The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-04-17
CHAPTER xxx.

CHAPTER xxx.
Lillian shrieked in nervous fright,
aud Grace was in a sore dilemma. But
her womau's wit came quickly to her
aid, and she did, upon the impulse Of
the moment, the very thing which
caused her to marvel afterward at her
ready tact and sudden intuitive Wis
dom.
"Did anybody ever steal your little
baby girl 2" she said to the crazy cIea-
ture, as she looked her calmly in the
eye.
Nancy Shaddon, for it was none other
than she, though how she had escaped
from the asylum was yet a mystery,
clutched eagerly at an awakening,
though clouded niche in her memory.
"Yes, yes! they stole my baby, my
poor, wee baby girl. remember it all
now. But the visitor who called her
self Alonzo's mother-can ylu tell me
anything about him 21 and the POOR
girl gazed into the deep, sad eyes Of
her friend with strange, scintiilating
leer, aud seemed instantly to forget all
about Alonzo's mother and the child.
"No, dear; I can't tell you anything
about him, except that God has taken
him. But, the chiId-wouldn't you
like TO see herr"
The coarse cultural laughter instantly
gave way to hysteric sobhing.
"If only could iud heri Poor thing!
poor thiug!" she walled "But hc for
sook me, and they took my baby away,
and for years they have kept me IN a
mad-house. Look at me- Do y0u
think am mad ?"
Grace stroked her 5ushy, unkempt
hair as tenderly as she had toyed lit
tie while before with her sisters fast
failing locks.
"Of course you're not mad" she
wisely said. you're only seeking
your baby; aud it's The world that's
mad. Come with me to the parlor,
won't you ?"
ayes; I'll 90 with you. I know
you're good and kind and you'll tell me
about my baby"
Grace led the way through the hall
to the open parlor, where evidences Of
wealth aud culture abounded in rare
profusiou.
as this heaven? Aud am 7 dead %
cried the girl, ruboiug her eyes as ID
awakening from dream.
"I hope il may be heaven 20 you,
poor darling" answered Grace. "Now
want you to sit down on this ottoman
at my feet, aud will take this easy
chair, and you may lean your heal
upon my knee-so-aud we will max,
believe that We are queen and princess
How will that DO p
The girl obeyed, as one dazed with be
wiidering thoughts. Grace laid he
hands upon her head, aud allowed he
hutteriug fingers 10 caress her throb
bing temples.
"Do you know, little princess, tina
you are really beautiful % she asked
playfuiy.
Ell don't know anything that
princess ought 20 know, dear queen,
was The quick reply, iu tone 50 natura
that Grace 40 longer felt afraid Of her
"Theu shall I tell you a story"
"a real story?" aud the girls gaz
was no longer the sciuiillatiug leer O
insanity.
ayes, dear; a real story. And vii
you keep very still and listen closel.
till am done %
''Yes. But why ?"
because I shall not be able 20 % OF
and prove the story TO be true if you in
terrupt me. Do you understand %
"Yes; 90 on"
"Once there was good young gin
who loved bad man. Only She didn'
believe him bad. She was pure an
honest, aud be promised 10 make he
his wife. She didn't know how ba
the world was, and she trusted him q
she ought not to have done. Do 20
remember all tell you ?1
The clear light Of reason began
shine in the weird, Wild eyes, and a so
itary tear stole down the beamin
cheek Of the eager listener.
"He didu't make her his wife Al al
as be agreed continued Grace, .but I
went away aud married another gir
as guileless as the poor creature amtel
ing you about, but who knew uothil
about the existence Of the other on
that ought TO have been his wife"
"And what then ?"
Only princess promised not to int
rupt, remember"
"Oh. beg your pardou!'
Grace continued her story@
"The father Of the ruined girl CO
sidered himself the injured party, so
exac,ed heavy damages from the bs
young man who had wrought the ru
The young mans father paid the asse
ment, but the poor gir's father to
the money that bad been paid as ;
price Of her sin, aud cast the girl avn
Theu, when her baby was born, she
came a maniac. You are not TOO mt
excited to listen ?"
''No; go on"