The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1871-10-20
CHATTER XIII.


and sat down within the recess of the
latticed alcove to wait and dream and
ponder.
What was life TO me that I should
struggle on thus wearily? OH so often
had asked this question and no answer
came; and now-the thought was almost
unendurable-the one problem of my
life seemed at its near solution, and nv
very soul was mute and apathetie. 1
knew not what to do.
Mrs. Lewis, my true and trusty friend,
came tripping up the gravel walk, and,
bounding into the darkened room where
sat in silent agony, threw her plump,
white arms around my neck in her ire
sistable, gleesome way.
"What now, Judie, dear? Hope YOU
haven't been seized with another fit of
blues? Well, well; this won't do! Your
face is as long as a yardstick! What's
the matter?' taking my two hands III
hers and looking me in the face with an
air of concern that ended in ludicrous
outburst of laughter
81 have enough of trouble and annoy
ance to kill an angel No wonder life
goes hard with a poor, helpless mortal
like myself"
''Tut, tut; nonsense! Look here ~
drawing roll of newspapers from the
depths Of her ample pockets and spread
ing before me the united eulogisms of a
dozen men of note. "There; what have
you to say to thatr'
Nothing. 1t don't amount TO any
thing"
judith Smith nee Reid! / am
ashamed Of you If should merit such
high commentator from the world of
letters I should effervesce in rhapso-
dies.u
"Guess it's well you don't receive
them, then" l answered, with a bitter
laugh. "Put these things away, please"
/ continued; II want no such nonsense
about me to-day"
The large, expressive eyes changed
their animated expression to one of Sc
TiOus concern.
Can I do anything to help you?"
''Maybe you can help me to elucidate
this mystery" handing her the letter
from the lover Of my youth.
The frank and honest features of my
friend changed into a blank expression
of bewilderment. l eagerly studied her
as she read and was not surprised to see
her countenance betray vivid cOnsterna-
tion. It seemed that was prepared for
it by some mysterious premonition.
Judith, do you still love that man ?"
The voice was wavering and strange,
and somehow reminded me of the timid
flutterings of frightened bird.
'TThat's nobody's business but my own,
my friend"
"Ohl Judith Reid, it is my business,
for I have many things to tell you"
''Let me listen, then. See, am all
attention"
Ny ffiend arose and paced to and fro
through the parlor, wringing her hands
sometimes and sometimes clasping them
as if in prayer.
Then coming back to me she
said simply: "Let me see that letter
again"
1 gave it to her and she turned away
read it slowly, dwelling with intense in
terest on every sentence. At length she
came back to me and dropping upon one
knee at my feet, clasped my icy-cold
hands and said:
'Dear, weary, waiting Judith Reid
My father told me many years ago, be-
fore the carking cares of life had eank-
cred my bright visions of the roseate
possibilities of unsullied earthly happi-
ness, that you had had this trouble. ]
have never known the whole truth, but
of one fact I have always been eogniz-
ant NY father has had much trouble
aboutyou. His visit to Oregon was mad,
on purpose to find you out and aid yoI
in your life of toll and drudgery. Tina
he did thus aid you 1 have heard yol
tell repeatedly. Now, as it seems tina
there is soon to be some kind of a solu
ton to this old-time mystery, beg, ol
behalf of my honored father, that yor
will deal leniently in your judgmen
with any past act of his which may dis
please you"
"What has DR.. Armstrong done, tina
YOU thus seek to screen him ?'' was m.
fierce rejOinder.
'rHe has committed no error Of tn
heart, my dear. And that you may fee
intuitively that he has never meant t
wrong you is my earnest prayer"
''Alrs. Lewis look at me- I carrie
you in my arms when you were baby
1 performed menial Offices for YOU t
which your own mother never STOPPED
The brightest of my childhood's day
were clouded by the care of you. I hav
felt myself repaid for all this wear
drudgery in the past few months i
which your love has blessed me, but
urge you now, by all that you hold sa
cred, to avoid equivOcatiOn and tell IN
the whole, unsullied truth. If DIR. Arm
strong has in any way been a party I
the great injustice that has warped m
life, let me know it, or, by the Eterna
YOU shall feel my wrath"
s'To taunt your friend with the he'll
lessness Of her babyhood is not like yO
Judith. thought you were more ju
than this.n
"Forgive me, darlingi am sure d