Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-12-22

Il parsonage of wealth and some dls-
tinction; and altogether he was precise
ly the sort of gay, plausible, pretentious
individual whom an impulsive and sus-
ceptble girl might exalt INTO prince OF
J perfection.
But if Eve was faultily impulsive, she
was tempered by an inuate adherence OF
all that is insincere and ignoble. She
was vexed with her promised husband ;
she was momentarily dissatisfied with
him, perhaps; she had meant possibly
to tease and arouse him. But then her
pretty little assumptions OF tyranny and
criticism had always seemed to amuse
him; and he had never before mani
tested the slightest irritation at her most
capacious and tantalizing moods.
She had, doubtless, allowed the fiat
tering attentions of Mr.. Chadock with
some coquettish qualification; but she
could scarcely be blamed if she pre-
ferred the Weather and more fortunate
man, whose devotien was so unmistak'
able and persistent. And then Reuben
had never seemed to care he had never
interposed the smallest jealous remon-
STRANGE; to accuse him OF jealousy was
insolent, cruel and ridiculous.
She was too willful and too provoked
lust then to vouchsafe any amends for
her ofense; that grieved him more than
she could know. But after he had left
her, coldy, with averted face and angry
eyes, she began to feel somewhat penl-
tent and wholly uncomfortable.
For long time she sat by the win
dow meditating, absently watching the
big snowflakes whrling down through
the icy air.
Presently curious figure appeared
through the thick white storm, bobbing
through the deep soft drifts, and halted
at length on the lowest step before her
door The figure was that OF an ex-
tremely aged man, whose long locks,
white us snow around him, clung damp
" about his pallid and withered cheeks.
He looked as sorrowful, as honestly de-
serving in his evident misery, as could
have looked the beggar, who had ex-
cited Reuben's generous pity and Ewes
careless scorn.
While the man crouched there, shiv-
ering, Mr.. Chadock, wearing stylish
ulster, and swinging costly cane jaun-
tily with his fastidiously gloved fingers,
came briskly toward the house.
Those expressive black eyes were very
unbeautiful, the expression of his aris-
tocratic countenance was very hateful,
as, with coarse and untimely exclama-
ton, he lifted his elegant cane for an
untmely blow upon the white head OF
the old man, whose startled protest
sounded strangely distinct through the
peculiarly resonant wi ater air.
al bes here for Wister Wright, when
he'll be comm" Eve, watching at the
window, heard him say. ale bes a
rale gintleman-God love him las lint
me the dollar in the storm this day
week. Yess may save yer fine cane.
Mister Chadock, or another fine thafe
like yerself, for thaving it is, and no less,
OWN money as we does to your beth
ers. Faith, | know we well. Yees had
betther pay back the thray hundred dol
lars yees borrowed of Misther Wright
when he had the plenty than be batting
an honest man wild your unholy sthick.
1t is yerself as would have the swate
tllrouble if tells Misther Wright how
yees put mp the mind of dhirty lawyer
to chate him of his own legacy. If il
bes the gurril yees would decaive away
from him by yer thricks to kape him
down wild the poor, then yees had bether
be goin' back to the ould country to
the ill-treated colleen who ought to be
your thrue wife,"
The girls cheeks burned scarlet rs
she listened. In an instant she had sprung
from her seat and flung open the door,
and stood gazing with scathing contempt
down npon Willis Chadock, who was
pcrceptibly uneasy, although there was
brazen assurance and an odious sneer
4 still upon his countenance.
"Miss Eve, my dear girl" he began
]. mellifuously; but she interrupted him
by an imperious gesture.
al believe all this poor man has as
serted" she said firmly and haughtily.
And as he bowed submissively and
turned away he understood that thence
forth he must be a stranger to her and
hers.
At the sound Of her voice the old man
tottered to his feet. and extended to-
ward her large and rather grimy en-
velope.
at bes for Misther Wright-the gintle-
man as lent me dollar" he exclaimed
as he turned and hobbled away.
And while she marveled at the oddity
of it all, Reuben himself came slowly
through the drifts and assembled the
steps.
II have come back to make peace
with you, Eve," he said simply; al
mean if you still have any affection for
one so unlucky as l am"
81 am sorry l grieved you, dear"
she answered with charming frankness.
But goodness - what does it all mean?''
she cried as she glanced over the paper
he had just unfolded.
| at means, my darling," he said in
wonder, "that my beggar is not beg
gar ut all. He is one of the most
eccentric men in the city, miser by
reputation, and very wealthy. This is
his check-a loan until l shal. have
prospered sufficiently for convenient
payment-for an amount quite enough
for me to re-establish my business and
to claim my bride whenever she may be
pleased to come to me-"
A New York musical writer claims Il
have discovered that neither ''The Star
Spangled Banner" nor "Hail Columbia