The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-12-18

Down One he"
The reader is left to puzzle over the
Transparent riddle and solve it to suit
himself 1t was the one gift Of Lie
HardIue to John Ingleton, and it was
the dearest revelation that could
come to any man, and the only one
which can ever come to any person in
/ its purest, holiest sense but once. The
writing was not only 'Lize Hardness
but the sentiment was so perfectly Ia
accord with his own that il was no Won
+ der that he priced it,
"Would it be any harm to see her Just
once more ." he thought, as for the
thousandth time he pressed the faded
gift to his iuttering heart.
Cautiously lie continued his packing,
moving steslthiiy ahont tile little room
for fear of arousing the family and
awakening their protest. He did not
fear that Tirzah would betray him.
The night was still as death aud hot
az the fabled Inferno.
JoAn sat down before the little open
window and barred his perspiring brow
to the heated air. Two men were riding
past on horseback
"You've made a lucky hit, ell, Sam ~
said one Of them.
"You may bet your bottom dollar on
that - was the exullant reply. "She
was devilish obstinate at first, but the
old woman falling sick finished the bus
mess. She couldn't think Of marrying
poor man now, with bed-ridden
mother to take care of in the bargain.
/ It's an IN wind that blows nobody any
/ good"
! The reply Of the other horseman WAS
not distinctly heard by the lone watcher
at the window-sill, but he had heard
enough, he thought, and the NEEDLE
some people Of Chincapin Oaks should
not be permitted to witness his humilia-
tion. He would soon be out Of sight and
hearing Of the one great agony Of his
existence.
"She's accepted him! That settles itr'
he exclaimed, with his teeth set bard.
That's just like a woman! ] did mean
to have one more interview, but it's all
over now. Wait ten years, aud we'll see
who's ahead-Sam Hardpau or John
Ingleton r'
The creaking Of the ladder leading TO
his attic startled him. \ timid knock
was upon his door.
as it you, mother?" lac said, ten
derby. "Come in"
"NIy son, said Mrs Ingleton, 81 have
been asleep, and l dreamed that you
were flying from your home, pursued
10y great black phantom. It was long
and horny and thin and CHASTITY, and I
knew all the while that it was phan-
tom of your fevered fancy aud tried
TO make you see it as I did, aud you
would neither look nor listen, but kept
running, running, running on, till you
were gone forever out Of my sight and
hearing. awoke and felt so badly that
1 couldn't rest until knew you really
were here. Don't be foolish, John.
You'll never find another who will love
you as your mother does"
"I know it, mother. You are always
true"
'I don't want to be inquisitive, my
son, and you needn' answer If you don't
want to; but-are you not engaged 20
Lie Hardine?"
81 was this morning. Tonight she
is engaged to Sam Hardpan -
"But heard it, not ten minutes ago,
from the lips Of the accepted suilor him
self"
ooh, John!"
81 did; and I'm going to leave the
country"
"And leave your mother, John ?"
"TIl send for you when have made
, my fortune, mother"
Mrs. Ingleton sank upon the floor, snd
laid her face upon the trembling knee
5 of her suffering boy.
my God my Godl if it be possible
, let this cup pass from me ~ she walled
, in heart-breakiDg accents.
D "Mother, for Gods sake, don't! You
thoroughly unman me. Heaven knows
have greater grief than yours 10
night. Not only must separate mysel
from you aud all the rest, but go on
: from the ashes Of my buried love, no
n uariug to look upon tue corpse :"
a His mother did not offer further pro
d test. Indeed, what was there left for be
: to say2 She did not doubt that be ha,