fit Of pique.
Marion watched his tall, manly form
disappear down the road. What a
kingly fellow Spence was Never before
did she take notice Of the width of his
shoulders, or the manner ia which he
carried his head so thickly covered
win tawnyl curling locks. How foolish
she was to quarrel with Spence. and
Aarlon's heart rose in her throat, and
ner eyes filed with tears. Was ever a
neIo ih novel handsomer than he
anu 10 quarrel with him for thar nIain
matter-ot-fact John Dutton.
Eerhaps 10 was John Dutton's fell
IahAi mlssnapen form appearing unon
tue lawn that revealed Snence's En-
proportions so vividly 70 Marion Snrsiy
que eouiu never make a hero out of
feleu with Spence on his account 81.
would never speak to the horrid -,eN
agalni aud twas not enough for lT,rl.,-,
10 think this, but she sought Tncl.
James and told it to him with a stamn
of her foot and toss Of her head, aud Ul-
Gle James said:
"My dear, you are altogether too TO-
mantle, which was the truth for the
old gentleman.
Marion tried her best to dislike John
DuttOn, but she was interested in him
in spite of herself. There was some
thing I'm the mans nature that she could
not fathOm; perhaps il was this that in
terested her so much. He looked at her
so gravely; indeed, he even went so far
as to shake his head al her willful con-
duct, aud with that shake Of his head,
John Dutton put his foot in it. Marion
had her own way all her life, aud she