The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-05-08
ELINoR NORTON.
BY MARY SHANE SMITH

During one OF the heaviest snow
storms in the latter part Of the Winter
of IS, tall, graceful girl Of twenty
stood gazing out of the window of a
richiy-furnished room in New York
mansion. She was alone, and evidently
in trouble, for her soft, expressive brown
eyes looked heavy with grief, aud the
long, dark lashes dropped low on the
pale cheeks, family tinged with rose,
as she closed her eyes wearily TO keep
back the tears she would not shed. Her
golden brown hair was coiled in glossy
braids about her beautifully formed
head, giving her queenly look that
well became the fine figure and clear
cut features. Her firm, sweet lips were
set steadfastly, aud no lines Of care
marred the calm, noble forehead as she
looked out on the stormy scene, which
contained such threatening suggestions
as to her own possible future.
A hurryiDg, jOstling stream Of hu-
manity surged along the snow-covered
pavement. The chilling blast struck
with relentless fury upon the covering
forms of the thinly- clad poor and the tat
tered beggar. Even the rich and we'll
dressed drew their furs aud thick wraps
more closely about them as they hur-
ried on, intent on business or pleasure,
unmindful of the misery confronting,
/ following, surrounding them.
Eliuor shuddered TO see so many poor
working women struggling along
against the storm, some of them lead
/ ing pitiful-lookiug children, whose blue,
piuched faces told too plainly Of hunger,
as well as cold. 1t seemed mocking, not
merry music, that the jingling sleigh
bells made, as few dashing young men
drove by in stylish turnouts, careless
Of wind and snow, thinking only Of fun
aud frolic.
Presently a fine-looking gentleman
passed by, with rosy, merry-l0okiug
boy, whose delighted antics and capers
in the banks OF feathery whiteness
brought faint smile to Elinor's lips,
and recalled vividly her own childhood's
/ pleasures in Winter. She well remem-
bered with what a dreamy fascination
she used to watch the fairy, ileecy
flakes flying so airily down as they
eddied and whirled in their flight
/ from the pursuing wind. The deep, sad
eyes had far-away look in them now,
as she gazed beyond the ever-shifting
scene before her, and in fancy saw her
I self again a child, walking out with her
fond, indulgent father; and again, sit
ting on a low foot-stool at her mothers
knee, listening to the gentle tones and
gazing lovingly into the sweet, thought
ful face Of her she loved best How near
that patient, loving mother seemed
sometimes even nowl Last night she
came to her in sweet, comforting
dreams aud seemed to lay soft, cool
fingers on her aching brow, and caress-
ingly stroked the brown hair just as she
used to do, when her magic touch
charmed away some transient pain or
won sleep To her darling's too wakeful
eyes. The memory of the dreadful
parting pierced her with the old, cruel
pain, as her heart turned once more
with passionate longing to the mother
heart of love to which she might never
again he pressed. She lived over again
that first terrible Summer, whose fairest
flowers were only precious as she could
strew them on the graves OF her lost
loved ones. These memories were too
bitter The tears would no logger be
repressed, aud Elinor turned away from
the window, aud, placing her hand
upon the marble mantel, leaned her
head upon it, and for few moments
her frame shook with emotion.
But she soon mastered herself; and,
determining to think no more of the
painful past, she pressed her handker-
chief to her eyes, and drawing up her
symmetrical figure with something OF
her usual quiet dignity, she devoted
herself to the work of the imperious
present. Passing from mantel to table,
from bracket to piano, and from one
pretty nook to another, she collected
books and other small articles belong
ing to her, mostly mementoes of hap
pier days. Over some she hesitated a
moment, for they had been given by one
who no longer claimed the endearing
name of friend, and she did not like to
take them but she reflected that per
; haps it would be best, and so, before
long, her painful task was done.
She stopped in front Of handsome
portrait that occupied the best place on
the walls, and gazed at it long and ear
nestly. Her lips trembled and her eyes
grew din, while the small hands cIa~ped
the. carved chair-back tightly, as if foI
support.
At last she turned away, with al
aching heart, and walked swiftly from
the room, casting one last glance back
from the door before she closed it after
her. Then she was goue.
. CHAPTER H.
, Mr.. Norton had been prosperou:
New York merchant ever since Elinol
could remember, and had the reputation
j of being as sound financially as he wa
af laaf a., ef.F-