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About The new Northwest. (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887 | View Entire Issue (June 30, 1881)
JL . i. 1 1 -. Y V f THR NEW NORTHWEST, THUpSDAY, JUNE NE30, 1881. ,,J REAPING -THE,: WHIRLWIND. -. 1 '' f SMSS " " " '. A Br MAtlV ELpiHE COMBH. . 1 . .V (.Application for Copyright forwarded to th UbnurUa of ConrrMM at Wsnblnrtonl, IX CI " ' ' CHAPTER XV, '.I 'Helen- Langdon stood perfectly motionless, looking at St. Clair half defiantly, yet with a frightened fleam In her eyes.'; Her bravest efforts could pot prevent the blood f rorttforeaklng her face arid her pale lipa from quivering. 8he to tally disregarded the. name which he had pro nounced with such bitter emphasis, but said, sor rowfully : : '.,.. "I am unfortunate In resembling a woman that IJhlnk you mutt have hated. 4 fear that It will prejudice youagalnat me, so that T can never be able to claim you for a friend," . . "You can never claim me for a friend, Countess of 1Fevre. The woman gained courage born of desperation. Thus driven to the wall, she looked up boldly and corrected him. ,, 1 "Miss Langdon, If you please, sir f" "Miss Langdon In America; Countess of L'Fevre li.Jtaly1 going to attend the musicals the following 'They, are I consider r- fi- "It U not poasible, Mr. St Claire, that you think the two persona are identical V , "No, I do not think they are. I know It'! The woman quailed before- his stern, reproving gaze. She saw that-equivocation or falsehood would alike be useless; that to deceive him was impossible; and clasping her hands together and half extending them, she breathed one word, In a voice quverihg with anguish ""Plty.":---. "Why should I pity you V "Because I am a woman 'more sinned agal than sinning.' " ned against "Hush fbr answeredprarnlngly, glancing in .the direction of the other occupant of-iheroom ; "they will hear you." v "How did you know me?" , v "" "I saw you with your husband in Italy." "I do not remember you." ! . "No; probably not. You were pointed xout to me as the rich American girl who had married the Count of L'Fevre for his title." ,.. - St. Claire's voice was as cold as Ice, and his words as cruel as death. The woman trembled uqder them as if they had been blows which cut her to the heart She answered, in a voice so low as to be almost Indistinguishable i "That marriage was unfortunate." : ' "Whera.lt your husband ? . "Dead r . 7 -"Your friends hera know nothing of this?" "Nothing. I was only married a short time when my when the Count died, and I thought It beat to come back under my maiden name." ' "It is never best tq sail under false colors." . 'l see that now, , but It Is too late. Mr. St. Claire, I beg, I pray that you wlll keep my secret It can avail you nothing to disclose ttnvhihrto me It will bring utter ruin and desolation." "Miss Langdont because you are a woman, and at my mercy, Twill remain silent until silence Is dangerous." . ' - .' Not waiting for a reply, St. Claire ofTered her his arm and led her back to their friend. Jack had watched them curiously Jealously, -viti il' :n . . . . lieu uiougiit. rerol"Mmmyaterynween,tliem, some secret,'' he said to Bell, when they both chanced to glance In the same direction. "Yes;old lovers, I should Judge," Beir an swered, mallelously, j " ;', "Lovers V echoed Jack. "A person could even If half blind, that they hate each other.".' He turned to Bell as heepoke, and following her glance, his eyes rested upon Raymond, who was sitting a short distance away conversing with Mrs. De Querry, In a sudden passion of anger and Jealousy he said, rudely : "Your scheme .has worked well.-1 understand that the question of whether or no you would ' . marry Mr. Raymond has been sett ted at last". : This was the time for Belt to have told Jack v : that Hay mond was nothing to her but a friend. But his tone and w6rds Irritated her, and the Tz black" rock " of prlde"onwhlchlthe bappt ness of so many- la wrecked Interposed, and with a grave, ; peculiar smile she answered, softly . ; - "Yes ; It Is settled." .