The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-10-28

lived when he lived, and had been his sister,
.Or perhaps his sweetheart" continued Cousin
William.
"Did he have sweetheart ?' eagerly inquired
my little son. "Did he not love any of the pretty
ladies ?"
'He was married ," I said, anticipating Cousin
Williams reply.
"He was, said Cousin William; ''but unfortu-
nately marrying and loving do not always 90
hand-in-hand, and his was one instance in which,
l think, they walked very far asunder."
"And yet" | said, ''from all you tell me- I
imagine he might have chosen and been salts
fed"
"His success with women" replied Cousin VIII
liam, 'was without parallel. His lightest atten-
tiOn seemed to have more weight than the ear
nest devotion of other men. / might even say he
was sought of women. Wealth, family, position,
personal fascination, all tended to make him the
marked ideal of all wOmanlIind; but | fear that
his choice fell in what he considered an unpropi-
tIous spot, and in this fact lay the secret of his
strangeness. 1t was during the Summer preceding
his death that became acquainted with incidents
which opened many mysteries to me. He and
were ai1ecblonate companions, being the younger
OF the two and as / have said. during the Sum-
mer preceding his death he proposed that we
should prosecute together pleasure-tOur among
the Highlands; so we set off provided with hunt
ing and fishing implements and for many days
pursued our sports with much avidity-at least
did, but could afteTward, in thinking of this ex-
peditiOn, recall the restless desire which Sir
Hugh seemed to repress, while he exhibited an
UNCONSCIOUS anxiety about something not present.
I'VE had pursued our sports for the space of ten
days, when on the afternoon of the eleventh we
suddenly and without any warning arrived at a
cottage situated snugly in the cleft of the noun
tam, looking like the nest Of bird. / was star
tied by the cultivated beauty of its surroundings
Just in the midst of the mountain wilds remind
ing me of some rare flower borne by the winds
from foreign shore, with no kindred blossom TO
bear it companionship. The welcome accorded
Us by the heads of the family proved that Sir
Hugh was a valued if not a frequent guest
look of inquiry showed me that all the usual
family were not there but the rIstling of a dress
the sound of a light footstep and in the doorway
there stood young woman whose presence GER
tainly answered 10 Sir Hugh : unuttured question
Miss Esther Montrose, allow me 10 make you
qualnted with my cousin {; and felt a soft hand
for a moment within my own, a frank pressure.
a though the introducer We're a guarantee for
anyone, and in few minutes / was feeling my
self unaccountably at my ease among total stran-
gers. The father and mother, though their faces
reminded one of the old Covenanters were plain
and kindly in their manner; and the daughter
had that sweet gracousness, that dignity Of inno-
cence that no fashionable training can ever con-
fer, but which always accompanies "A tender heart
and refined imagination. The hours passed
unheard, and the days grew into weeks almost
unheeded by either of u. / think for the only
time in my life l Sir Hugh seem quietly
happy.
81 can not recall any of our conversations but
my memory of her is like the effect Of an Autumn
day. and her beauty seems 10 have been made of
the fettered rays Of sunshine. | watched Sir
Hugh closely, and he did not forget his usual eau
ton. His bearing toward her assumed a high
tone OF gallantry mingled with "A sternneSs
which / knew affected for, several times
when ne thought himself unobserved read i'm
his glance a passionate devotion which made me
know that here was the taisman which in society
shielded him from all the charms and wies spread
before him by courtly danes.
81 have said that hours became days, and davs
became weeks in this dream of happiness, when
Na-H F1.s.N
face homewam. Sir Hugh Immediately sane
toned the movement, and il was agreed that two
days more should conclude our visit. Esther was
not present when we spoke of our intention To
leave, nor do ! know how she became informed Of
it. / only remember that when il was alluded To
she seemed not at all surprised
'Ihe last evening of our stay was unusually
beautiful. The clear orange sunset was soon SUI
fused with the slvery beams of the full moon.
Tea was served in the arbor, where music, song,
and subdued tones Of conversation beguiled the
time until midnight. / know l reproached my
self at the time for intruding the parting hours
Of those whom ] felt were lovers. | think they
watched the night out together, and, without any
endeavor on my part heard so much of their
served for key To his past and
his future life.
care you in earnest about not returning here?'
/ heard her say.
4" 4 said would not return until brought my
BRIDE
Your bride she said. Is she already Sc
lected ?-and how long have you loved her?
q That is a question:, said he, affecting to
laugh, hard to answer. / have known her these
two years. As to loving, you are the only person
authorized to speak on that matter Surely you
know, or ought to know, that no living woman
except yourself has ever caused my heart throb
" You love me, and yet you leave me! Strange
contradiction she said. But il shows me that
what has been my entire life has been with you
only a passing episode
" IF your design is to he severe he said, you
certainly have driven home the weapon this time,
and given me an undeserved thrust. | am glad
to say you have done me the greatest injustice
.'I judge you only by your own actions she
said. surely no man should demur to such "a
tribunal
You forget he said, that | am not my own
master. Position has its demands
None she said, but such a strong man
could control without any detrment to his man
hood
You mistake he said. you do not know
no o,,Hi bpxr do