The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-05-22
ELlNOR NORTON.
l:Y MARY SHANE SMITH



some idea OF The task size had set her
self; bui Size loved 10 study, aud, AMI
mated by u3bie motive. she felt more
than ever determined 10 persevere, be-
lieving that, even though she might
ever be able to complete her medical
udies at a college, yet she was acquir-
ng knowledge that would doubtless be
sefui 10 her, and that was, at any rate.
aroadening and Strengthening ber mind.
The old friend Of her mother, before
ueutioned, who was a physician and
ld known her mother in her youth,
iook fatherly interest in Elinor and
sisted her in many ways about her
ldies. He and bis family were in a
distant part Of the country when Mrs.
= orton died, and, bad they been in the
y, Elinor would probably have found
home with them.
During the last few years DIR. Duff
lad lived in Philadelphia, and, as busi-
IS often brought him to New York,
ae frequently saw Elinor, in whom be
st felt interested for her mothers
81 Se, but whom be soon learned TO
ze for her own worth. Her quiet.
modest manners, her quick intelligence,
her love Of knowledge, aud, possibly,
more than that, her interest in his own
profession, in which he was an enthu-
siasti made him form a high opinion
Of the orphan girl, who was so unlike
most of those OF her own age and sex
lie knew. He encouraged her in her
plans from the moment he learned she
thought Of studying medicine, and pri-
vately 10 bis wife. who fully agreed
with him, he declared that "Elinor
Norton was worth a thousand Of the
fashionable dolls who held up their
hands in horror at a woman physician,
and who didn't have sense enough TO
know when they were killing them.
selves :" aud the benevolent old doctor,
whose years had not made him an old
fogyi dreamed a very pleasant little
day-dream about the future Of his IA
vorite-"If she doesn't throw herself
away upon some good-for- nothing cox
comb :" be said, suddenly rousing up
from an earnest inspection of the glow
ing open Ore, which made the crisp
October evening seem warm ami sum
mer-like.
"Well, my dear" said his wife, "she
may marry and still not throw herself
away, you know. ! never felt that
had thrown myself away, even II did
marry the widest young fellow i'm the
village; but there was never anything
bad IN your mischief. But really, dear,
l don't like to hear you talk as you so
often DO about such things have
always been so happy myself, and our
boys are so good aud kind to their wives
that 1 cau't help feeling that marriage
is the best thing that can come to a
woman" and the sweet-faced old lady
flushed a little at this unusually long
speech, aud because she felt 20 much
more than she said.
Her white-hairsd companion looked
fondly into the mild blue eyes that Lad
for Sd many years brlghted his home,
and then said, with sigh;
Little you know of the world about
Us wife. Il is true that when men aud
women are both what they should he,
married life it, with all ITS trials and
troubles, the happiest aud best this
world anords; bui if you could know
Che young msu Of this or amy other city,
yau would dread To see any girl you
love entrust her life 10 one Of them.
olr boys were exceptions. They had
an exceptional mother aud decent
t er, aud yes, know there are other
exceptions, Of course, but they are rare,
and one can't calculate upon remote
chances in his favor wheD he is sure
they are like angels visits. If We had
had daughters, and they had married, I
fear you would not have looked upon
mankind in general as kindly as Won do
now; at least, it would have been very
strange If we had not had cause to
grieve more than we have, and that l.
why ! hope Elinor will not get inter
ested in any one more than she now is
in her studies. She would make a
splendid wife if only the right kind Of a
man knew il aud would come aud win
her. but she'd better stay single all her
days than waste herself on any Of the
popiujays that are idling around her, ol
the scoundrels that, though smart
enough, are not fit to associate with 9
decent woman for an hour even. n say
nothing Of life."
There's no use talking, wifs.n n,
continued, as he saw she was about 9,
demonstrate. "Tve always kept IN
pleasant things from you as much as
could, for I couldn't bear to have yor
grieved and worried when il couldn't d
any good; but must say that dom
know a decent young fellow there sine
Frank Stoddard has gone TO Europ,
and ] suppose he'll come back with som
German or English girl for a wife, fo
The girls are not much more desirable a
wives for sensible, good men than tn
youug men are for husbands to pur,
GOOD girls, though heaven knows tn
girls are enough better than the youu
men,"
"Its a pity" be went on, "that Fran
and Elinor never fell in love with eac
other, they are so well suited to on
another but, being brought up togett