The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-03-13

lhe Librarian ofcongress az Washington City.
CHAPTER XIV.
Grace met her anxious father with
enforced composure, and disarmed him
Of bis premeditated TRADE against
Alonzo by firm and fearless smile.
"And so You are in trouble, my
dauehter?7 be said, inquiriugly; aud,
much 60 the surprise Of Grace, he folded
her IN bis aims and audibly thanked
heaven that she was yet spared to him.
"Then you really love me, father?1
'Love you, child? Td die for you 90
'But, father l trust that you will
find it more profitable, If not more
pleasant, to live for me-"
Tell. me all, my child. am ready
to hear the worst, - and the grand old
Captain disposed Of his heavy body in a
chair that answered back with ominous
creaks, suggestive Of a collapse which
reached a climax when Grace seated
herself upon his knee, aud all came to
the floor in a heap together.
This diversion oceasioned some timely
meTiment, aud happily broke the way
for furtherconversation without further
embarrassment. The Captain next seat
ed himself cautiously upon a sofa, which,
though somewhat the worse for wear,
proved sufficiently durable for present
occupancy, and Grace nestled at his feet
upon a stool, and looked into his face
with her great wonder-speaking eyes,
aud waited for him 10 break the silence.
"AIl concealment must be over be-
tween as, my child. Tell me every
thing" said the Captain, aud there were
tears in his voice and stiaing sobs in his
utterauce despite his endeavor to enforce
calmuess.
'Father, there is something terribly
wrong in marriage"
What is wrong, my child?'
81 don't know, unless its i'm the law
THAT is only because your experience
has been unhappy"
Father, suppose you We're to euter
into a contract Tor co-partuership with
some person; and suppose you had act ed
in perfect good faith, ouly to find, after
you had confded your fortune aud your
honor TO his keeping, that he had he
trayed your trust and forfeited your con-
fidence. What would you do?"
"Why, Td get out Of it as quickly as
possible, and have nothing more TO do
with the rascal. And, il possible, I'd
send him 60 the penitentiary for obtain
ing money under false preteuses."
"Im glad To hear you say SO, father;
for had just made mp my lind 90 deal
with Alouzo iu that very manner"
"But be is your lawfully welded
husband, child, and it will never do for
you 10 even hintat such q thing"
Father 90 understand you Alright q?
Surely my senses must deceive me.
Would You have me believe that il is
right to condone in my husband, and
the father Of my children, a sin which
you would punish in a business co-part-
ner with the extreme penalty Of the
law p"
Captain Emerson was silent He was
digestug new idea.
"No wonder the world is filed with
criminals" continued Grace. 81 had
expected different decision from my
father, at least"
"My child, you bear the rascaTs name.
You are his wife. You have taken upon
yourself a lifelong vow. Should an
Emerson go back on her word ? I didn't
want you 20 marry the fellow, God
knows. But you would persist, and
now, for the sake OF respectability, you
must make the very best that you can o.
the consequence"
"This is your final decision Q"
at is"
Now, reader, am sorry that I am not
portraying such a character as Madge
Morrison or Matte Armstrong. Either
Of these would have risen in her mai
esty and defied both law aud custom for
the sake Of right. But Grace Emerson
was not a thorough heroine. Heruatu-
raj impulses were all for good, and her
perceptions Of duty were correct 10 the
abstract but she lacked the metal OF
which martyrs are made, and she bowed
her head before what seemed 10 De. her
destiny, and burst into tears.
"I am sorry for you, my poor child,
said her father, tenaerly. "But I am
so situated that cannot afford to have
a domestic scandal in my family. Il
would spoil my public prospects. II
everything goes smoothly, / shall get
into the United States Senate before an
other decade rolls around, aud don't
want 90 see my daughter figuring in the
newspapers as the divorced wife Of re-
spectacle kuave."
"Ihen you'll sacrifice me for the sake
OF office, will you ?'
"No child; it isn't so bad as that.
Alonzo has had good lesson now. and
il we'll see him through it aud help him
out, ] guess he'll be all right in the
future. AT any rate, IT'S our duty 70
give him a trial"
"But bis father is bankrupt, and he's
the cause Of it. Old Sbylock, over here.
you know him." pointing to the three