The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-03-22

10 ldHi Out you see want the eggs to
make pound cake and Washington Die
With early in the morning, for Jane For
ests surprise party"
"Ohv' stammered Gilbert. He could
think of nothing else to say, and so let
his eyes drop on the floor. Eunice did
not appear to be in any very great hurry
about the eggs, for she seated herself
eomposedly on bag of oats quite near
where Gilbert was sitting, and wrapped
the Old plaid cloak about her. Her
picturesque face never looked so roguish
as within the puekered edge of that old
hood. The pOf hertidy shoe peered out
from under the skirt of her dress, and
her little white hauds were Just visible
where they lay folded in her lap. She
looked as if she had all day before her,
and was ready for good talk.
Now, Gilbert, if you'll stop Missing,
! will stop Mistering," said Eunice. ~
just want to know if you mean to 90 to
James surprise party"
mo, 1 DON'T" returned Gilbert,
curtly.
"Well, that's fiat" broke out the
young lady, tapping her little foot impa-
tiently. 'But it is just exactly what
expected. And pray, why should you
stay here looking like a hearse when
other people are enjoying themselves ?"
~ don't care for such things very
much, and what is the use? / haven't
got any folks. There is nobody who
minds whether / go or stay"
"Oh, / suppose you mean sisters ?"
said Eunice.
"Yes," blurted out Gilbert, feeling
that he was telling the largest kind of
a whOpper. 'I mean sisters of course" :"
"Well, it is a sad thing not to have
sisters to go about with One," remarked
Eunice; "of course it is, but that is no
reason for shutting yourself up and
looking as solemn as the grave. i
haven't any brothers, but suppose l
should shut myself up and NOPE while
the young folks are gOingabout on husk-
ing bees, and quilting parties, and
sleigh rides-would that be sensible p?
If you haven't a sister of your own to go
with, you must console yourself with
the sister of somebody else. / never be-
fore heard of a young man who wanted
TO leave this world on account of sisters
who were never born. Young men are
not apt to be too attentive TO those they
are actually blessed with"
az wasn't thinking of sisters only"
said Gilbert, feeling rather sheepish,
and turning his face away; "but / am
alone in the world. / have no folks of
my own. If there is no one to take a
particular interest IN US we lose heart i'm
things"
Gilbert stammered, and Eunicecaught
him up in her sprightly fashion, $50
you sit here in sackclOth and ashes be-
cause you haven't got folks. You are
mourning, l suppose, for your great
III 4 i.
enty years ago. If you haven got folks
why don't you adopt some-my folks
for instance. There isn't any sense in
you're trying to make out that you are
lonely and desOlate.n
"a man wants his own folks" re-
turned Gilbert, rather stiffiy; "but /
said what l have because / wish
to be pitied."
"Oh, i shan't pity you,n returned
tunice, with n little toss of her curly
head. 81 am notin the habit of pitying
people just because they are obstinate
ana unreasonable. And, besides, it is
growing dark, and I really must go and
ook for those hens nests. Only will
'ay, Gilbert Freeman, think you have
lcted in n most ungrateful manner
Here poor father has been laid up all the
season with rheumatism, and has put
-he whole of his business in your nands.
He thinks there never was another such
4 man made. He would trust YOU with
gold; and mother, soft-hearted
little woman, could not love YOU better
If you were her own son. And now, i'm
spite Of it all, you 90 on crOaking as if
nobody took any interest in YOU, and it
does not matter whether you live or die.
| call it base ingratitude.n
80 do l." put in Gilbert, humbly.
'Why, do you agree with me? ?n re-
torted Eunice. "Doyou wish toexasper-
ate me still mOre?"
no" replied Gilbert, from a depth of
abjectness almost pItiful because he was
such a big, strong fellow. az only
wanted TO hear you scOld. / would
rather hear you seold than the sweetest
music that ever was made.n
1t was growing deep dusk now; but
Gilbert could see that Eunice flushed.
What nonsense" said she, jumping
up from the bag of oats; and then she
gave little forced laugh, and stood first
1n one foot, then on the other, like a
nervous bobolink, and added, with an
innocence, ''Really, it is get
ing quite dark, and / must go and hunt
hose hens nests.n
Let the hens set tonight, Eunice,"
aid Gilbert, and he, too, got up and
ook hold of the side of the bin, as if he
wanted support.
"Will Milton Spencer be at the sur
Prise party ?' he inquired, abruptly,
changing the subject, and making a pos
tive effort to ask the question.
"Of course he viii" !" said Eunice, ii
"a party would be no party at
Ill without Milton. He is the life of
very company, and the most agreeable
young man in the village. Thegirls are
quite wild about him, assure you.
And then he is so well educated, and
has read so much, and can recite Latin
poetry, though / don't see what's the
good OF 1t. Of course we admire all
hose rigmarOles in foreign aud dead
anguages we don't understand a word
d. When Milton looks at me with those
llce brown eyes, and says, Miss Eun-
eei how tempus does fugit," il is beau
.iiui. Besides, he knows all the college
okeS and songs, and he has no near CON
nection, believe. He was brought nm
oy an Uncle; but he don't think II nee
essary TO go Off alone by himself and
croak IKE a crow in the top of a nine
Tree. he eirculates around among folks
ana people like him. If You want ~
'OUiSeii
IL u just possible Eunice knew each
one OF her words in praise of Milton
spencer was like particularly sharn
needle thrust into the tenderest sDot in
Gil6ert,s heart; but the outward effect
she had not counted on.
Gilbert set his teeth hard, and mut-
tered between them, "COnfound Milton
Spencer. wish / could punch that fell
lows head.r
80 dear" cried Euniee, with the nret-
tiest show of anxiety possible. "Isn;t
AIlltnn nice Nnnnn nnnn Ii