The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-06-12
ELlNOR NORTON.
BY MARY SHANE sMIru


CHAPTER XL
EHor found Mrs. Stodlard sitting a.
her desk, eueaged in writing. She did
"ot look up, nor ia any way notice
Eiinors appearuee-a reception not
caicu.sts'i Go remove The painful feelings
that filled tie heart Of The latter, who
seated herself presently, near the fire.
% await ihe pleasure Of The mistress OF
The house.
ln few minutes The writing was ap-
pareutly finished, for Mrs. Stoddard
closed her desk after arranging some pa
pers, and, still holding them ia her
hand, came and took seat opposite
Elinor- After few moments size said,
as though speaking to total stranger:
''You have several times told me you
wished to study medicine. / have de-
cided 10 allow you to do so.
Elinor was speechless with amaze
ment at this unlooked-for concession,
though OF course she knew the motive
that prompted it. She had expected re-
proaehes, not concessions. At length,
feeling that she must say something.
she began:
81 am very grateful to you, I am sure.
hardly know how to thank you"
"Tf you are very grateful, 1 suppose
you are willing 10 agree to some condi-
tions," interrupted Mrs. Stoddard, snser-
ingly.
Certainly" said Elinor; anything
possibly can do, will promise"
though her heart sank as she instantly
thought Of what might be required Of
ber.
'Nery well, then" D." replied Mrs. S,od-
dard. 81 will agree 10 send YOU TO one Of
the best medical colleges till you have
completed the course, pay all your ex-
penses, aud when you are ready TO be-
gin business for yourself, / will give you
5000. 1 have just written to a friend
IN Paris 10 know il she can take YOU, II
you wish TO 60. The conditions are
these" aud her voice grew harsh and
relentless. "You must promise never
10 merry my son, never TO correspond
with him, nor have anything 10 do with
him, and you are 10 tell him so in nv
presence; or, if you prefer not 10 see
him, will tell him and you are 10 90
at once and stay with some friends Of
mine till you nre ready 10 begin your
studies"
An indignant flush arose on Eliuor's .
face as she listened, and when the
speaker STOPPED, she raised her eyes.
bright and flashing, to the others face,
and said, in clear, strong tones:
"What have ] ever done % make Won
think me capable Of such haseuess? I
would not touch a dollar Of your money
on such conditions 10 save my life. Il
viii leave your house. Of course-I in- /
tended 90 90 that-but will agree 10 no /
such terms. It is not my fault. Icould
not help IT, ] tried to avoid anything
that would cause you trouble, tut could
no. always. ] ought to have gone
away long ago, and would, If you had
let me-" she said sadly, as If her iudig-
nation had already spent itself iu her
few hasty words.
Ms. Stoddard was pale with anger,
and her black eyes Cleaned threaten
ingiy while Eliuor spoke, aud she said, I.
coutemptuousIy, as saou as the lstter
ceased:
''I supposed that was about what all /
your professions OF gratitude were
worth. am not surprised, after your
shameless plotting 10 gel Frank. that you
should show out in your true eoiors
when you thinl, you have succeeded. /
understand now why you treated young
Hartley aud Captain Talbot so shame
fully. Yes, I see it all, she continued.
bitterly. "What a fool was not to see
it then Z did suspect IT,; but ought
10 have known it,"
"Mrs. Stoddard," said Eiiuor, trying
hard to speak calmly, al have not mer-
tied such language from you, and I can
not bear IL. I have not plotted to win
any one" She felt as if she could not
bear TO utter Franks name in such an
interview. "I have not treated anv
one heartlessiy. I refused those men
because I did not love them, justa as I told
you-not because I thought Of any one
else" her cheeks flaming to be accused
Of conduct so hateful aud disgusting to
her
"Eeally, you would make quite an
actress p said Mrs. Stoddard, scornfully; /
"bat, though you can impose on mex /
Ierienced young men like my unfortu- I
nate son, your efforts are quite wasted /
on me, so you might just as well save
your defamation for more appreeia.
tive audience"
Eliuor struggled hard to keen down
the hopeless tears that sprang TO her
eyes at such cruel treatment, and when
she could command her voice, she said
with dignity, as she rose 10 leave the
room
"Siuce you Will believe nothing / can
say, trust l may be spared any further
Insults, aud be permitted TO retire"
"No, ! shall permit no such thing,m
quickly replied Mrs. Stoddard, decidedly.
This matter must be settled at once.
Go not Intend 10 allow any more such
sebeming TO 90 on under my roof.
will not permit any one in my family to
set my authority at defiance ia this
manner. If you will not listen 10 rea-
son, and accept my terms, you will have
to depend on yourself and go where you