- It was true, then ; the affair was settled past the possibility of conjecture, and his last hope was wrecked.. " All auger died out of his face and voice. He spoke In tones of infinite1 tenderness and com passion, as we bid farewell to loved ones and see them die X' IT ; V "Bell, my cousin, I wish you Joy," ' .' Ilia contempt and reproaches Bell could answer, but the pain In hla face and voice she could not bear. Repenting her folly, which was laying stones upon the wall growing up between them, she looketlup -with auddeu penitence, saying, slowly i "Jack, I must tell you flh tin thuM la nn llu I know that you are hi!!4gti!yl-h-i3-jgisin-lhf.re withJlir.-4 added,: mood. As they were leaving, Ball asked him if be day.' ;. . . - : : "No,".Jack answered, decisively, always the same thing overhand over. them a tiresome bore." - ; . The first person Bell saw, on entering tb'e con servatory of music. the next morning, wa Jack X)e Guerry, leaning attentively over the-chair In which reclined the graceful form of Helen Lang' don. gHow W came to be there, Jack could not have explained clearly, even to himself. Miss Langdon wished, to go, and had , no' escort.. (It could not have beeu that Jack was given the Im presslon that hie services would be. acceptable.) In some inexplicable manner- he found himself at her aide, lie did not 'tiave an opportunity, even If he had the Inclination, to explain to Bell, for she never glanced In their direction, or gave any sign that she was aware of their presence. "She thinks that I have told an untruth," Jack thou arht to himself: -Wellr let-her-thlnkx so. Her entire future life will be one." So. at' cross purposes they drifted on. Jack was restless and unhappy. It was not agreeable for him to visit at his aunt's now. There was restraint In his actions and Bell's that made their meetings decidedly uncomfortable. Miss Langdon did not seem to notice his abstraction. She was always charming, always glad to see him1'; 'conse quently he was jbere yery frequently , ..She told him that she missed Harry so much-;- that she had known him so many years that she intended to make a brother of him, If he would accept that vacancy In her affections Ah,young men, beware of the girl anxious to adopt you for a brother,-unless you Intend to marry her! Girls, decline wlthjhanks the broth erly attentions of the man for whom you care nothlng,for such fjrijfnhjpsusun irousiy. One night Mrs DeOuerry Invited Miss lang don to form one of a party In her box at the opera. During the play, some of the stage trappings eauirhtflreajula panic ensueLJck was stanl- crylng for Joy.", r-l Isould-rmntnlyilTer Ing talking to In1UtaymonajssKtliigJyjjn.w ang16n, when the cries first startled them, his own 6 MiHSliS In a few moments the fire was extinguished an order restored, but Bell was frightened till she was 111, yatid rising, she reeled forward a few steps and fell (alntlnsr to the floor, As, she fell, she caught Jack's coat sleeve, thus preventing him froraf' catching her. Mrs. De Guerry regarded him with stern displeasure. 'Jack, how awkward you are I Mr. Raymond, f you please." Jack , had stooped down, disengaged his sleeve, and partially raised her up, when, In answer to Mrs. De Ouerry's summons, Raymond stepped forward, to take her, In deep anger and humilia tion Jack quietly laid Bell back on the floor, and rlslngr-apftropriatedihe vacant - seat by Miss Langdon. When Bell was restored to conscious ness, the entire party retired, St Ciaire, who was with them, going home with Jack. ' "De Guerry," he said,' as soon -as they ; were comfortably seated, "do you Intend to marry Miss Langdon?"" ' ' "V ' "No; I certainly do not." "If you speak the truth,, your conduct Is unbe coming an honorable gentleman." 1 ' " i Jark sprang to his feet, ejaculating, In astonish ment: . . "St Claire !..- . . y v ;p 'Z- . "Jack, you know that your name has been linked With that of Helen Langdon as heir future husband; and knowing that, you have not dis continued yourattenttona orccasj4 jourtVtts tot her house. If you had proper respect for that lady, you would not allow her name to be lightly spoken, as It will be If you do not marry her." Jack walked heavily, back and forth across the room, his hands in hla pockets, and - his brow clouded with' surprise and displeasure "St Claire, If J did not think you a sincere friend, I would throw you out the window. I think that you mean to be kind, but you are only cruet I respect Miss Lanirdou most thoroughly, but I cannot marry, her. She knows that so we stand on safe ground."