The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-01-23

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his stock were not suffering for water.
/ ask you now, what have done?
Happily his warmth and vehemence
aroused Judith somewhat from her hu-
mility and detection. A spark of the
electric fire communicated itself to
her.
at is not what you have DONE" she
said; sit is what you are, and we are. /
do not deny"-looking up at him with
humid smile-"that I consider myself
your inferior, In many ways. But we
belong to class that will not bear to
have superiors. Pap has not education
but he has pride, and anger-and injus-
tice," she added in lower tone.
"Yes, that is 1t. And will you have
ME bear this injustice? VIII you say
that husband that you must? Why
does your father wish to leave Califor-
mia? There are many pleasant places,
even II he likes it not here. 1t will not
be better in Texas, and you will have
had the long, hard journey for moth
ing"
81 know it," answered Judith, shud-
dering. "If Pap starts for Texas, we
shall never get there; but our bones will
lie along with Boone's."
"Do you believe your brother to be
dead 81 asked Mr.. Shultz, regarding her
with wonder and pity. "And can you
calmly consign yourself to the fate
which you think has overtaken him ?
Miss Judith, you surprise me more and
more. Pardon me-but only fool or a
heroine could dare such chance as that;
and that do not think you the first,
you know. 1t may be heroic, but do
think it wrong so recklessly to disregard
yourself"
"My fate is not in my own hands, -
answered Judith, sadly. "Where Pap
and Katie 20, must 60"
Mr.. Shultz was struck with an idea.
He had not much hope Of its usefulness,
and he blushed rather to propose it; but
after few restless movements about the
room he ventured upon it.
"If you wished it, 1 could prevent
your father leaving California"
"How? ?" inquired Judith, wonder
ingly.
81 could cause suit to be brought
again"
81 do not know how that would pre-
vent him, If the result was the same as
before"
'It would not be the same. You could
neuer do Il again." with so much
meaning that Judith started up, her
face dyed with bushes.
"You do not propose this thing to me?"
she asked, after moments hesitancy.
"If you believed so, why have you not
done this before ?"
"Why, indeed" returned Mr.. Shultz,
Struggling his shoulders. "Had notyou
suffered enough ? Why put your father
In prison? He will not burn our wheat
again. Do not know that? But il he
is not satisfied with what already he has
done, and will carry off you and Katie
from me forever, perhaps he Is best to be
shut up" and he studied the changing
countenance Of the astonished girl be-
fore him with characteristic coolness.
1t required some time for Judith tc
arrange her thoughts. Not that she had
the least idea Of sending her father tc
prison; but the audacity of the suggges.
ton, together with the knowledge thai
Mr.. Shultz possessed this power ovel
them without exercising it-for she
could not help acknowledging he wa:
right in his conclusions-was more thar
she could take in at once. She ought to b'
angry with him, and she ought to bt
grateful to him. What she finally made
up her mind to say was this:
'T am under obligations to you, per
eeive; but do you the justice to belIev'
that yon never meant to propose that
should crafty myself at the expense o
Pap's freedom. Bad as you may thinl
me, 1 could never do that"
Mr.. Shultz smiled, half-humorously
half-sadly. "What is that the Englisf
poet, Mrs. Browning, has written,
d" The worlds male chivalry has perished out
But women are knight-errant TO the last
'fYou have resolved to be -knight-er
rant. You will go and put yourself il
the way Of perils, and if you perish il
your adventures, count it so much duty
and glory. Is it not so?''
"What does it matter ?" asked Judith
despondently. "I can imagine a life
should like TO liye-a beautiful life, ful
Of pleasant things. / believe 1 woulC
try hard to gain or keep such a life
But this one that live now is neithe
beautiful or pleasant. II die by vio
lenee, | am no worthier a better fat
than Boone" and again the tears Of be
reavement filled her eyes.
Il do trust you are mistaken abou
your BROTHER" said Mr.. Shultz, his fac,
ana manner full Of sympathy. ain thes
adventurous countries men are con
stahtiy disappearing, TO re-appear again
after years, perhaps. You must no
grieve away your youth. lido perceive.
he added, with that mixture Of mirtb
iulness and common sense which in
fused Itself into his gravest talk. mtba
the roses Of your cheeks have turned 4
: lilies all too soon. 1t is too soon for lille
at sixteen. Besides, Won accent da..l