The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-07-29
CHAPTER XXXVIL


charger that john Ingieton had ridden
on the memorable Independence Day
when she had felt the frUition OF earthly
bliss as his afIianced wife, that she loved
TO fancy il was one and the same.
"Poor John 90 she said, aloud, as she
stroked the animals name with her
riding whip. ave always been sure
my father drowned bis horse Reuben,
and if he comes to Oregon again tn
give him this one. Ny conscience will
rest easy theu on that score"
"But the horse isn't yours to give /!
He belongs to your husband, under the
law % exclaimed the voice that seemed
20 come from nowhere, and yet was
strangely -udible; the voice that she
had several times before been startled
out Of her deepest medilations 10y hear
ing suddenly.
"True-too true; had forgotten" {"
she answered, as though addressing a
human being But why are these
things so ?'
because man is ignorant, and there
fore a sinner" was the prompt response.
She checked the horse and gazed
about her, but, save her brute compau-
ion, she WAS alone. The bending sky,
with its serene azure zenith, end a NUT
tering volley Of clouds in its western
horizon, mutely kissed the mountains
ia the distance, and the grassy turf
a ~
horses unshod feet.
care We always to be thus ignorant
aud sinful ?" she asked, aloud.
"Now was the quick reply aud 50
emphatic and startling was it that it
made her half afraid.
"The very universe is alive with
thought" she said, reverenlly, land /
believe We never are alone. Bat Why
have been led through all these years
through such ihorny paths I wonder >"
Because you are child of destiny,
child Of genius. There is yet work Tor
you O., Ia work for which il was nec,s g.
sary 10 you by taking you through
the eruo le Of a sad experience. Moth
ing Is made in vaiu-not even sin or
sorrow, which are but stepping stones TO
higher Hfe. Many fail to profit by a
life Of appointment. You have not
failed-ynu will not fail. Press on (!
You have an important lesson yet to
learn, a lesson which you must impart
to the world The end Is not yet.
Light shall be given a. you shall need
it. BE Of good cheer"
She was 50 interested in this CON-
munion with the voice that she was not
aware that a storm was brewing till the
great rain drops fell upon her hands and
face, aud q few sharp gusts Of wind
proclaimed a coming tempest. She pul
whip to her horse and galloped forward
through the suddenly falling darkness,
with the faint refrain Of Thanksgiving
over the hopeful words, "Be Of good
cheer" to keep her company. It was
night when she reached the hotel at the
county town, aud she was thoroughly
arenched by the rain.
Take good care Of Reuben and never
mind me-" she said to the landlord, who
met her at the door.
"Bad time to be out, ma'am but I N
sure I don't know how you got the news
so quick" said the host indicating the
way to the parlor, aud starting away at
once with the horse.
"He means the news about the will, "
she said to herself, as she ascended the
stairs.
A group Of gentlemen were gathered
about the stove in the ladies' parlor, the
most Of whom she knew by sight,
though they did not recognize her.
"a bad night for anybody % be out,
ma'am," said a kindly voice, as the
speaker rose from his chair and Offered
it gallantly.
Her strength forsoOk her, and sh,
dropped into the seat, stupefied ant
speechless. Her black cotton clothes
were sodden with the rain aud bespat
tered with the slop Of the street. He
sunbonnet, also of black, which had de-
pended on a liberal supply Of starch fo
stiffening, had fallen in linn disorde
about her head, nearly conceaIing he
features.
ado you think you'd have decided ex
actly as you did, Judge, IL the viii
maker had not been a woman ?" aske
one Of the lawyers, as be looked admit
ingly at the gallant gentleman wi
stood deferentially-from fnrce OF earl
good breeding-in the presence Of the ui
known woman who occupied his chai
"Oh, MOI II man makes a will, .
generally knows what he's doing; b.
there would be nothing fair about 70
hing the thrifty son of family, III
John Hardine, aud giving away Il
property to 8 worthless son-in-l law Ill
Peter Tubbs."
"The property was not given h Tuht
but to his wife," said another.
$50 much the worse" answered q
Judge, blandly. "It Isn't best to 81
vonen 90 much power"