The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-12-05


with so many new books-for which
thank you kindly" added Judith, wish
ing to be polite, and speaking with the
formal phrase she had heard her father
use on different occasions.
81 need no thanks, Miss Judith. I
shall be only too glad if they amuse
you. Those English novels am sure you
will like, and they will seem like society
to you. There is nothing like \ good
novel in solitude. 1t fills up the empty
space about you. 1t is all very we'll to
read learned books till you tire of too
much thinking. And poetry is very
good, too, at times; but il you read fine
poem it creates loneliness, because it
stirs your sympathies and emotions
without furnishing a subject for them.
With the novel it is different. There
you have your scene, your actors, q sue
eession Of events-in short little mimic
world in which you can live very pleas
antly and without care or responsibility
Judith's luminous eyes shone on the
speaker who 80 readily arranged ideas
which she recognized as one with those
vague and formless thoughts which had
occurred to herself in aimless reverie at
such times as she had wondered to her
self at the different effects upon her
mind OF different books. How much
she admired and desired for herself this
analytical power of one who had learned
to observe! How great it was to know
everything so easily, as Mr.. ShultZ did.
Carl saw the luminosity of the beau
tiful eyes, and the eager spirit that fiut-
tered on the red lips, that parted in al
most reverent attention. The innocent
fiattery touched him deeper than his
vanity. He was silent for a moment,
drinking in that delicate incense with a
little heart-fiutter he had never been
conscious Of before. "How charming
she is" he thought; and then-"She is
the daughter of Jack Miles"
Ignorant Judith did not see that
thought. She was too happily occupied
with the pleasure of doing homage to
superior wisdom for thinking of herself
at all, just then. She had opened the
green-bound book absently, and now
perceived it to be book of poems.
'.But you have brought me some
pOems," she said, smiling, and more al
ease than she had been, "Are they Of
the kind to make ME lonely? If so,
must not read them while Boone is
away"
mo, do not believe they will affect
you in that way. Truly, 1 brought
them to you for your judgment.
would like to know il there is anything
in them that can commend itself to a
pure taste. The poet has made himself
famous quite suddenly-but shall say
no more. When you have read them
you shall tell me how they impress you"
Sometimes cannot explain my inn
pressions, but 1 shall try to do so in this
case, if only to compare my judgement
with yours" said Judith, modestly.
"Thank you. To compare our judge
ment-that is what wish"
A deep sigh from the floor arrested the
attention of both for the moment. One
glance showed Katie with smeared face
and hands, every dulce vanished, re-
garding them half penitently, and sigh
ing with speechless satisfaction at her
own surfeited condition. She was a
beautiful child, and no disguise of
awkward dress, or temporary sugar
coating could defraud her of her meed OF
admiration. She looked so pretty and
eomical in her droll and silent appeal,
that her auditors laughed merrily. Upon
that Katie ceased to look repentant,
and pouted, as we'll as the sticky con-
dition Of her facial muscles would per-
nit.
"Go wash your face and hands," bade
Judith, when she had done laughing;
and, not reluctant to be out of the way
Of those who were "making fun of her."
Katie dashed into the kitchen without
further bidding.
Mr.. Shultz rose to take his leave few
moments later and encountered the
rogue in the covered way, her face and
hands cool, clean and white, and her
curls pushed back from the smooth,
broad brow, her apron smoothed, and
looking the very pink Of neatness and
propriety.
''Thou sprite," said he. 'Ts this the
Katie 1 beheld few minutes since ?
What wilt thou, faiFy?"
"when are you coming again?'
asked Katie, seizing his hand.
"How can 1 tell? Your sister has
not asked me to come again, and 1 know
not IL may come on your invitation.
Ask your sister if 1 may, little one."
Judith, who was standing in the door
way, blushed. 81 did not ask YOU" she
said, timidly, because am so young,
and because-because-"
Because you know L am not welcomed
by your father. 1t is quite right; do not
think do not know it is right. But /
shall come sometimes, when 1 think
you are out of books, or when 1 am
lonely and must see you and Katie"
"Will you bring me some dulces?"
put in that incorrigible sweet-tooth.
"Only when you pay for them," said
Carl, STOPPING down. Round his neck
went Katie's plump arms in their
checked apron-sleeves, bestowing a
most violent hugging, only intermitted