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About The new Northwest. (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887 | View Entire Issue (May 5, 1881)
i I 1 THE XEWXOKTHWESTr THUKSDAr, 31 AY 5, X88L .: REAPING THE WHIRLWIND."'- ' 'i.V- A.Notkl. ..''''.'. ". J Br MART feLOIME COMIW. IAin!letkHr CnprrlfW forwarded to Ukfto of Cgreas at Washington, D. C. CIIA.FTEB VII. . At Bell stood Id the doorway, her face wu parr ally bid In the shadow, but the light felljitrong ---and full onJack m be looked toward tnem. trt. J Claire aw the dark color auddenly rush to his , face, a lurid red light Jeajjintft bU eye ; but In an Jnstant It dledjout, and a look of cold disdain kardened hie feature. , ( :'J ; . There I nothing so pitiless a a man who tblnka hlmeelf wronged. And Jack De Guerry knew that Bell waa wronging him a no woman should , dare to wrong any man who loveaher. Hwa -loelnriot"DOiy the hope ? tiT lffe and theVom- f an of hla love, but hia high estimate of woman- i kind, hla old reverential trust and Jwllef In Jtejr. perfect truth and purity of heart"""- " - 1 Bell waa a born coquette. She bad been In so- eieix foe years, bad been praised and flattered un til the tul ration of men seemed a necessity to HaX.ll&CTane&s. And when Jasper Raymond ap peam&m the scene, courtly and elegant, the most -MallgJV man of the season, she found a new pjeaaore In eclipsing the girl who were' angling for Ms ; attentions, and triumphantly bearing off" the prize. She had not thought of mar- 7 tiage in eonriectlon with the "matter 'any more than she bad In a dozen similar cases. Recently she had discovered that ber mother dealmLher to aaarry this man, and she awoke to the knowledge that, after all, she had a heart, and u ItJasper IlTHlRaymond bad no place. -But "love jn a cottage" bad ik charm for her, and Jack wa poor. Ray- aood's millions were a temptation to ber, and ber mother waa Mthe power behind the throne." . Tea, she would marry Raymond. And In position and power aha would sink her love And then, J terhaps, she would forget Jack, when the did hot awe him so often. Other men who had slipped out as ber life had slipped out of ber memory ; why wouldn't he ? Of course he would. Women always finish an argument with "of eourse." " ' -.'. Sr. De Guerry gave them a Smiling welcome an they advancedVS- Claire looked cold and atern and Jack bowed elaborately, with an Icy amileonhlsllpa. ( ' "Isabel I, my dear, yon have stayed away too ftmg to be pottte to our other guests. "Blame me, madam. It waa my fault, and one which I think the gentlemen will be able to ex- Rarraond spoke with a bright smile toward BeUJackanaweredjyl surprise was quite natural. But I am not ac quainted with Mrs. Wycllfre." ; Raymond spoke as though that ended the aub- Ject, and Bell said nothing more. Mrs. De Guerry sat during .ihls conversation utterly transfixed with horror. This was con tretemnt of which she had never dreamed. But to Jack it afforded absolute satisfaction." ;"" Raymond selected the music and Bell sung till Jack could endure the sight no' longer; so he sauntered carelessly over to the piano, leaned on It, and said to Bell t "; . "You do not honor roe byjequesting me to se lect something for you to sLngTV - The girl replied. without taking her eyes off Of her rapidly gliding fingers. '"' . - "J did not suppose that you were sufficiently Interested to care." ' "Care to hear you sing?- I don't. But then, if you Intend to keep it up, I have some choice.". As he spoke, he commenced shifting thematic, TuFJf lu'ejirch pf some particular piece.' Ray mond left them and crossed the room to Mrs. De Guerry and 8t, Claire. BeH Jookeda After, him. Bhe would have prefermf having him remain to being left alone with Jack. - Jack saw her uneasiness, and resented It. lie found the "piece of niuslo and placed It on the rack.".,'' ' Bell looked at It thoughtfully, but her unruffled face waa no index of the tumult within. Men are so Utterly blind. They expect to read a woman's thoughts In her face or in her acts. Jack thought Bell perfectly Indifferent as she sung the words through without a tremor In her voice or the quiver of an eyelid. The music was soft and sweet, giving anew meaning to the words': "'Drifting away from each other,,'. . ' . . . . 