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

CHAPTER XXVI.
But Alonzo Snowden was nowhere t.
be found. IL il was all in vain that dill
ic-nt search was made for him, in the
barn and through the fields aud or.
chlrds. No trace or track Of him could
be discovered.
] suppose his conscience has carried
hn off," said Grace "At least, for rny
osn sake, I hope So"
Sister miner' exclaimed Lillian,
soon as they were alone together,
aon't you love your husband >"
Grace curled her lip contemptuously,
and her cheeks flushed scarlet.
81 thought did, when I first became
acquainted with him, bat now, I-don't
know-as did even then. suppose I
was fascinated. He had a very taking
way, as you know, Lillian; and then
that smileof his was simply y'irresistable.
l had never seen many young men;
scarcely any, in fact, except the muddy
booted clod-hoppers that father hired
on the farm, and wasn't competent
20 be much Of a judge, either Of men,
or Of my own feelings. Do you remem-
Der the conversation we had together in
the corral the first time we ever met the
fellows who are now our husbands ?"
80, Gracew exclaimed Lillian, turn
ing deathly pale, edo you think ever
could forget it ?"
81 don't know was the unsuspecting
reply, "but do know that that was the
last spasm Of common sense that 1 ex-
perienced before my name became Grace
Snowden."
"But, sister, I think it is your duty to
forgive Alouzo, and never let him feel
any more annoyance over his sin.
Surely he has suffered enough already"
"Who says I haven't forgiven him
Butt detest myself for it, though. Lii
Ian, suppose the conditions had been
reversed. Suppose I had been the sin
ner, then what ?"
ooh, that's different"
"How different? Aud why >"
"Women should be the conservators
Of public and private morals. They are
by nature better aud purer than men"
"Fiddlesticksw
Don't be so impatient, Grace. You
have proved by your conduct through
all this trouble that you are
better than any man. Now, I beg
you, do not spoil your good intentions
by treasuring an unforgiving spirit"
but, say am not better than any
man ought to be, though know have
acted better through this trial than any
man would have done. I wanted to
save Alonzo and wakeu bis dormant
better nature, but now he has run away,
and am glad Of it,"
Iu her heart, Lillian devOutly wished
that she could only know that the er-
ring adventurer had run away for good
and all. But she did not believe it, and
the sequel proved her surmises correct.
"Let Us take a stroll together, down
through the old woods where we used
TO wander when We were children. o,
Grace, it seems such long time since
then. Aud 1 sometimes fancy that the
whole world is out Of joint Now, YOU
have the material in you for a heroine.
don't mean those impossible heroines
one reads Of in novels; but one Of those
Spartan characters We learn about in
history"
"But the siDtile can never be complete,
sister. The noble women Of history
had still nobler husbands than
themselves, according 10 the record,
and my husband has proved
himself a wicked, self-conceited craven.
I loved him, or / thought did. He
wronged me in making me his wife, and
he trebly wronged another in the same
wicked act. I fear that / can never
trust him, even If he comes back to me.
And swear to you, sister mine, that
shall continue the sacrifice Of wife
hood ouly 10 please my father and
mother, and hold up the respectability
Of the family"
"Iou believe you'll see him again,
then:"
"Of course do. He hasn't the men.
tai anu moIal stamina 20 provide for
himself He yet has his eve on nv
thousand acres, a small portion Of which
was compelled to mortgage in order 10
meet the demands OF his father and
himself in settling up their business. I
shouldn't wonder il we'd fiud him down
here in the grotto."
The sun was sinking low in the heav,
ems, and the deep, calm wood into whicl
the sisters had wandered was delight
fully cool, aud appropriately gloomy.
"Husl-Se-Se" said Lillian, her fingel
on her lips. "Look"'
Under the shadow Of an aged log
half hidden by The ferns that grew lux.
uriautly in the prevailing damp, Alonzc
shrank covering in the presence Of 8
stalwart stranger.
Il tell ye, young scamp, I'm not sat
isied. You've got to she'll out another
invoice Of tin, or I'll blowp' exclaimed
the stranger.
"But bargains a bargain, old man