The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-07-31
VOLUME VIII.

hear it mentioned, and ihat you prom
/ ise never to slander woman again.
There is no telling how many have
heard the shameful lie now" and he
ground his teeth 10 helpless rage to
think how poweTless be was to deal with
the invisible words that bad flown
abroad like winged seeds TO lodge in
fruitful soil and speedily bring forth
their noxious harvest.
"Oh, I'll do the handsome thing by
Miss-I mean, I'll do everything / can
to set things straight, for know she's a
first-rate girl, aud I'm awfully sorry,
you know, that l was fool enough to
listen to that old villains lies about
her." said Hartley, anxious to prove his
sincerity.
"Weli, if you are sorry, do everything
you can to stop it, said Frank, begin
ming to feel disgusted with his compan-
ions servility, and resuming his walk.
Hartley accompanied him, much to
his annoyance, and told him of the ef-
/ fort be made to induce the Captain to
abandon his design Of sending him a
challenge. But Frank was in no mood
to discuss things, and at length, per-
ceiving this, Hartley Withdrew, not
feeling entirely safe till the tall, broad
shouldered figure was out Of sight.
Frank had not gone much further
when he saw the unwieldy Captain, who
had already been warned, moving of in
the opposite direction, as il be were un-
conscious Of Franks nearness. Quick
ening his pace a little, he soon came up
to a group, among whom was Mr.
Green, and all Of whom ceased talking
as he approached. He felt the indig-
nant blood rush to his head till his brain
seemed on fire, but he made a strong ef-
fort to remain calm, and began to con-
verse with an acquaintance. Gradually
the men who had been conversing on
Franks approach moved away, Mr.
Green among the rest, till only Frank
and his acquaintance, Mr.. Jenkins, re-
mained. Then the young man said,
abruptly, speaking Of Green:
THAT scoundrel was talking some
villainy when I came up just now,
wasn't be ?n
"Well, I don't know as you would
call it that" said he, "but he said some
thing I don't believe, Stoddard."
"What was it ?" demanded the latter,
feeling his heart almost stop beating as
be listened for an answer.
"Well, don't like to repeat anything
unpleasant" said the man, "but he said
that you had declined his friends chal-
leuge to fight duel, aud that you was
afraid to meet him"
"Was that all ?" said Frank, feeling
great weight lifted from his heart, for he
had feared to hear the scandal repeated.
"WeI, no." said the man, "not all, Of
course. He said you aud Captain Tai
bot had some trouble over a loose char
acter, and you know about what would
be said under the circumstances" >" said
he, hastily, seeing the change the last
words made in the young mans face.
'Did be mention any names ?" said
Frank, in low, hoarse voice.
''No; he said it would all come out in
few days" said Mr.. jenkins. "Why,
Stoddard, what's the matter? You
look badly is it anything serious?"
Nothing is the matter with me; but
the villains are trying to ruin my
adopted sister" said Frank, staggering
TO the wall aud leaning against it, while
he removed his hat aud wiped the
perspiration from his heated brow.
In few moments he recovered him
self, and briefly informed Mr. jenkins
Of ali that was necessary for him to
know, and received from him the assur-
ance that be sympathized with him
heartily, aud would refute the slander if
he encountered it.
Il have no doubt that was what Tai
bot was about TO tell when he saw YOU
coming aud made such hasty retreat"
said he. 81 wondered what made him
leave so suddenly. That hanger-on of
his, Green, stayed, Dragging that he was
going to whip you If you dared come
about him. But he seemed to change
his mind as you came up, looking as If
you were hunting somebody
"Well, I am hunting somebody now
and | want to lind him as soon as possi-
bic, too, before more mischief is done. -
said Frank, starting off rapidly in the
direction taken by Green, and followed
by Mr.. Jenkins, who wanted to witness
the meeting.
Turning a corner in a few minutes.
the young man came upon Mr.. Green.
just as the latter was giving highly
eolored account of his own proves and
Stoddard's cowardice. As Frank s:epped
up behind him, he caught the words, in
Green's mOckipg tone:
at was all about that girl he and Tall
bot had a row about, that's gone of with
another fellow"
Placing himself in front Of the man.
Frank said, in a tone Of suppressed rage:
"Betract every lie you have uttered
about this matter, or take the conse-
quences."
Seeing that there was no chance for
escape this time, Green pretended to fly
into a violent passion at the insult Of
fered him but after a few clustering,
bullying words from him. Frank struck
him across the face, shiveriug his light
cane at once. The fellow struck back