The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-01-16

Snowden ?'
behind bolts and bars ere this, in
the insane asylum. Henceforth, 50 far
as her reason extends, she Is dead"
"But her insanity does not legally alb
solve Alonzo from his obligations to
her"
"But, my dear, she IS not his wife"
"Then why DO you come to me with
these attacks upon his character >"
"To give him and you a chance 10
make reparation."
"And what is it all to me, pray ,"
"Much, every way. II you really love
Alonzo, you will forgive him and make
what amends you can to that wronged
and ruined girl, aud to his child. II
you do not love him well enough to do
this, it is far better for your happiness,
and will be in the end for bis, that you
be now separated, ere be shall have op-
portunity to entangle you in pecuniary
difficulties from which he might never
be able to extricate you. You would be
sure to know of this trouble, sometime.
And the quicker you learn Of it the bet
ter, for many wise and weighty rea-
sons"
Grace arose and paced the room In a
fit Of deep abstraction. For a long time
she seemed Oblivious to every surround
ing circumstances. Mother and son
alike addressed her, but ELECTED no re-
sponse. She was fighting her own bat
tie, and was having it out with herself,
in the soberest earnest.
Meanwhile, Captain Emerson and his
wife were indulging in mingled exeera-
tions and lamentations I'm the kitchen.
The churn was idle, and the unused
mop-stick leaned in undisturbed seelu-
sion behind the woOd-house door, The
flies settled at will upon the unwashed
dishes, aud the chickens unwilliugly
divided their portion of bonnie clabber
in the trough in the back yard with
Towser, Sneezer aud Ragged Tail.
"AIrs. Snowden, senior, you're fieud
in human guise; a hell-houud in the
Earb Of a woman 90 exclaimed the duti-
iui son of an ailectionate mother, rs he
showed his white teeth aud smiled
~ardonically.
These words aroused Grace from her
reverie.
"Kueel and ask your mothers pardon
for your uufiial aud iuhuman words, or
I will never speak 20 you or look upon
your face again as long as live, Alonzo
Snowden," she exclaimed, her beautiful .
face flushing scarlet with her hot indig-
nation.
you'll never notice me again any
how" was the tremulous aud apologize
response.
81 say do ip'' was her emphatic re-
joiuder
Aud Alouzo oueyed as child might
when caught in any act Of petty piifer-
ing aud overpowered for the moment 10y
the superior moral force Of the person
who has caught him in the act.
"Aud now. sir, tell me truly why
did you 50 cruelty deceive me? Did
you not marry me to get possession of
my fathers acres 90
81 did. But il wasn't my fault. The
old man would have il So"
"rhe old man p"
"Yes.u
"WhO is he ?''
"My fatherT
"And is that the way you speak OF
him ?"
"Yes."
"Well, that lsu't to be wondered at,
if he's mean enough to send you out
matchmaking ia order to make
money"
"But love you, Grace"
"You have no right to love me, sir.
You are morally bound in another di-
rection."
"Yes, have a right; the legal right.
You are my wife"
Before God, am not, sir"
go, Grace, darling Grace. Have
pityr'
"Pity, indeed despise your
Mother. this is your workr' cried
Alonzo, again turning upon Mrs. Suow-
den, senior with look Of withering
scorn.
"No, Alouzo Snowden; il is not her
work, but yours. She did not know Of
your perfidious conduct before we were
married, else she would have taken
such measures as would have indeti-
nitely postponed the uuptials. Aud, as
soon as she does learn the particulars,
she comes like an honorable mother,
and lays the facts before me; facts Of
which, had You possessed an atom Of
honor you would not have wooed me
while ! was ignorant. Mother, l want
to return with you to the city,"
"Why, my child ?"
Il want to assist you I'm looking after
the welfare Of that poor girl aud her
ehiid. And want to serve an iniupc-
ton through my father, forbiddipg the
recording Of that deed in the manner -
which II was drawn up. My father and
mother aud myself must be protected a.
well as that poor, betrayed and ruined
girl"
Alonzo fell at Grace's feet and with an
eloquenee born Of apprehension aud hu-
initiation, aud q grief bordering on de-
spsir, implored her to have mercy upon
him. In bis grief and fear he told her
all; how be had been wild and thought
Z les but had never meant TO he wicked.