The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-02-20
CHAPTER XII

CHAPTER XIII
"T-I-please let me 20 with you to
the store, Mr.. Snowdeu, want to
speak with you she exclaimed, falter-
ingiy.
"But, don't understand, my daugh-
ter. thought you were ia the couns
. try" replied the narrow-visaged, little
man, his face as well as his voice ex-
pressing an odd admixture Of astonish-
ment and Interrogation points.
81 will explain by-anI-by, Mr.. Snow
den. Come on, please"
The narrow-visaged, little man heaved
a sigh Of relief He had entered the
door Of Jared's office intent upon a des-
perate errand. Never before, in all his
keen financial speculations, had he been
in such a strait as now.
Il is well-known adage that misfor-
tunes never come singly. Alonzo Snow
den, senior, had been disturbed by sleep
less nights for months prior to the last
reverses that were now upon him, and
Of the existence Of which not one Of
bis family yet had the least suspicion.
After he had borrowed the money
from a speculator TO release himself
from the clutches of the law, which
clutches be had had all the more reason
TO dread because he had we'll known that
the usurer was rot man who dealt in
mercy, be had breathed more easily for
a very brief season. But complications
Jhickened around him, and the breakers
Of bankruptcy drew nearer continually.
His only bOpe now was 10 stave off the
lega. opportunities Of bis creditors by a
small advance payment until something
should turn up, aud he really did not
know what. a drowning man will not
more surely clutch at straw than will
a man who is sinking into insolvency
seek 20 retrieve his fallen fortunes by
the merest ghosts of subterfuges. Aud
Snowdeu knew that Jared regarded him
with suspicion, so il was doubly hard
for him To seek a loan iu that quarter.
sudden hope, accompanied by a
sharp twinge OF fear, shot through his
frame when be encountered Grace. He
was too full Of his own troubles to note
that her eyes were Wild and glistening,
aud her cheeks flaming with excitement.
She was the single straw that came ia
bis way at which be clutched instinct
lively.
"God must have sent you to me,
Grace" he said, as soon as they wer,
alone.
"Why do you think so ." aske,
Grace, ia her mind Of course referriu.
20 her husbands trouble.
because 1 have cried unto bim, and
be has promised to deliver all who be
lieve in him, from the ways Of dark
ness"
"How long have you known, sir
that Alonzo Suowden was bad man p
"Who said that said he was bad o
and the wiry, nervous little man CAV
"A more nervous start than even when d.
had suddenly met her face to face.
Nobody has need TO say it, sir. Fact
speak for themselves"
"VOmanr' aud the prematurely ol,
aud narrow-visaged little man graspe,
her hand eagerly, "what do you know
about my sou that is bad? Are 90,
going to turn against him too ?"
81 know enough, sir, TO put him il
the State prison If he had his just de-
serts. Indeed, know ALL"
"He didn'ttell you about that money
did he?" asked the old man in stil
more excited way.
"That forgery, DO you mean ?" aske
Grace, iuvoluntarily, though why sh
should have spoken thus, she could no
for her life have told. But now th
question was out, aud its import fright
ened her.
"Who told you that Alouzo was
forger?' he cried, his voice husky su
his eyes glaring.
Nobody" was Grace's truthful n
ply. "He is your son, and beg yol
pardon for having made such r
mark.
But he's yOUr husband, woman! Al
you and he must stand or fall together
"Mr. Snowden, let Us not again d
lude to this painful subject while we q
on the street. See, we are attractir
the attention Of the passers-by"
True, had forgotten. But here v
are at my store. Let rs go in"
The wiry, nervous little man TWIST
nervously at the shank Of a pondero
KEY, and in a moment the rusty pivo
Of the door hinges swung ereaking ba,
and admitted them into what seemed
Grace a mighty cavern, so dark al
mouldy and damp was il.
"Do you spend much Of your tiu
here, Mr. Snowden p" she asked, with
shiver.
"Ive spent two-thiris OF my exii
ence here during the past quarter Of
century," be replied, iu a voice so h'
low that Grace was reminded OF the q
hymn, "Hark from the tombs."
"But you don't stay here in this sen
darkness" said Grace, with an exc
nation Of wonder in her voice tt