-.".. St Claire arose, went to De Guerry, and laid his hand Impressively on his arm. ... "No, you do not It Is dangerous to play with fire. As a disinterested friend. Jack, let me warn you. Jllght about facet" . . .. Before -Jack-could-reply Str Clnlre turned nd left the room. . Jack stood perfectly still and whistled softly whistled longer than usual an entire tune, and repeated the chorus. ; fThat's, the enviable position I occupy, Is it? Everybody thinks me a scoundrel, when I'm only a fool. Misa langdon, we will play "quits and the sooner the better. No one shall say that I refused to accept the advice of my friends. v Jack remembered MrsrDe Guerry's advice to the same effect But he had not considered her sufficiently disinterested .to render her opinion valuable. -- ; - -- Some one has said that the sentiment "It Is more blessed to give than to receive," refers parr Lllcularly to medicine, kicks, and advice. Of the three, probably the latter is taken the, least fre quently and with the least Uvorr Jack determined that Miss Langdon should un derstand at once that onlv as a frind vtil) all delusively bPP7tnd besides, here comes Miss regard Mm nw fti4ln'thrfntnTiWtltnhenhJTv at the risk of Incurring her eyerlast- Xangdon." tentlon of putting hla new-found resolution Into displeasure. She wouM know some day, and effect he called on Miss Langdon the following evening. She Inquired, with polite Interest con When Miss Langdon went home, Jack accom- nled her: not from choice, but because It would he discourteous tllsw her faion4be. wrntngnhe-liwttiriity --"Of that I know; no more than you do, Miss Langdon."' . ; ,- She looked surprised, then said, confidentially : "Do you know, I was very much surprised when I was abroad to hear that you were married.',' f Why were you surprised ? V "T -"Because I- did riot think that you would ever marry.! y 1 . "Again I must ask,wby ?" ''For the reason that persons who enjoy flirting as well as you do rarely care to marry." " r"Mlss Lansrdon. I deny the charite." I do not flirt" ' - ' . v , "Mr. De Guerry, I reiterate the assertion.. You do flirt" ': " -: fTd prove that ypuare. mistaken, Miss Lang don, I will tell you the reason that I never mar ried. Long ago I loved a girl who cared nothing for me, and I shall never do any other woman the injustice 'to offer myhand where my heart can never go."" : 1 There was perfect silence for a moment. De Guerry had said this, not because he wished to make a confidant of Helen Langdon, but because St Claire' a, words "aroused and alarmed him, and he' thought to show her their exact relations to each other. But It was a most lamentable failure. She raised her beautiful yessuffused with tears, and In a voice trembling with emotion which sounded very real-rshe said, softly; "There Is no reason why I should affect to mis understand you, Mr. De Guerry.-But you were mistaken. The girl you loved long ago loved you In return, and for your sake, has remained single all these years." V- - She dropped her face Into her hands, and -the sound of low, half-suppressed sobbing filled the room. . . , Jack sat stupefied. Gods I how the girl hod mis understood him ! He would explain. But' how ? Her sweet volcfe sounded through her tears.1 "DO not think tnat I am sorry, Jack. I am saw her standing by an upper window At the 7 same moment she saw him, and that he was go., v lug past, so she motioned for hm to enter. Sur-X prised at the unusual summons, he obeyed. Mrs. ;: De Guerry was beaming with smiles, and greeted him rapturously J "JckLdear Jack were you nqtge4ngto"stop . and tell me this welcome news?" t "What news?", gasped Jack, heartsick with , apprehension. r "Ah, you sly boy, you do riot care for (lie con gratulatlona of your only aunt, your nearestjlvlng relative' ; . . 