The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1869-07-09

tated for sAomcnt on the threshold, with
a blanket on her arm, she seemed to have
left behind her the frank fearlcssness which
had charmed ,usys moment before. Coming
into the room, she drew low stool beside
the paralytic's chair, rat down, drew the
blanket over her shoulders and said, IF
its Ill the same to you, boys. as we're rather
crowded, I'll stop here tonight" took the
invalid's Jwitllered hand In her own and
turned her eyes upon the dying fire. An
instructive feeling that this was only pre-
perhaps some shame ut our previous curl.
Osity, kept US silent. The rain still beat
upon the roof; wandering gusts Of wind
stirred the cmbers into monetary bright
ness, until, in lull Of the elements, Mig
giles suddenly lifted up her head and throw.
ing her hair over her shoulder, turned her
face upon the group and asked: WV
''ls there any of you that knows me-"
There was no reply.
"Think again: lived at Marysville in
'53. Everybody knew me there, and every,
body had the right 10 know me- kept the
Polka Saloon until came to live with Jim.
That's six years ago. Perhaps I've changed
some" z : = r ="
The absence of recognition may have dis
concerted her. She turned her head to the
fire again and it was some seconds before
she again spoke, snd then more rapidly:
"WclI, you sec i thought sOihe of You
must have known me- There's no great
harm done, anyway. What was going to
say, was this: Jim hcre"-she took his hand
in. both Of hers IS she spoke-'.uscdt uk know
me, If you didn't, and spent heap of mon
cy upon me. ! reckon he spent all he had.
And one day-it's six years ago this winter
Jim came into my back room, sat down on
my Tho hin, hot oh
and never moved again without help. He
was struck all of q heap, and never seemed
to know. what allied him. The doctors came,
and said rs how it was caused all along of
his way of life-for Jim was mighty free
and wild likc-and that he would never get
better. and couldn't last long anyway. They
lvised me to send him to Frisco to theh
pital, for he was no good to any one and
would be baby all his life. Perhaps it was
something in Jim's eye, perhaps it was that
never had baby, but l said Mo- was
rich then, for was popular with everybody
gentlemen like yourself, sir, came to sec
me--and sold out my business and bought
| this yer place, because 1t was sort Of out of
the way Of travel, yOu see, aud brought
my baby here"
Hidden in the darkness, but still holding
his hand, she went on:
IT was along time before could get the
hang of things about yer. for was used to
| company and excitement / couldn't get
any woman to help me, and man dursent
| trust; but what with the Indians hercabout,
who'd do odd jobs for me. and everything
sent from the North Fork, Jim and man
aged to worry through. The. Doctor would
| run up from Sacramento once in while
He'd ask to see 'Miggles' baby as nc, called
Jim, and when he'd 60 away, he'd say.
'Migglcs, you're trump-God bless you;
1 and It did nj scenl so lonely after that.
But the last time he was here he said, Us he
opened the door to 90: DO you know, Mig
giles, your baby will grow, up to be q man
yet and honor to his mother; but not here,
Migglcs, not hercv And thought he went
away sad-and- here Migglcs'
voice and head were somehow both lost
completely in the shadow. ,...r..-..,.
"Thc folks about here are very kind, ~
said Migglcs, after . pause, coming little
into the light again. 1.-The men from Tie
Fork used to hang around here. until they
found they wasn't wanted, and the women
arc kind-and don't call was pretty
lonely until Ipicked up Joaquin in the woods
yOnder one day. when he was Mt SO high.
and t:ught him TO .tkg for his dinner; and
Know Know: n6 end 81 tricks, and makes It quite
.ociablc of evenings with her talk. and 50
/ donn't feel like as. ]. was the only living
being about the ranch. And Jim here,
said Migglcs, with her old laugh again, and
coming out quite into the freight, ''Jim-
why. boys, you would admire to see how
much he knows for man like him. Some.
times bring him flowers, aid he looks al
'em just a. natural ~ if he knew 'cm; and
him those things on the wall. Why, Lord !!
said Miygles, with her frank laugh. "rvt
read him that whole side Of the house this
winter There never was such man fol
reading as Jin,."s rss-, a,,.,or ,7sG
why" asked the Judge, Edo you no,
marry this man to whom you have deyotet
your youthful life?"
well, you ser" said Migglas, lit wouii
be playing it rather low down on Jim, Il
take advantage If his being SO helpless
lnOw. weed both know that was bound Il
do what do now of my own accord"
/ Blu: you are young yet AMI attractive
ats getting hate" said MiygIcs, gravely
land you'd bette- all turn in. Good nigh
boys;H and throwing tho blanket over he
lhead, Migg!es laid herself down beside Jim,
chair, her head pillowed ON the low sto0
THAT held his feet, and spoke no more. Tn
IIlfC SLOWLY 1oAtCN lSOtN NO u-0i4Hs 81" v SaSl
sought our blankets in silence; and, pre-
3 .ntiy. there was no sound in the long room
lbut the pattering Of rain upon the roof, ant
the heavy breathing of the sieepera
II was nearly morning when awoke from
troubled dream The storm had passed
the stars were shining, and through TIN
shutteflcss window the fun moon, Hftin!
itself ever the solemn pines without, looked
|. into the room. stlttouchcd the lonely fgnr
In the chair with'an infinite compassion
and seemed to baptizc with shining floot
The lowIy head Vt the woman whose hair, 8
In. the sweot old story, bathcd the feet Q
him She loved. It even lent o kindly pOetr,
q the rugged outline Of Yubs Bill, half-rc
clining on his elbow between them and hi
paseei,xcrs, with savagc1y patient eyes keep
inr watch and ward. And ihon / fell asleeI
ma only woke at broad day, with Yuba Bfl
standing Otss 40 and IAN aboaeE nngin:
!. ccnes Vas w.islne; Il ot 4. On the table, 81
Mieglcs was gone We wandered about tn
, ho1se and fingered long after tho horse
, were haii,cssed, but she did not return.
. was evident che Wished ~ avoid , forma
jesye.taking and hal . left us to depart 4
. W Md come. After wei hAlihclpcd y,
ladies' into ~ coach, va returned to Il,
house and sele@ply she,k hsndk wish th