The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-03-06


piled the Captain. at SCENE that the
devil owes some men grudge that he
can only settle by paying them or in
sons-in-law"
"But Grace is alone at tavern. Her
letter says 50. wouldn't sleep wink
knowin' it unless you'd go to perfect
her."
"If women had little common sense,
they could take care of themselves" 8"
said the Captain, dryly; but he began to
hunt his Sunday boots, and Mrs. Emer-
son knew that he would answer the
summons Of his daughter in person in
spite Of his adverse grumbling.
Il was dark when the Captain set out
for the city on horseback, and darker
yet when he met the diligence. so he
did not see the senior and junior Snow
dens on their way TO his house, else he
would without doubt have broken the
well-knOwn commandment against
blasphemy more times in the next ten
minutes than he would nave asked for
giveness for IN a lifetime.
Trouble never begins with young
ones till they get marriage in their
heads" he exclaimed hundred times
during that lonely ride. "Children are
just like pigs. Let one get Of 'em burn
his nose in feeding trough, and a dozen
more ~ be after trying the experiment
because Of the very squeal he makes"
Thus ruminating while hurrying
along the highway, the Captain made
better time than he had reckoned, and he
was surprised when he reached the ferry
to fiud that he had already ridden half
the distance without thinking Of the
wesriuess Of which he had complained
at home, and over which his good wife
had been secretly lameuting from the
very moment Of his departure.
The moon had by this time risen well
in the heavens, and was flooding, with
a silver radiance, the cottage on the hill
where John and Lille were sleeping in
innocent Inconsistencies Of the Cap
tain's approach.
"At all events, Lii hasn't made fool
Of herself in choosing a husband" he
exclaimed, aloud. Johns a deuced
clever fellow if he isn't solomon; aud
the old folks ~ make 'em comfortable,
reckon; but I'd deal ruther they'd 90
to maxim livin' for themselves"
"Helloa Helloa the house!' he cried,
in deep, ack-woodsmau's voice, which
wakeued the sleek house-cat and we'll
kept dog from their slumbers in the
vine-clad porch, and reused the happy
chickens 10 a Growing mood ia the COM
Portable copse hard by.
John Anders came to the door in his
shirt sleeves and rubbing his eyes sleep
, lily. He was accustomed to these noe
] turnal Interruptions. aud often ferried
travellers across the water without re-
menibering anything about il on the
following day. But his surprise at
meeting Captain Emerson awakened
him thoroughly. He listened to the
Captains story with more interest than
he would have confessed
al hope Grace won't come TO any
harm, father" ha said in husky voice.
"But I must own that the chances are
against her. Poor girl. She deserved
a better fate"
81 know, but it can't be helped. She
was bewitched with the young scamp,
and now she must accept the conse.
quences."
"The Old $ amp and the young one
have together departed for parts un.
known, take it, said John. "I ferried
'em over in the stage about two hour.
ago"
"The deuce you did"
o "Yes. They appeared anxious &,
, avoid conversation. Possibly they'r,
fleeing from Justice"
"Poor Grace" said Captain Emerson
"POor Grace" echoed John Anders
poor Grace, poor Grace" aud tn,
words repeated themselves in his hear
long after Grace's father had disappeare,
a in the shadows, as he leaned over th,
railing Of the little boat and watche,
u the fishes at their gambols in the lin
pid water.
e Grace did not expect her father to ODE,
= her summons before morning, and tn
Landlord advised the eager Captain no
a to disturb her from her slumbers. Bu
/ he did not know, nor did the Captain
dream that the excited girl did not clos
= her eyes but once in sleep during tn
entire night, and then the voice Of Johl
Anders sounded in her soul, aud his sa
e eyes thrilled her with a nameless feaT
Who can fsthom the mysteries Of sleep
TO be continued