7 -t- ' v "Aunt Ann, you speak in riddles." ' ' T- "Riddles not hard to read. Helen was hear this , morning, Jack, and a prouder, happier-girl r never saw." 1" Something that would have been an oath If It had passed his lips flashed through Jack's mind ; but be stood perfectly silent, staring at his In stony horror. , Mrs. De Guerry probably thought that he was too gratified for his thoughts to find utterance, for, without waiting for him to acknowledge . her outburst of enthusiasm, she turned to Bell, who had not yet spoken." -r "isabell, will you not offer your congratulations to your cousin r -"I shall never congratulate anyone, much less I my cousin, on a prospective marriage with Helen Langdon." ; ; . . .. Ills collar was chok Ice soundel far-off and Jarring as he commenced, desperately :. " " "Miss LanKloi " " . "Call me Helen, now,".she interrupted, looking up and smiling encouragingly. "Helen, I think that.you are mistaken- " "Mistaken!" Mistaken In thinking that I love you ?- Nay," Jack,1 1 have loved "you too long and too well for that." Jack groaned. He wished that the earth would open and swallow him;- that a merciful tornado would bear, him awayt Anything, anywhere, was better than to sit there and tell that loving, confiding girl that he could not marry her. It would have been easier If he could have blotted Out the memory of that Summer rrilIieoII farm house, If he could have .forgotten moonllght walks and day-light rambles; but now-y ' "Harry win be so &iau. Harry always liked you, Jack." - , -"-Yes ; but " r . ' .' . "Do you remember when we first Weamejic- qualnted when Harry brought you home V1 Jfes, he remembered ; and he sat there and lis tened while she talked and dragged him on to de struction. Jack never knew exactly what was said or how It happened, but when he went home that night,' he 4 was Helen Langdon's betrothed husband. : In mute despair, In silent, hopeless misery, he saw his false position. He was too de- preseJjowhlsjle aniLheregarled a-clgarwlth absolute abhorrence. Yes, Jack was al most' dan gerous. He deserved si nee re com misc ration when he con Id not express his feelings by whistling and a cigar had lost its charms. ; ; ' "A question of honor," men and women call It. And for the sake of honor a word usually twisted and distorted Into a false meaning they wrong themselves and each other by fulfilling a promise rashly given or sincerely repented. It Is far more honorable to confess that the bono has rrown irk some and the fetters too heavy. r Such an obliga tion Is more honored In the breach than in the. observance. A broken engagement is better than a broken marriage. And Miss Langdon? After Jack left her, she sat with folded hands and smiling Hps, 4ooking triumphant rather than happy. If a prayer had fyer.pa'HeiLherJlpsshe would have uttered one t hen a pray e r of t ha 11 kf ul ness. A cloud pe rh a pa not larger than a man's hand, but still a cloud larkened the sky of her future. If Jack should hear of her life In Italy, all woald be lost. St Claire's cruel, unrelenting facei rose before her, and she remembered that he was Jack's friend.. vrhips this "coming event cast its shadow be- ore" when he promised her, to keep her secret until silence was dangerous. Poor Jack I She iad heard him say a hundred times that he would never marry a widow. He hated a widow ! She concluded that If Jack pleaded for an early wed ding day she would not refuse his request Jack arose the next morning with spirits con siderably lightened. After a good sleep Jack would haye.slept the night before his execution thVdilemma did not seem so perplexing. The tangled skein seemed easier to unravel. Jfo had "Is her marriage to take place soon r T LjDauhU.yay Mlaa TRslM'uJrt,,Mymo4 j, house of his Aunt De Guerry. Glancing up, he "Isabell, my daughter,' remember that the lady of whom you speak Is Jack's future wife." , These words aroused Jack. He would speak now, and explain his mortifying position. Aunt. Ann r " There was a light knock, the door opened softly, and a bird-like voice floated Into the room. .: ; "May I come In?" It queried, and without wait ing for a reply Helen-La ngdon entered the room ,- arrayed lnamo8tbewItchIngmornlng toilet" She blushed divinely when she saw Jack, which of course was the first Intimation she had received of his presence, In the houwej Hernfoajhseerned InopportuneV for silence follow5el her entrance. 