The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-10-24

women who marry, she had discovered
too late that what she had bargained for
was simply bartered away, aud she had
only lived a love life through her chill
dren, aud had longed for real conjugal
appreciation all the days Of her wife
hood. So il WAS not surprising that her
heart was softened by Alonzo's manner.
"You won't take Grace away from
the old farm after you've married her,
will you ?" she asked, through her
tears.
"Not unless you desire it, mother
dear" was the assuring answer.
"Well, get up, my son. Don't kneel
to anybody but God. 1t looks like su-
perstition."
"Aud do you consent that Grace
shall be my wife ?" he asked, rising.
81 must consult her pap afore can
answer that question"
"Then you won't appear as counsel
against me ,"
mo"
"Bless you -
Mrs Emerson blushed, and fairly felt
young again. The Captain had said
"bless you" accompanying the words
with a caress, when the son God gave
her lay in her arms for the first time in
the long ago. Their repetition brought
it all back, now, aud the combined emo
tiOns of her woman soul were thor
oughly awakened.
MAY / seal the contract with holy
kiss ?" asked the new claimant for her
love and sympathy.
The mingled odors of that mutual sa-
lutte were like anything but those Of
Araby.
Rose-water aud tobacco smoke were
at premium in the breath OF the party
Of the first part; bacon grease and cook
cry smoke were the combined ingredi-
cuts that rendered the kiss of the latter
decidedly aromatic.
This compact is before God, my
mother dear" devoutly exclaimed
Alonzo, who was shedding tears.
Before God aud the angels" echoed
the earnest aud honest mother, speak
ing from the fullness Of her heart.
While this interesting interview was
taking place in the kitchen, and Grace
WAS pouting in her room upstairs, John
and Lille were sitting in awkward 81
leuce in the disordered room where the
two young men had slept. But, when
the bargain was sealed between the
mother and suitor, and they intuitively
knew the latter had won, both felt that
crisis in their own lives was upon
them.
"why could not you and l get
married and be happy together 2' asked
John, earnestly.
i've been asking myself the same
question" replied Lille, frankly.
"Aud what has been the answer ?''
/ queried John.
Nothing"
"What Is your answer now ?"
ayes"
"DO you mean IL 20
81 am thoroughly in earnest"
"Do you love me ?'
"rhat's leading question"
"But it requires an answer"
'Do you love me ~
"lhars another leader"
(which also requires an answer"
+ "We're even. are we not ,"
Both laughed.
"There isn't very much sentimen
about our wooing, at all events" sal
John.
"Do you take my affirmative 70
granted ?" retorted Lille.
81 take nothing for granted, Mi.
. Emerson"
f "You speak confidently, must say.
"You said Yes"
$50 did"
''Do you regret it?
"No."
, Then John bowed his head aud kisse
, her. It seemed his duty; at leas
that was the way these things wei
done in novels.
Alonzo bad finished his wooing wit
the dowager, and was now inpatient
pacing back and forth in the front doc
E yard, engaged 10 taking mental invel
tory Of the acres on every hand.
: "Will you be jealous Of that gentl
! man If 1 allow myself to become yo'
q wife ," asked Lille, with blush.
e John laughed till his button-hol'
5 we're in danger.
i ''The idea - he exclaimed. "Wh
2 Lille, the fellows a perfect popinja
= He isn't worth the powder and lead
d would take to blow him to atoms; an
IF as to his brains, be hasn't a thimbleful
e Lille blushed scarlet. II she had n
been engaged TO John for the space Of
II whole minute, she would have rued b
bargain then and there. For an enti
=, mouth she had been occupied In da
or dreaming over that exquisite piece
r human flesh, and it was mortifying
her pride TO note the extreme contem
70 IN which her accepted suitor held hir
re- But above all other considerations 70
&c tue leeHng that her affection had n
gu Oeeh Ieelprocated. She had given 10
lli without the asking, aud had failed
elicit response. 50 she would N,
in take refuge behind her secret. Nobo
ed should ever know, least Of all sbo,
Ip- her future husband suspect the tru
She would never betray herself-pey
ye. This resolve being taken, she smi
be sweetly upon John, who. equa