The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-09-05
CHAPTER NXXL

CHAPTER NXXL
It was midnight when George re-
turned. But he found us, as he ex-
pected, sitting up and waiting for him.
His face was pale and his lips COM
pressed, as they had been when he went
away, and there was a fiery light in his
earnest eyes. Without needing my
presence, he approached Ethel aud
clasped her in his arms.
"AIy darling, we must comfort our
poor mother as best We can," he said,
softly.
"Is Gerald dead ?" I exclaimed, in
sudden and new excitement.
Indeed, the thought that he was liza
ble at any moment to be called into an
eternity where ''no drunkard can enter
the kingdom of heaven" was to me a
constant and abiding apprehension.
''No, mother darling; your husband is
not dead, but your worst fears are real
lied in another direction. 1t is all as
the man MeCarty says"
"But where is Gerald? And why did
he not come home with you ?"
81 could not possibly prevail on him
to come"
SIS he sober ."
"FOr a wonder, yes. And be is so hu-
inflated and peniteut that be says he
cannot bear to enter your presence till
he is forgiven"
"Poor Geraldr' 7 exclaimed, involun-
tarily.
Mother" said Ethel, "you have far
greater reason to osympathize with your
self.'
81 know it, dear; but then I am not
diseased by rum"
"He says" said George, "that Bill
McCarty, who il seems was his fellow
sailor on his last cruise, gave him fair
warning some weeks ago, to the effect
that he would jump his claim if be did
not comply with the requirements OF
the law. But he was ashamed to let
you know that he had squandered the
money you gave him 10 seerre the land,
and so he kept procrastinating till it
was too late. I never before realized
how completely women live at the
mercy Of men. Ethel, dear, before we
are married, and while yet you have
the legal right TO your own selfhood, I
intend TO give you a deed to my home
stead, so that, let what will befall me
in the after years, my wife and children
shall have a home"
81 trust you, George, and I do not
ask it, said Ethel, her eyes aglow Will
feeling.
$50 your mother once trusted he
husband, but you see with what result
Do you know, my darling, I believe i
is culpably wicked in any woman t.
risk her life aud happiness and the fu
ture prosperity Of her children in tn
hands Of any man under the existin
laws, which rob her Of individuality an
place her wholly in the power of hi
selfshuess, carelessness, or caprice"
"But you will never wrong ne
George"
"I know 1 won't, for I never intend t
risk the opportunity. I intend to endov
you with my worldly goods in yer!
deed, before you are made my wife, an,
are therefore a legal noneutity. Then
if get careless or rapacious or tyran
nical or dissipated or idiotic, you will b.
provided for"
Good bless you, my children" >" I eiac
ulated, fervently. "Surely you are no
to be stranded on the reefs that hav
wrecked my liieboat. Henceforth
shall be satisfied with the prospects q
Ethers future, let what will become q
me-"
"But you must not suffer, mother
dear" said George, earnestly. "The de
voted mother Of my own sweet VIII
shall never want for home or bread.'
"But, George, 1 cannot be burden o
your hands. You will have your ow
family to provide for, and 1 can new,
consent to q life dependence upon you.
"But what else will you do? Yo
cannot have a home in your own rigl
because you are not in a legal sense Il
head Of a family"
NY reader will remember that II
"married woman's sole trader hill
which has only become a law since n
journalistic existence NJ tba "
NORTHWEST, was not in force 4, ,l,o.
days, and what George declared No. :,
only the truth, but there was no NO.
escape or avoid IL, save only thron,
the divorce court, aud Of this doubt
benefit 1 could never bring myself
take advantage, as you have seen.
"Are your plans matured, my boy
asked, feeling devoutly thankf
through all my trouble, for the divi
gift Of such a son.
"Yes, mother; they only await 70
aequiescence."
Name them. viii agree to whit
ever you may propose"
81 want to be married to- morrow" 8"
$50 soon ?" said Ethel, with frigt
ened look.
''Yes, darling. lam going to-morrc
to our county town to sign a deed th