44I-seento-beiie-ta-inaiy,-u-shesatd,-wlth"a-chlhlish pout, which, had cost her several hours of tiresome practice. . "Never one too many In my. house, ,Hclen," an swered Mrs. De Guerry, effusively Miss-Iangdon replied with a pretty look of gratitude,, and going to Bell, vhom she had. seen during her visit earlier In the day, she slipped her arms around her waist, and dropping her head upon her shoulder, said, In a soft, cooing voice: . "We will be friends now, Bell, for Jack's sake- Jack, who loves ua both." With her free arm Bell dashed the woman from her as If her touch bad been poisonous. ' "Friends? Never! Don't dare to touch me, you viper 1" TTo 6 eon 1 1 n u etf.T' A Chtcairo drummer Is in limbo In a Wisconsin" Jail for hitting a hotel landlonl with twenty-one out or a possible twenty-three codfish balls. Tle-Philadelphia CAronicfe ir anxlously-walt- ing 10 see 11 tue"Kevtseu Jestament will press Au tumn leaves as good as the other edition.. . . wet fna OMth, The following statement of Wllllsm J. Couirlilin. of Hoinerville, Mass., is so remarkable that we bei'i-"' 10 asK lor u.tne attention or our readers. lie , says: "in tne rail or JH7 1 was taken with a violent bleeding or the lungs, followed by a severe cough. -1 soon began to lose my appetite and flesh. I was so-weak atxme itnut that! could Jiot ' leave my bed. In the Summer of 1877 I was ad- mltted to the City Hospital. While there the7 doctors said I had a hole in my left lung as big as : a half dollar. I expended over $100 in doctors and medicines. , I was so farirone at one time that a report went around that I was dead. I gave up hope, but a friend fold me of Dr. Wm. Hall's Bal sam for the I Aines. -1 - laughed at my. friends, - thinking that my case was incurable ; but I got a ' bottle to satisfy thera. when to my surprise and gratification I commenced to feel better. My hope, once dead, began to revive, and to-lay I feel in belter spirits than I have for the past inree , years. I write this honing you will publish It that every ohe'afHIcted with diseased lungs will ' be Induced to take Dr. Wm. Hall's Balsam for the Lunos. and be convinced that consumption can be ; cured. I have taken two bottles, and can posi tively say that it has done more good than all the ; other medicines I have taken since my sickness. Mv much hM nlmnot ontlrlv HlMmviiml. and T ' shall soon be able to go to work." - Sold by drug7 gists. " - Mathers t Mkrsll Mothers Mf Are you disturlel at nlirht and broken ofyour rest by a sick child atitlerlriir and crying with the excruciating pain of cutting teeth? If so, go at once and get a bottle of Mrs. WiN8lw's Sooth. ino hyrup. It will relieve the poor little sunerer Immediately depend unon it: there is no mis take about it. There is not a mother on earth who has ever used it who will not tell you at once that It will regulate the bowels, and give rest to the mother and relief and health to the child, operating like magic It Is perfectly safe to. use in an cases, and pleasant to the taste, ana is ins prescription of one of the oldest and best woman physicians and nurses In the United States. Sold everywhere." Twenty-five cents a bottle.) . A -fc. CI4 r Store Tfci dbbttld beTrtoppedr'NTecnrequent.y results In an incurable Lung lilsease or Consumption. B rows' g Bronchia 1. Tboch es are certal n to give relief In Asthma. Bronchitis, Coughs resolved to go to Miss T-;ig!0und tell her the Hnnswrnptut tn.i Tiimm muju y0r thirty years me Trocnes nave been recommenaea vj ng displeasure. t was far better that he should tell her now than for her to discover It after she was his wife. Ilia physicians, and always give perfect satisfaction. They are not new or untried, but having been. tested by wide and constant use for nearly an en tire generation, they have' attained well-merited twirrank among- the few staple remedies of the age.- ruouc speaaers ana singers use fern to cier n TWrWgtl&ttWv dox everywhere. - , . -