The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-08-07
ELINOR NORTON.
BY MARY SHANE SMITH.
CHAPTER XXuL

When Frank Stoddard met his mother
at dinner that afternoon, she could not
help seeing that something had oc-
CURED, though her sou eXerted himself
ta he utmost 10 appear natural aud 10
$3.50 ia exciting her suspicious Bat his
etprts were unavailing. for she became
uIarmed when be evaded her questions,
aHi he was finally compelled to admit
f.at the bruises on his face and hands
we're caused by "a difficulty" he had
lai "with a couple Of feilows.''
This only made matters worse.
what could you possibly have had
DO with such fellows as that ?'' said
lie naughty woman, who felt that the
fellows" referred to must, of course,
have been poor, miserable creatures,
not even aspiring to the name Of gem
men.
Mother" said Frank, grsvely, ait
can do no good to tell you the circum-
stances. Il would only make you un-
happy. 7 have done nothing wrong
and have received no particular in
jury. I have not injured any one else
ss-iously, either. hope there will be
no more such trouble to worry you"
But I am worried now," said Mrs.
Sroddard, peevishly, "and shall be till
know what trouble you have been
aving, and how you came 10 have any
hing TO do with low, coarse ruffians
who would treat you in this way. If
you do not tell me all about it, shall
De constantly uneasy whenever you are
away, aud my health is so poor that I
know I cannot bear the anxiety"
Frank still kept his own counsel, try
ing to think Of some reason that would
avail to quiet his nervous, irritable
mother He feared the result TO her of
knowledge Of the facts perhaps as
much as be dreaded the scene for him
s4lE
Mother" said he, at length, "it is
H1rtly for your own sake that am un-
Hing to speak freely Of this miserable
fair. do hope you will trust me, and
be- satisfied to let the matter drop. You
ould certainly not feel any easier in
mind II you knew all about it.'
But these words flashed a.suspicion
INTO Mrs Stoddard's mind, aud she an
srily exclaimed, with her black eyes
mapping:
as it anything about that hateful
girl"
Instantly seeing that she had sent her
shaft home TO the mark, she went on
hotly and bitterly, as she pushed away
her untasted food:
Yes, I know it is. I see it now.
You mean to break my heart and dis
grace Us both. You have no regard for
my wishes or my feelings. You would
saerifice me and all your own prospects
Everything the sake Of that shame
less thing who has defied the world and
given cause for scandal by doing what
no true woman would dare or wish TO
do"
81 will not listen 10 such language"
said Frank, rising and turning sharply
TO leave her; but she went on:
al believe you want TO break my
heart. You would be glad to have me
out Of your way! Then"
Stopv' said her son, turning back
hastily, horror mingled with pity in
face aud voice. "Stop these cruel, alb
surd words. You do not know what
you are saying, or you could not be so
dreadfuIly unjust What is the matter.
mother? You are not like yourself.
What have I ever done 10 cause such
horrible thoughts 10 enter your mind
What has poor Elinor done TO make
you hate her so bitterly? Yes. will
speak Of it," be said, coming nearer.
81 have always wondered what caused
such change in your feelings toward
US both. Tell me, mother-this life is
hard TO bear, and II anything eau be
done TO make it less so, should il not
be done, il il is possible ,"
The young man looked earnestly at
bis mother As be made his plea, and
came closer 20 her, hoping against hope.
She bad sunk into a chair when he in
terrupted her, and sat with her face
buried in her hands; but now she raised
il, calm, cold, cruel, naughty and unre-
leutng, and the faint hope died within
him, pierced by her angry glace.
you well know what you and that
girl have doue to make me miserable, u
she said, in an icy and distant tone. 81
cannot see why you ask. l have told
you quite plainly, and I do not see any
necessity for repeating what you know
too well already. You could very easily
make life more pleasant for me, and fol
yourself too; but, in spite Of what YOU
say, you will not do it. No, you would
not give her up if were dying and yor
knew it would save my life,' she SAID
suddenly, looking straight into hel
sons eyes, which for a moment fell
''I knew it," she said, in such ton,
of concentrated bitterness that Frank:
sorrow for her misery again overcamt
his anger at her injustice.
Mother, why will you make yoursel
so wretched for nothing ," he ex
claimed, earnestly. Why will you
imagine impossible evils and act as il
they were realities? Both Elinor and
/ would DO everything possible to make
you happy if you would only let US"
She made a gesture Of impatient dis.
dain; but be continued firmly:
tGN-orr r,ousf 1fcfar, to ma Won ear