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

ALLOW me TO install your sister In our
house as our honored guest and friend.
We are in position to place her in the
best society. and help her to get an hon
orable release from the bondage that
has withered aud warped her very ex-
istence."
"And would you thus feed the tongues
Of gossips?'
1--WE can by this means best still
them, dear Do you think the public is
ignorant of the fact that she is your
sister?"
81 think she is very little known"
'Then you are very much deceived
The private history Of all persons in
public positions becomes public prop
eriy."
''Then don't want any public posi-
ton"
again you make me ashamed of
you"
"Don't talk that way, please.n
'Then don't give me cause to do so. ."
II was fortunate for these married
lovers that the door-bell rang and Wis
/ itors were announced, else l should be
compelled, right here and now, to
chronicle their first quarrel. But Colo
mel Marblehead gained his point Men
always do in such cases, for the might
is theirs.
There was something in the appear
ance of one Of the callers, who gave his
name as Martin Page, that seemed to
the Colonel strangely familiar, and he
was not surprised to hear his wife say,
when formally introduced:
81 mnst have met you somewhere.
don't know tut have dreamed Of you,
sir"
Yet he did not express his own opin-
ion. Evidently he had good reason for
considering the intruder a stranger.
Are you recently from the East ?"
he asked, in a careless way.
NO. lam forty-niner, just in from
the Salmon River mines. Came to see
you on important business. Should
I like private interview"
The little wife took the hint and po-
litely excused herself Entering Mar
tha's room, the guest chamber over
head, aud throwing herself carelessly
into a chair. she exclaimed:
''Sister, believe the very atmosphere
Of this house is bewitched. Tm sure
/ Tveseen the man in my dreams who is ia
the parlor now holding private confer
ence wifh Gus. and his visit bodies no
good to you"
"Do you mean that little fellow, with
black whiskers and overgrown joints,
who came up the walk a while ago?"
Yes"
"Depend upon IL, sister mine, you are
right Hi visit Is Intended 90 have
some reference to me. Tom Jones sent
him here"
"How do you know that ?'
"By the di-agreeable way that the
very thought Of him affects me. am
sensible Of shuddering, shrinking sem
sation whenever anybody from Toms
atmosphere enters my presence. No
matter if cannot see them, can feel
their presence all the same"
"But what does Tom want Of you ?"
"A divorce"
, "Of course you'll grant it,"
81 do not know"
Don't be an idiot"
"He may demand divorce upon a
false charge. In that case 1 will resist
it TO the bitter end"
81 wouldn't"
"Well, we're foolish to be arguing
/ thus concerning that Of which We really
know nothing. 1 dread to meet that
fellow, and yet know ] must"
While the two were thus engaged in
conversation, sure enough a summons
came for Mrs. Jones, who obeyet, with
flushed face, humping heart, and fash
ing eyes.
"Mrs. Jones, allow me to introduce
Mr. Page, from the mines, who wishes a
private word with you"
With this Colonel Marblehead with
drew.
THAT disguise is useless, Captain
Johnson" said Martha, calmly. dyed
hair and whiskers do not change ones
form or gait"
Don't expose me-"
"No danger of that, sir. Pm only too
glad to get you out Of my sight My
brother would have you arrested in
stantly if he recognized you. What is
your business now9 Would you like to
act the 20 between itwixt me and some
body else, TO see if you couldn't fleece
some one who hasn't yet encountered
your clutches ?"
81 came TO see If you would peaceably
J agree 10 terms of honorable separation
, from your husband"
J 81 want nothing 10 do with you, sir. -
YOU'D better not talk like that,
ma'am. have it in my power to in
jure you more than you know, or
think"
"As to that, cir, men have had me
aud mine so long iu their power that
d they can hardly harm me more than
r they have already.n
VIII you state the terms upon which
ID you are willing to be divorced ?'i
y 81 have no terms.n
j. II would be better for Won II Won
i would name certain eopditions r.
+. not wholly bad man, Mrs T5nss
y came here to befriend you.n