The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-05-01

aleau vi CtiiluE coroner huu thereby
taking pains TO give bevy Of idle
men an opportunity to hold an in
quest and pocket the fees, she uncon-
sciOusly took the law into her own
hands-at least for the nOnee. She
stopped over the hslf-putrid carcass and
took the paper from the clutching,
swollen hand.
To her surprise, it was addressed to
herself. With trembling fingers she
tore the envelope, and opening the mis-
sive, read as follows:
| ! am not ht to live. I die OF remorse, and by
my own bad hand. ] have taken aeonite. I
knew you would not betray me, but could
not bear 10 go 20 your house and meet you
face TO face. And yet, could not live unless
could see my child and beg her 10 forgive me.
I So, I die. Ny will Is recorded In the county
archives, and in it have not forgotten her.
know all. Bury me, but do not betray me-
God bless you. THE OLD Man SHADDoN.
That was all. Grace moved hurriedly
away, exposed the letter for a moment
to the breeze, and mounting, rode on in
the direction of the mills, first carefully
concealing the missive in her ample
pockets. On her way she met John
Anders, who bad Of late become a much
more frequent visitor at her home than
formerly.
81 am glad TO meet you" she said, ex
tending her gloved hand, upon which
the tsint of human decomposition yet
fingered.
"Are you, Indeed ?'' be replied, red
deuing. 1t was the first time that she
had ever given him that much personal
encouragement
81 wish you might be always glad to
see me-" be added, after pause.
"This is no time for sentiment or COM
pliment, John. Read that" she said,
diving into her pocket and bringing
forth the letter.
John read as be was hidden, his brow
darkening.
''The way of the transgressor is
hard" he said, bitterly, as he set his
teeth hard.
"True, unless he transgresses against
a woman" replied Grace. "The old
man murdered Alonzo, as you know,
and he has lived in daily fear Of expos
ure from that day to this"
"And it has only been to please you
and Lillian that have not long ago de-
livered him over to the mercy of the
law. think it was too bad to cheat
the hangman of his dues in his case"
was Johns rejoinder. "And now what
do you propose to do ?"
keep that letter sacred and secret,
for your perusal and mine and Nancy
Shaddon's. I'll inform the coroner
that l have found a body. IL will re-
main for him to discover its identity.
After the burial, we'll tell dearie"
at seems to me that you set uncom-
mon store by that girl, Grace"
"And so / should. She's as good as
gold. am satisfied that she is just as
chasle as her own true heart could let
her be. l never saw a more exemplary
woman, nor one more deserving of the
broadest charity. She has quick, in
tuitive intellect, and is wise in most
things far beyond her years"
"Then you prefer to keep this letter to
yOurself?"
"I do.n
"But it's against the law"
"What do I care for the law ? / have
no interest in it further than to pay its
| taxes"
"But they'll put me on oath, and Pn
have to tell that saw the letter"
Every we'll. Then I'll never tell you
anything again ~ and Grace whipped
her horse into a canter.
John Anders was nonplussed. It is
singular to observe the elasticity Of the
| human conscience under certain circum-
stances. Much as John wanted to fig
ure before the community as the con-
/ fdent aud successful suitor Of Grace,
he did long to be sure Of his prize be-
/ fore presuming too much on her pa
tience. He put spurs to his steed and
soon overlook her.
"Sdyg he exclaimed, in the common
vernacular Of those who desire the per-
son addressed to let them do the "say-
ing'' that they are commanding others
to do, ''Sayr'
Grace reined her horse and listened.
"You needn't tell anybody at the mills
that you've told me anything about
that suicide. Nobody will imagine
that 1 know, for I've come from the
ferry to-day. Just go on, and I'll re-
turn to the house. I had just started
out to meet you"
/ On the front veranda sat Nancy
Shaddon, with Essie and the four half
orphaned children Of John Anders play
ing in groups about her like so many
butterflies.
"HaIloar' cried John, alighting and
hurrying up the walk, the bevy Of
children heralding his approach with
clapping hands and loud exclamations
Of delight.
upon my word, Miss Nancy, you're
the fairest flower here" be said, bowing
gaIlantly, as taking two Of the children
in his arms he dropped carelessly into
rustic seat and allowed them to tumble
his hair and whiskers to their hearts
content.
Don't make pretty speeches to me-"
the girl replied loftily. "I do not de-
serve them"
'If you'd once bear Mrs. Snowden's
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