The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-08-28
ELINOR NOFTON.
By MARY SHANE SMITH.

Tie evening NelHEr Alfe lfE ffarlt'ff l1A
90 which =. e. i.sd 30 lo;g looked f.raard
found Eiin1r atone in her room, alb
sorbed in deep Thought Her sensitive
soul -hrauk FROM th- ordeal through
which she mast pass-the mise"neep-
tiou of motives tie cosrsc laugh and
s1eering jest, a. - e!l a. Tie open insult,
she had reason 70 fear from the expert
ence Of others. Her heart sank within
her, aud size thought with passionate
longing Of the sweet home picture she
had looked in upon early that evening.
Annie looked so blessedly happy and
Walter so foudly proud. true and noble,
that she could not help thinking Of
what her own lot M ght have been if
"Eiinor, dear, there is a gentleman
waiting for you in the parlor," said
gentle voice az her door.
Tie blood left her cheeks, and her
heart ceased beating a moment, then
poured a hot, flushing tide over lap and
brow as 10 futtered fast like a prisoned
bird.
81 will be down presently" she con
trolled herself to say and then, thank
ful that her dear old friend did not come
IN or say more, she hastily, uervously
prepared herself 20 meet the one gentle
man whose nearness could make such
subtle, super magnetic communication
TO her Of his name.
When she entered the pailor a few
minutes later, and Frank Sloddard rose
eagerly 10 meet her, she forgot her de-
termination 10 be reserved, and, indeed,
before she could speak, She found her
self clasped close iu those strong arms,
and the brown, bearded lips were muir
muring loving words very precious to
her lonely heart. But soon she drew
herself away, saying, sadly:
"This is not best for either Of us,
Frank; il will only make parting all
the harder"
"Don't speak Of parting now, Elinor,
before have fairly seen you" said be,
impetuously, seizing her hands and
holding them with such irm, tender
clasp that she wished they might only
remain there forever.
''You are more besutiful than ever,
Elinor," said be, as his dark eyes rested
on her with loving sdmiration; and
then, noting the downcast eyes aud
blushing cheeks, he gathered her again
to his heart, saying, with his soul in his
voice:
"Oh, my darling can you not yet re-
lent aud make me happy >"
"No; don't answer me yet" he said,
as she raised her head from his breast
"Listen TO me first, aud then decide.
have done everything you wished me
TO DO, and, so far as my mother is con-
cerned, it does no good, Eiinor, aud
am convinced it never will. She is i'm.
placahle 7 cannot understand her
Her conduct is a mystery. ] have triec
in every possible way to win her con
sent; by long, patient silence, AS wei
as by earnest persuasion, and il is al
alike useless. Now, I think we hav,
deferred 10 her wishes long enough.
cannot feel that any consideration o
duty or honor requires MS both to sacri
flee ourselves always as we are doing
As long as she can keep Us apart sh'
will; but If you will give me the righ
TO call you my own, she will soon ceas
10 resist the inevitable
so, Frank, you don't know how bar
you are making it for me ~ said Eliuor
, without looking up.
81 only wish could make IL so har
you could not possibly take anothe
step in the thorny path you are walk
ing" said Frank, quickly, just ting
ofimpatience in his tone.
81 must 90 on; there is no retres
possible" said she, in low voice, Will
drawing from his detaiuing arms an
taking a chair, while she motioued hir
to one near her.
He took one OF two quick turns acro'
the room in silence, though bis whil
forehead was drawn as II in pain, an
the firm, clear-cut lips were compresse
tightly. Then be seated himself befol
her, and said, in low, earnest tone:
"Eliuor, If you could only look 1
things as I do, you would retreat.
you only knew what 90, believe 70
would not persist in entering on III
so exacting, so toilsome, so certain
bring you iu contact with what is n
voting as well as distressing
"I have thought of all that, Frank,
said Elinor, gently, "but il does not al
pear 20 me IN the same light il does
you. 4 is much harder for me to 81
your distress aud anxiety on my d
count than it is to witness bodily pa
that can alleviate. The sad scenes y
speak Of are not unknown to me; but
do not think Of anything except how
relieve pain when I visit the sufleriI
This thought so absorbs my mind Il
there is no room for feelings that C
tainly would otherwise give me gr'
annoyance"
"But this is not all" said FraI
"You cannot know, as l do, how mu
is said about women physicians
shameless creatures that lady Qua
never to hear mentioned even, mt
less have to confront"
ooh, I feel as il I could not bear tha
said Elinor, shuddering; "and that
all I dread. But / must not be We
enough to give up all hope Of doing al
thing for fear of slander; and then
may escape altogether" +" she said, try