81lentlr drifting apart; -- Nothing between bat the worM1 eotd -scorn, . Nothing to lose bm a heart. . Prlftlnj.awny fmm f Jeh ofh?r- - rhangr; jllss De Guerry must hate been Id if more amiable mood than she was this morning when I called. But then she had ber front hair In rpera, ' and I suppose .ft pulled and made her eross." " ---r, - . "Well, ye," Bell admitted, "It Is a rather dlsa- riinnfiln auatlaiailtnn " " . ' i-,,., ., ..' " ICVBUJWSVUOSIUVU. Mrs. De Guerry hastened to Interpose. -v f . These gentlemen arrtved In advance of any of JH-."U h ladle,1 And 1 assu re you they find me dull i aomnany, Both gentlemen hastened to disclaim this fact, 'and Kt. Claire added t . -r-. came early to-hear Mias De Guerry. alngJt will not be possible for me to remain all evening.'.' "I regret exceedingly your inability to be pres ent all evening. I do not know that Mr. Ray mond would care to hear my daughter sing, when be has heard the best voices In the world." I kut Raymond assured her that he could think of nothing that would afford htm such Infinite pleasure; and insisted on conducting Bell to the fiano. Bell run her fingers listlessly over the keys, and hiqufred, formally : ' "Well, what shall I sing?" "Whatever you had Intended singing for Mr. St Claire. I don't think that Mr. De Guerry and myself arc particular." - - , Raymond glanced at Jack, expecting him-to affirm his words. But Jack never noticed him In any manner. Dell answereu quicfciy: 0iT never nilmM rak -. Voir need nT fat rain after the truth In that sty K. I will find out wltl out . any. of your assistance." '''' Jack offered a mental prayer for her sucoess In her attempt to discover the secret, that his prom; ie to her mother for taJe him io disclose. . Bell knew, fnun former experience, thst even if her mother knew It would bef worse than useless to ask her. - Hhe was determined now to know at all hazards. Perhaps St. Claire would telWier. She would try. 'At the worst she could only fall. 7HJack, will your say to Mr. 8t. aalre that I wlh trvded tsyracllce a chant to add to my charac- ler for the Wycllffe masqueraile to-morrow night. Ur. Bt. Claire is .the only one who kuows what eharacter I intend to assume, and I do not think uo will tell." "Your confidence Is certainly not misplaced. I shall not bvtray your secret" ."Mr. Raymond, I have heard you aay that you eouM penetrate any disguise. I defy you to dis tinguish me from the others to-morrow night." "X "hall not attend the masquerade.?' "NC.ltend I .Why rj . "uFanmi Uivitedf ' "Not Invited-? Jack spoke up, drawling his words exasperat- iiigiyx ?&y cousin. I would respectfully suggest tnat jb apcar to-morrow nlghFis TTEcIio,t a charac ter -which you acem alngularly qualified to per- sonify. Bell waa embarrassed, and, appealing to Ray- l fevg yob r pardon Jf I seemed I mpertl nent ; tut I was surprised." There's nothing here that .la worth a tear;' -Una lore lew nothing strange." - Jack repeated ono Hue over after her musiugly. "Tides ebb, and women change.' That Is m mistake. Women do not change. They are the same cold-blooded, heartless beings all through life. There Is no change whatever." "Jack, 'why don't Mr. Raymond go to the ball V She snubbed hi comment on the song. Jack longed to shake her till she cried for mercy ; but Instead be answered, provoklngly t --J "Because he Is not Invited." "Yes ; but why IsnZt he Invited V "He gave a reason." - 'jf; , "A reason, ye; but not the reaaon.". "Shall I go to him and demand a truthful an swer f ;. - "' : z :ir;-'V'"f "Jack, do you know why he Is not Invited TV JL'Becau9e he In not acquainted with " - - to spcaV to him V "XowT". "Yes; now." "Mr. Ray mond, you mean"? "I said Mr. St. Claire.'' - : ., Jack walked sulktly away, and In a moment St. Claire waa by her sidej wondering somewhat at the summons. ' '. "" 'l : Xw wished tCL.speakwlthme,iIis-De Guerryrj; Bell replied directly, striking at the root of the matter. , "Yes, Mr. St. Claire. I wished you to tell uie why Mr. Raymond Is not Invited to WyclIflVa." St., Claire he'tated. He was almost persuaded to tell her the truth and brave ber mother's anger. And yet something whispered Co htu that the time had not come. He must wait. . "You hesiUte, Mr. St. Claire Tell me the ex act truth, or do not answer me at all." - "The exact truth is not always to bo told, Miss "That would hardly be enterUIntag M swer to your question." "My mother can answer It, then?" "Your mother can answer It." Tliey were Interrupted now by the entrance of other guests, aud In a short time St. Claire aud Jack De Guerry excused themselves and retlrel. Wheu they had gained the street, St. Claire told Jack of. the conversation, and asked him why he did not tell Bell the truth. And, after waiting a moment, Jack concluded to tell SU Claire the story, thlnklug that perhaps he might powtess 4 some knowledge whtchwontd be ofralOelu whaT seemed to be a fruitless search. , ' Unconscious that it was the second story to which St. Claire had llsteiieil. Jack commenced at the first, as far back as he could remember the time of his father's death, and of his uncle's kind nestiri4ktngrhlnThomend treatlng-blm-like own son; then or now ne grew up, loving an Bell far better thanacouslnof MrrD Guerrys worldllness, and .her determination that Bell should marry Raymond; and, lastly, of her prom ise that If heould produce proof of the disgrace-. iuLatory of Raymond' ast life that Bell should never: mentl9n tle report to Bell until he could demonstrate It truth pthe possibility of doubt. "And to, you see, the game it up. You know the story Is true, St. Claire, a well as I do; but the man might be a aalnt, for all I can prove to the contrary." . T " "And Mis De Guerry?" " "na never heard It, or she would not receive him In her home." ' . " ; . "Perhaps she would. Women are very charlta ble sometimes. Raymond's sin might look very different to her from the woman's." T "It'Ts bccause you are so' slightly acquainted with Bell that you can say that.-- You do her In lust ice. You may depend that she would hate Raymond, nd treat him thesamtf'a she would the woman If she should chance to meet her." "If there were more women like Miss De Guerry, there would be fewer me"n like Raymond." "Yes, I suppose so," assented Jack, rather doubt- xuIIyi'lUitr you know one woman cannot anora to render herself conspicuous by refusing to countenance a man who hajthe,ocIal position that Raymond g.HiaM6aiw "But that Is exactly whaCT am talking about What right has Raymond to any social -position which a lady will be obliged to recognize ?'V "That Is true enough; but It Is Impossible to make such distinctions. -Men give him the posi tion. You see, the majority of them are 'in the same boat and peoplewhQ live In glass houses have been repeatedly, warned of the danger re sulting from throwing stones." ,'- '' "Yet, if women were united In their efforts, they could banish, to a great extent, this mon strous evIL" ' ' "If they were united, perhaps they might ; but, as It is, no, woman dares to take the lead in this moyementX Shewould only aucceeJ.ln niaklng herself rldlcujous. The business men, the solid men of our country, the ones who wink at this sin, are the only xnes who can effectually crush It. Let the: time ever, come when some man's life is so pure tnat ne can say wunoui tear, i wiu noi employ yout I will not admit you in my, business, I will not -receive youNIn my home, because you b . m am . are not an honorable man anu tne lime, mar. hears those words, will see a reform." "God hasten the day !". . , The two men walked on In silence for a few mo ments; then Jack spoke again., "If this story about Rarmond Is'true, and I guessjhat no one ever doubted it, the woman was certainly the most to blamet A wife, honored and trusted what could have Induced her to take that fatal step r?