The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-11-28

CHAPTER TX.
" wish could feel that everything
sas -gbt-confound it alll7 exclaimed
Captain Emerson through his set teeth,
as ths steamer bore him away toward
Doe distant fields OF duty. "But, some
how I'm not satisfied, aud really
hardly know why"
But matters had progressed too far for
him % see his way clear for honorable
retraction now. He well knew that his
wife aud daughters were already busy
-o The eyes in preparations for the
double wedding, so there remained lit
de else that he could do about it than to
quietly await the event. His efforts TO
discover the real condition Of the f.
uauces Of the Snowden firm had so sig
ueily failed, and he was so thoroughly
suspicious that be had not discovered the
whole truth, that he had no heart to
further pursue the possible fortunes Of
Iiilies husband elect, so he busted him
self about his real or imaginary dulles
morning of the very day when he was
o. give away his daughters in marriage.
Mrs. Emerson, poor thing, grieved
sorely over her husbands neglect OF his
duties at home. She felt an almost un-
comfortable longing for his presence
aud counsel And she was so utterly
lonely. At this particular crisis in her
lie DO was indeed pity that her hus-
baud could not see and realized how desc
late she was
The double wedding created a nine
days wonder in all the country round
about The hidden guests We're num-
tered 10y scores, and nobody who had
been Invited to partake of the feast har-
bored a thought of remaining away.
Whole families came in wagons, some
drawn by horses and some by oxen.
O-her- came afoot aud young men and
uaide1s, the former greatly predomin-
atug, came on horseback.
Lille and Grace were certainly beau
tiful specimens Of rustic maidenhood ia
their p-etty-fashioned attire Of simple
white. The apple-faced mother Of
John Anders was among the guests,
her aiant face beaming with happi-
ness.
Mrs 1owdeu mare was also present,
her fat erm elaborately stuffed q showy
uoire 'iguc, and her frost-bitten hair
surmogutej by white cap, set off with
artificial roses. The senior Suowden, as
well as the senior Anders, was also
present butif there is time when gen.
tiemen's noses are more entirely out Of
joint than all Others, IL is at a wedding
where The decisions Of the feminine por-
tions Of the household are always con-
siderel an f0w
Mrs. Emerson, good soul, hustled
about the kitchen, The perspiration
Stamping in great beads on her oily
TEXTURES. and her red hands busy every
where
81 90 wonder If your pap amt goin'
to s.t oere in time to see you married ."
she said to her daughters, who had been
ready 8r an hour for the expected ad-
vent ot the husbands-to-be, and who
had been waiting long in the sitting
heat Of their low, unfinished chamber
Or fas appearance Of their paternal
Laf
e needn't come if be doesn't want
tr aid Lille; marriage is nothing
out a hollow mockery, anyhow" and
she gazed dreamily through her little
window and across the lawn, with the
air Of one who sees nothing.
"Ah, child, if that's the way you feel
about it, you'd better say no. when the
parson puts the solemn question for final
answer. Don't 90 into marriage with
your soul perjured. You'll have plenty
O. trouble on your heart before you get
through with life without having any
thing on your conscience to load il
down, till you'll feel so wretched and
guilty like, you can't hide from uothin',' p
said her mother reproachfully.
"If ] didn't intend to be happier thar
ever have been, I wouldn't get mar.
ried," exclaimed Grace.
"I was thousand times HAMMER no
ApAN 4 ~ N--TN-AlN OF marrNluu thar
I ever expect to be again,u was IuIio,.
sad reply.
"Why ?" asked Grace, her great sv.
shining. zone would think You war
not going 10 secure your true-love 70
husband, from the way you talk. An
TO be honest with you, / don't beliey
you care one whit more for John tina
you do for Alouzo. You don't act liE
an expectant bride who is in love wit
her afiianced ought TO act. Though (,
that matter, I've been happier myse
than ] now am
"Hushw cried Lille, stamping h
foot in rage. you'll make me ha
you III talk like that"
"For mercy's sake, don't quarre
gals" the mother exclaimed in affrigh
"The folks down stairs will hear vo
and a pretty scandal they'll make OF
But there comes your pap, at last. 1t
better late than never, but do wish