The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-03-06

do not be deceived about me, Mad
am; I am not marrying man." re-
turned he as meaningly.
"What does it signify ?" cried the lady
rather sharply, smarting under a sense
Of defeat. 81 ask you to give your pro-
lection, as a gentleman, to this young
girl, on a long and difficult journey. /
expect no more. When she arrives at
San Francisco you will have done with
her. Do you refuse ?"
"What is to be done with her at the
end Of this journey? Do not I know
that young girl cannot be left to her
self in strange city? Has she money?
has she friends ?' asked the Major, as il
protesting against the whole arrange
ment.
"What shall be done with her ?" ex-
claimed Mrs. Stewart, more than half
offended by this crowd of interroga-
tives.
"God knows! If you send her with me
I will do all that gentleman can for her
comfort aud security. Beyond that 1
promise you nothing"
"Well, that is all 1 expected, GER
tainly. 1 cannot ask you to marry
her." she added, laughing with restored
good humor, "since you are not mar
rying man. and Pm not certain she
would have you. Nor cannot ask you
to adopt her; since you would hardly
pass for her papa. So if you will prom
Use to take care of her on her journey, /
am satisfied"
81 am to suppose then, that Miss
Miles will be ready for travelling by the
day after tomorrow Who is to dry
those tears she Is shedding now? You?
Welll then, Pm off to conclude my prep
arations for removal;" and with a bow
the Major took his leave.
There was no time to be lost before
informing Judith of this arrangement
But the Doctors wife-the dearest lit.
tie woman in the world'i-felt just the
least bit reluctant to annouce the COM
pleted progromme to her unsuspecting
friend.
"My dear Judith" she said, coming
into her room to find her friend remov-
ing the traces of weeping; show should
you like to return to California ?"
''To California;" cried Judith amazed.
"Why do you ask me If should like
that? Why should you wish to know?
do not know how could go, If 1
wished"
"But you can go, dear, If you would
like to. An opportunity has just Of
fered ITSELF" and Mrs. Stewart passed a
caressing arm around the young 1.-THE
form.
a picture of that weary road, so lately
toiled over, occurred to Judith; and she
replied slowly, as if balancing the sub
ject in her mind: 'I don't know why
should wish to go back to that country
I have no relations there. You are the
best friends ever had"
"Dear Judith" began Mrs. Stewart
feeling self-reproached, and betraying i
by the tones of ber voice.
"Oh, 1 see it all ~ cried Judith. "YoI
wish me to go. I have brought yol
into trouble. Nothing but trouble car
come where am ~
"Let us sit down and talk this matte
over" returned the elder lady geutly
You have just called me your bes
friend. L am your friend, hope; bu
the time will come-may come at an!
moment-when can no longer be o
service to you. The Doctor, you know
dear, is subject to order, and may b
sent to any other station, in any part o
the country, at any time. So 1 coul,
not give you a home here, and coult
not take you with me. You would b
left alone; and you could not remail
here, either alone or otherwise-afte
what has happened"
1t was out at last-the real reason
and Mrs. Stewart felt relieved. Judit
was prepared for it, too, as her answe
showed, though not reconciled.
"No," she said, 'I could not! Blu
how am to get through this terribl
world alone? am only seventeen an
, half, and yet have suffered so much
am ignorant of everything, even ofho'
to sew or cook well. / could not teac
, the youngest scholars properly. Onc'
when first thought of it, believed
could; but now 1 know better. And
have no money-nothing. If coul
only die, there would be an end" TIL
piteous, trembling tones said more eve
than the words.
This was one of her old-time mood:
when she despaired of everything, an
truly the circumstances warranted
now, If ever. Mrs. Stewart was herselfin
) pressed with the bitter truth that force
this cry from the lonely young creatur
/, IA general suttee of all homeless al
Portionless women would, believe,
a good thing" was what she though
first. Then 'I do not see what the chill
,ciu do, but the law of self-preservatio
:, is the first law of life, and cannot haI
the Doctor forced into quarrels on n,
- account"
l well, DEAR" she spoke aloud, at las
u hope you believe 1 am very fond
,e you, and take deep interest in your a
h fairs. Nothing would make me hal
II pier than to keep you for my OWN
pet sister-but fortune is against u
/ and it cannot be-" And she kissed he
Y "But you have not inquired abo
h your escort. Nothing could be nice
o IL is Major Floyd!'
ooh il II he Whera Is he oninr9