The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-03-04
CHAPTER XVI
orr FoK TuE sErr1NG sun.


Good reader, let US pass over the
heart rending scene 10 the Ingletor
home that awaited the revelation Of the
new son-in-law's latest decision. There
are scenes Of sorrow that defy descrip-
tion, because the deep sufferings that
give them visible expression surge be-
meath the surface, and rage and gorge
aud surfeit upon the innermost agonies
of the human heart.
Mrs. Tngleton was not wholly unpre-
pared for the blow that was to Danish
her daughter from her presence. There
is q subtle sense, peculiar to woman,
that uncousciously prepares her before
hand for the worst calamities aud, but
for this, many q one would never be
able to rebound in spirit from the effect
OF her deep disappointments.
Squire Iugleton had fully set his
mind at rest upon the subject OF his
contemplated removal, and would not
r-rmit himself to doubt that be was 10
20 10 Oregon with his daughter Once
there, entirely away from the scene OF
his former struggles and humiliations,
hoped to begin life anew, and recover
somewhat Of his old-time vim. This
hope had asserted itself with despera-
iion that would brook no denial; and
when, at last, the fatal adverse decision
came, aud the idolized daughter Of his
heart was bound for life to an adverse
Interest by a tie, the legal force Of which
be had never before comprehended, aud
was no longer his Own IN any sense save
that OF a lhwarted but keen affection,
aud be realized, at the latest moment.
that this last prop, upon which be had
hoped to lean bis declining days, was a
broken reed, a broken faith, and
broken moral law, for which no human
restraint had been legally provided, the
poor mans agony was pitiful. Mrs
IngIeton bravely choked back her own
suffering, aud half forgot its keenest
poiguaucy in her endeavor to solace aud
sustain him.
The covered wagon and its patient
team Of oxen waited long at the humble
door. Tirzah moved aimlessly about
the lowly room, her eyes as stony as her
heart was heavy. Old friends aud &C
quaintsnces dropped in by twos aud
threes aud half-doeens, aud fingered
about the yard in the chill March
weather, waiting to give the young
couple their parting blessing. No one
Of all that company save Lie Hardine
was cognizant Of the cruel disappoint-
meut which gnawed at the heart of the
bride, as she felt herself compelled TO
abide by her husbands fiat, and accept
and justify it by her acis and words,
even while in her inner soul she re-
PEELED the continuance Of the contract
that her husband had the power to en-
force, even after he had repudiated its
primal and chief conditions.
"You are young to be learning such a
lesson" said Lie, who remained at her
side and counseled with her constantly.
Nobody ought ever to be able to make
a bargain which is binding upon one
and not upon the other"
Tirzah turned upon her with pecu-
liar stare, as though her wits were in
danger Of going daft.
''This world is a hell to married wom-
en-, aud hate it!" she exclaimed, hotlv.
"Sh-h-h-hFn answered Lie. "The
world is well enough, aud the people in
il will learn the abstract principle of
right some day. Pll do what 1 can for
your father aud mother. Do you not
trust me?"
"Yes-till you're married. After that
you'll be like the rest OF EN-"
Don't say that, Tirzah, please. lam
MS thoroughly outraged by the action Of
my brother as yourself But I cannot
help it any more than you"
"Why hasn't somebody long ago so
fixed things that such outrages could
not be ?n said Tirzah, wonderingly
at seems to me that any violation Of
the marriage contract, in any Of its con-
ditio9s, should be considered in law as
the meanest crime in the category"
$50 il ought TO be, Tirzab but man
makes law and construes gospel, each to
suit himself Woman is not mans
equal under the law. There is some
thing wrong in this, but can't see that
it will ever be righ;ed until women are
consulted about making the laws that
govern them"
"Will that time ever come, 'Lize?n
''I should hope so, sister mine. But
now, let US 60 to your parents. Poor
things Let them have the little Of
your society that yet remains for them. !"
In the lowly cabin sat the prematurely
aged pair, the good wife striving with
all her womsnly might to cheer her
despondent lord, while groups OF neigh
bors were passiag in and out, tracking
the soft Spring mud upon the uneven
floor.
"Come, wife Ready :" shouted the
Junior Hardine, as he stood with whip
in hand beside the waiting oxen.
No response.
Tirzah had knelt beside her parents to