The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-03-01


Ny husband and I recovered from
both indisposition and weariness, and
life on ship board returned to its accus-
toned channels.
Occasionally we had religious service
in the cabin upon week evenings, and
always upon Sundays. Elder Chalmers,
by right Of his superior age, took pre-
cedence over DR.. Motley on all impor-
tant occasions, and his fierce excoria-
tions Of original sin, which burn in my
memory until this day, made a gloomy
impression upon US that scarcely ever
wholly left US during the week.
1 wonder what the heart Of man can
be made of whose organism is so fear
fully filled with imaginable horrors
that the secret workings Of his soul are
enstamped upon his features till his
every eye flash becomes a terror to those
around him.
Ihdted Elder Chalmers. I hated him
with perfect hatred. His detested image
was before me day and night. 1t came
between my mental vision and my be-
loved and handsome husband. His
voice hissed in my ear like a serpent
when no one was near me. His rebuke
followed me through the silent night,
and 1 verify believe 1 would have at
last committed suicide to be rid Of him
had it not been that his lurid presenta-
tions of the condition of the eternally
lost were forced upon my inner sense
with such strong conviction that I did
not for an instant doubt their truth.
Mrs. Chalmers, poor thing, faded con-
tinually. Her hands and face grew so
nearly transparent that the blue veins
could be traced by sight across the yes
sells deck.
I spoke to Gerald about her failing
health.
"Nonsense, wifep' he answered, crust
lily. "The Elder is a medical man, and
he would know if she were really in
danger. It is the confinement to the
ship that ails her. She'll be all right
when we get to Melbourne
"But, Gerald, may 1 speak to her
You have no idea how much good it
would do me-"
1 think my husband liked my assump-
tion Of meekness.
you've been a good little wife. to
obey me as you have done lately, and
would not object to your request, only
the Elder would not like it. We must
not forget that we are host and hostess
on the vessel, and that good breeding
requires Us to be courteous to our guests. -
''But is it courtesy in me to ignore
Mrs. Chalmers, Gerald %
My husband had not thought of that.
wonder why it is that men, who
pride themselves so much as they do
upon their chivalry toward women, SO
often forget to render them simple jus
tice.
saw that I had gained point, and
that Gerald was considering it. I
climbed upon his knee, as a little child
might, and patted him lovingly upon
the forehead and cheek.
"You're a dear old bear, and you know
just what to do and how to do it, and
you must manage that weazen-faced old
patriarch Of the dead, and give me a lit
tie chance to administer aid and comfort
to the dying. Won't you? There's a
dear"
"What will you have, little one ?p
"Why, you see Mrs. Chalmers lying
there, on the seat where we used to meet
and converse before her old reprobate OF
husband forbade it. Now, 1 want you
TO lead me up to her and bid me wait
upon her. You are the ships master,
you know, and the Elder must bend to
your authority. Let him see that your
high sense Of duty to travellers in your
charge is your motive. He will not
dare to oppose you, Gerald. And that
woman is dying. She has something tc
say to me which 1 want to know al
about, so I may tell you Of it,"
If you want TO gain the ear or acqui
escenee Of man, just hint mystery t
MIN / know that women are supposed
to be the worlds curiosity seekers. Bu
u Is not they alone, but men as well
who seek to discover that which is no
intended for their understanding
My husband did not know tbe, bor
Tented, nor that be led me 70 NJ.
Chalmers and bade me wait mon -
from motives Of curiosity; but knew
it, and, dearly as 1 loved him, I coDl
not honor him as I should had onl
grand and philanthropic motives IN
spired him to the act.
"Find out all you can about her, lit
one. know Lord Both wick is in SON
mysterious manner connected with b,
history"
By this time we had risen and al
preached very near to where she Ia
upon the bench, propped by pillow
which Mrs. Motley had arranged for b,
comforti for she seldom sat up now. NJ
less supported by the Elder, from wbol
she shrank IN instructive loathing.
'Mrs. Chalmers" said my husban
II have revoked the command forbi