The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-07-03

/ voice, though she saw litat TIC va"
greatly aeiiaied, and felt that she could
hardly command herself enough to con
verse.
"Well, you came after the runaway,
did you ?" said the doctor, as all seated
themselves again, Elinor little back
OF the others. 81 was expecting you.
But I think you are too late, for she aud
have entered into a sort Of partner
ship, you see, and / shouldn't like to
have my business prospects spoiled
when they are so promising. But young
lawyers are very apt to make more
trouble than they mend, and 1 will
have to keep my eye Oh you or lose my
partner-eh, my girl ?'' turning to Eli
nor, who, with wildly beating heart,
tried to answer, while Frank, smitten
with a sudden fear, set his teeth bard
and strove to appear calm. Seeing
Elinor's distress, he drew the DOCTORS
attention from her, by saying quietly:
"Perhsps it would be best to leave the
decision entirely with her, doctor"
Then he began to make inquiries
about various things, and soon got the
old doctor to talking with great vivacity
about some Of his hobbies, Of which he
had many, always being engaged in
something that steady going people
considered Quixotic.
Mrs. Dufi's eyes were keen as well as
kindly, and she at once saw that there
was some reason for which Frank
wished to see Elinor alone.
"a lovers quarrel, I suppose, poor
things" she said to herself, Though
neither Of them looks apt to be unrea-
sonable. Well, hope they will make
it up, even il we do have to lose her,
for they seem just suited to one another.
It would be a shame for her to be an
old maid, no matter If she would make
good doctor"
And this born match while
talking pleasantly to Elinor about
everyday matters, was all the time
planning how she could get the doctor
away, so as to leave the young folks
alone.
While she was thus meditating inter-
ference in Franks behalf, that young
gentleman was listening as patiently
as possible to the doctors enthusiastic
talk, while ElinOr was scarcely con-
scious OF what was said to her, though
she seemed TO be listening to the old
lady's rambling remarks. Suddenly, to
that inconsistent PERSONS delight, the
door bell rang again, and this time the
doctor really had to go. His wife hus-
tied about, and helped TO make him
comfortable for the walk, and, when he
was fairly off, excused herself on the
ground that some household duties re-
quired her attention, aud then left
them, hoping that the doctor would be
detained long enough to give the young
people time to "make 1t all up" as she
said TO herself
81 do wonder what it's all about" she
thought. "The poor girl is that white
she looks ready to faint, and he is so
excited he hardly knows what he's
about. I declare l do feel sorry for
them, poor things; they both look as
If they were in trouble"
Now that they were alone, aud Frank
had the opportunity he wanted, his
courage almost deserted him, and he
knew not what to say. Something in
Elinor's face, when the old doctor ban
tered her, made him feel that perhaps
she might, after all. have plans differ
ent from his own. There was a painful
silence for a few moments, aud then the
young man rose and took a seat near
Elinor, who was trembling violently,
her eyes fixed on the floor, her heart
throbbing wildly with conflicting emo
tions, that by turns made her joyous
and wretcbed. Frank took her hand,
aud, gently holding and caressing IL
with both his own, said, so tenderly
that the tones seemed TO penetrate her
heart:
"My darling, l am so sorry could
not have saved you all you have gone
through. It was terrible. You were
right. I know il all now. But you
shall never suffer so again. have come
to protect and care for you always, Il
you will let me. May II" he added
softly, as she did not at once answer.
so, Frank % she exclaimed, strug-
Cling bard for self-control, "did you mol
get my letter."
What letter? No, have not re.
eeived any from you. When did you
write? ?" said he.
"Just before left. I wrote, telling
you that l had promised your mother
never to marry as long as she opposed
it," said the poor girl, in a scarcel,
audible voice.
"Hou do not mean It, Elinor. Yor
cannot mean to make me so miserabl,
] because my mother has treated vor
cruelty and shamefully," said he. an
e pealingly.
u "Oh, 1t was not that" she basuI,
& said, glancing up at him. "It was n
your sake. She said she would peve
!, forgive you, and would not even see Won
d and felt that must not be the cans
of separating you from your mother.
r. could not. Frank, It would have bee
e dreadful to make her hate you as we'll q
a me. We could not have been happy
!. even together" And the soft brow
! eyes so earnestly raised to his drop2e
II at the last words, while Frank bent fol
; ward eagerly and caught her other hap,
!. saying, impetuously;