The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-03-27

AANA huWnH &c AN NNhANA ~ ~ ---a
aud it's deuced tough TO be forever dog
ged by an old skin-flint who won't stand
by his own contracts"
Did Alonzo observe the approach o.
the sisters that he had suddenly grown
so brave?
"My gal is crazy, and done for" said
the stranger. "She was as buxom and
likely lass a. one would wish 10 meet
able TO earn her four bits a day as 6
house hand, or her dollar in the field
1 never had no trouble with her till
she got her heart set on you, and then
she wasn't worth her salt. You might
A. married her and saved your bacon
but you concluded 20 feather your nesi
by loftier match, and now you musl
pay the damages aud take the conse-
quences."
/ CPL parley with you no longer, old
man. Ny wife shall not be compelled
to suffer further because Of my early
misdeeds. Through her property /
have been enabled to free my poor
father from your first claim. Ny wife,
who is the noblest woman in existence,
unless it be her sister, who is just like
her, has adopted poor Naney's baby
girl. Now do your worst. This il to be
our last interview"
"Then, you won't pay me anything
for the loss o. Naney's services during
the three years she'll yet be under age?"
"No. Sue wasn't your slave or one
of your cattle"
''Then, take thatr
The blow that accompanied the word
was so sudden and unexpected that
Alonzo had no time to ward it of. He
fell forward upon his face, his nose and
mouth bleeding.
"What have you done ?' cried Lii
liam, advancing into view.
The stalwart stranger, seeing himself
discovered, turned aud hed. He had
struck to kill, and did not dare to re-
main in the presence Of witnesses to the
deed, even to wait a knowledge Of the
exact measure Of his success.
Grace stood as if turned to stone. Lii
liam raised the unconscious head Of the
erring little man aud turned his face to
the light.
"Grace, rum for Gods sake! Murder,
Helpr' she cried, her manner revealing
TO the wife the pent up fires Of her deep,
though singularly misplaced affection.
Nonsense, LII! he will not die"
said Grace; "there will he no such luck
for me-"
! But she mechanically turned her
face homeward in search Of the required
assistance, her blood fairly frozen with
horror.
al wish Lii had himr' she said, half
audibly. "Pd wish her joy OF him; !
would"
In the edge of the forest she met John
Anders, who, becoming alarmed at the
absence Of bis wife and Grace, was out
in search Of them.
90, John, Johnl For heavens sake,
be quick Lillian's down there alone
in the wood with Lon, and saw
man fell him to the ground, and I'm
going for help and she's guarding him
till somebody comes. Do hurry!"
The news, alarming as it was, did not
prevent an honest tumult Of Indignation
to surge in Johns excited veins.
"Why didn't you stay with him, and
let Lillian come after help ?" he asked,
as they ran.
because I didn't think Of it,"
"Who hurt him?"
"Old man ShaddOn."
81 hope he's killed him outright"
"You forget that you're speaking Of
my husband, Mr. Anders."
"Women are enigmas, anyhow" said
John to himself, as the two approached
the log where Alonzo lay. Lillian was
on her knees beside the PROSTATE figure,
bathing, as best she could with her wet
handkerchief, the blood-staiued face Of
the unconscious man whom in imagiua-
tiOn she hal so ardeutly and wickedly
worshiped.
LILLIAN, you forget that you are
usurping the place Of another" said
John, gravely, as he pushed her rudely
aside and motioned Grace to approach
Don't be fool, John" said Grace
under her breath. "Don't let LILLIAN i'm
agine that you're jealous. She'll hate
you if you do"
"a rent non Jealous %
"TPr
The mouosylIable was enough. John
understood it, and looked at her gravely
"You are wiser than IT, he said aloud.
"But do you really think he'll die ?''
"No."
"How long since was be struck ?'i
"Perhaps eight minutes"
Il was now LTlisn's turn 10 stand as
If petrified.
"Nobody ever dies whose existence is
curse" said Grace, bitterly.
Lillian would have reproached her for
this little speech, but for the grave, sad
eyes Of her husband which were turned
beseechingly upon her.
I'VE must have help to get him to the
house." said Grace.
I'VE can carry him." John replied.
HE isn't heavier than an ordinary
twelve-year-old, and there's a sort Of lit
ter yonder in the bushes that we three
can manage. 1t looks as If somebody
had made 1t for some such purpose"