- ----- ,"She was Jealous of her husband." . "Did she supiose that it would mend affairs for her to leave him?" .". "A Jealous person does not stop to reason. Her object, of cpursc wa simply to go where he could not find her." : - ' , '., ;'"' - ".he met witli inot' flattering success. If I ; coulil only know that she w;i4 alive, I would search the world over tilt -1 found her There must be some way to uilra vel this mystery, If I only knew where to begin. I can only think of two-ways. One Is to go to Kilgland and -try to find some trace of the woman. The other is to.go to Raymond and ask him." ' 1 , l They both laughed m disgust at the mention of the latter proposition, and St. Claire added, gravely j - t- : . ;. i , "" ' ' ' Tlie other way Is almost as hopeless." "Yes, It Is utterly hopeless. I wish that I had never made that rash promise .to Mrs. De Guerry. trtrafrtDfriBeli when I llTsriieaTJfTtJ That would probably have been better. What length of time are you to have to get the proofs ?" "1 here was uoiniug saii aooui mau l suppose till Bell Is married. I could have no Interest In the matter after that. . "De Guerry, ! know of but one way in which I could help you. That Is to tell the story to your cousin myfcelf,".. , - . But Jack shook his head disconsolately. "Xo, thank you, 8L Claire. Tliat would be breaking ray promise, If uot In letter, at least In spirit. It would be the same to have a friend tell Bell as to do it myself" "You are right, De Guerry ; and," while I regret the necessity, I honor the motive which prompts your actions." As he finished speaking, they reached the steps feadlngnfohe cIubHrmmi, and, as Jack was go ing In, they halted a moment. "Are you coming In any time to-night?" Trobably not. If I do, it will be later-Before I leave you, I wish to say that If ever, In any way, I can assist ydu In thts matter, you have only to command me." - . St. Claire spoke heartily, and extended his hand. which De Guerry accepted In the same spirit In which It was offered, promising that If the time ever came InVbich he needed a friend he would Jet him know. ' '''-'' With thi pledge of mutual esteem, the two men parted, SL Claire walking rapidly down the street, and Jack going Into the elegant, brilliantly lighted roomr the especial property of the mascu line gen Jer of the "upper ten." .. 'Occupying the .most comfortable chair In the roomriaUy prgjondlug to read, was ancgotisti' cal?jverbiiug-ywing-KnlTT)nian, known by the name of George Ingoldsby, who insisted on being called "Sir George," although he 'never as signed any very, definite reason why he should claim that title. He looked up aa Jack came In) yawned extensively, and liiqulrc!, jrlllihit: pat- "I aay, De Guerry, 'ate you seen anything of Raymond to-day ?" i i ' - Yea, I saw him a short time ajo." " : ? "Where V ' : .- -' .i ' :r: ' , "At the house of a friend," . . ', "Ah I C think I oould gueas whose 'ouse. Won der If I ahall be Invited to the wedding?" "Whatweddln?" ... "By George! that's too bad, you know." ' ' IngoUlsby always swore by hfmseif, probably becausehe considered himself the most Important person of his acquaintance ? 1 1 j .You'would not Introduce me to your stately cousin, because yoti knew she would fall ln-iove with me and "my title at once. But it seems, in sDite of that, that you are srolnur to lose her. 7 A soft, low melody, a bar from the last operar floated on the air. It was Jack whistling. . "I Raymond coming here to-nhrht?" "I don't know; didn't ask him." i icuer wm Km. iiere lor mm mis morning, and, ; as he was not In, it was left in my care. I tM I J 11 , i. . ..ni - . . .. i even ii uc uvu v wiuc in, juu win in; more llKeiy to see htm than I wt)L" . ' And before Jack could remonstrate, Ingoldsby laid the letter on a table before him and left .the Jack picked It up and unconsciously glanced if the superscription It wasdirectiwl In a delicate, the writing of his cousin Bell. He dropped It aa if It had burned him. The blood rushed In tor rent to hi face, then, surged back to his heart with' such force that It. left him faint, while hi 'Up tightened and his brow darkened. He would have been surprised at the contents of the note. It was only a formal invitation to spend the even-. I nsr w 1 1 h fe w f riends at her home. - Rarmond had missed the invitation, but had chanced to go there. .... . : Jack rung the bell for a messenger, and, when he appeared; gave hira the letter, with Instruc tions to take it to Mrs.De(Juerrv's. J Hesunrrapd Raymond was still there ; but, if he was not, Belt would get it, so that he would pot have the care of it. -Tills done, Jack" took up a paper, and thought he was reading; but the words before him made Wr I tm r,tt ft ti' An Kla I rl 1 fa amI a m m a l manr name, written in a" flowing, wavy hand, passing back and forth oyer the page. A hand was laid on his shoulder. He looked up, to see St, Claire and Wycllffe standing beside him. "Why, St. Claire, I did not expect to see you so morula i expect to ue uere so soon ; nut the uju x iiuiuiavu v uim iucu w put tii nu jfar- ance, and I run across Wycllffe wiio brought m here." -i" ' '- " -.-.r i n mni mn rn nn imii. iiui i ia mnv.ni. t Ion, became general. - Ariength Wycllffe tunied a TaaIt aavlni ti1 l Inplstnv1e J" - - tw vnLn 7asasy asoasa mubiiiiiij . . - 'I have the oddest fane v. It seems to me that Meg, the little girl who has charge of our baby, bears a very strong resemblance to your lady- cousin, Miss De Guerry. Have you ever seen her Meg, I mean," - r . . "i never nave." - . "Probably'you would not notice it, I know the features are. not the-same, the expression Is not the same, yet there is an Indefinable something which makes them alike. It must be attributa ble to the same cause which always makes me feel In St. Claire presence that-1 have been acquainted with him before." ,r . : "Am - i .touav-mat-vounave raitn in metempsychosis?- .. . r-t "That sounds like It. I wonder what I was In some previous state of existence." - " Jack assured him that he was too polite to ex- j t f ' i i tt t i : press uis opinion, anu pu jiaire cnangeu ine sub ject by Inquiring about Mena. A strange attach ment had grown, up between these two; for, although St. Claire rarely went to the bouse to see her, he met her very frequently with her father. Whpn WvrllfTi first txaniA ainnualntMt with fit. Claire, he not only Invited but urged him to visit at his home. But upon one pretext or another,. St Claire almost Invariably declined, until Anally Wycllffe becanie convinced that he objected to a,t f m . lit a r' a a a . ' mmii in tw ilia wira. nn airnnnirn aaaarawv . "f3 v a f wa aaue mmm waawM ae uv iwmm IIV sv 1 tlons, he ceased his Importunities. . To be eontlnuedj niiirutnii nuuini iuve iar uiurv ucauiv. Mm Scott-Siddons thinks, than those of England. "Boston and Philadelphia." she sats.; "are the K laces where I have seen the greatest amount of eauty In a short-time especially -very young women, it is rare that you see a beautiful face in r.ngland. and I think that Is whv thev make such a fuss over those that they have now-hold of. L prefer the Canadian very much to English women, because they have much greater ease of manner, for one thing. There is an absencerof that stiff ness which spoils young English' women In soci ety.. Australian ladies are more like English women than Canadians: thet are irenerallv much imIa. b 1 ,w . I .... .. . . ..ii rr 1 . . . wa freer than English women, and not so free a Americans a happy metllura." '. , , . A London paper says : I'The latest fashionable idiocy In England Is what Is known a the 'baby stare.' It Is affected by young ladles, and consists ... v.r. . 1 ' V. N IIFIf LllU raistmrihe brows, and sllzhtl w turnln the cor ner or t ne nioutn upward. The necessary posi tion of the mouth is obtaiued bv manv repetitions of the word, .'mouse.' " Til wlttlpst remark u-a Umvm uun Ufplr ." saj's the Tumers Falls lieinnier, "was that many people regard religion as they regaid sroall-pox , they desire to have It as light as DoeslbJe. andATtL Vou were noUmperil oeuLin-lheJeait. Ynm :xy bun, ou ooudltlon-that h shouU -ronisingalr:1' -- ' . . i'