The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-03-13

in cavalry service. But Pll not do either.
I will ask the Major to take him and
use him till l am ready TO take him
back"
"a very proper notion, my dear. Now
LET us 60"
Judith found Todd holding her horse.
The poor fellow blushed painfully
when she caught his eye.
"Never mind, Todd" said she, bend
ing down and whispering. 'Tm going
away soon, and I'll not get you into any
more trouble"
'Damn himp returned Todd. 'If
had him out on the prairie I'd scalp
him."
$50 would l." returned Judith. go
dear,D she thought, the next moment
after; 'Pm getting terribly demoralized
by these things. 1 presume 1 shall be
swearing, next, like Todd" though in
truth Todd had not sworn, by anything
in heaven above nor in the earth be-
meath.
They had not gone far before they met
Major Floyd and Colonel Kellogg. The
ladies would have passed with bow to
one gentleman, but were prevented by
both officers refining their horses abreast;
the Colonel by this movement being
placed next Mrs. Stewart.
''Mrs. Stewart, beg leave to apollo
gize," roared the Colonel, as if he were
giving an order to troops. 'I made an
ass of myself in your house, and am
id sorry for it. ask Miss Niles par
don, too"
Judith watched Mrs. Stewart, and see-
ing that she bowed her head, inclined
hers also. But at the same time touched
her horse with her whip which made
him start briskly forward, and without
turning to see who followed, kept up q
lively pace.
The Colonel did not, as Judith feared,
attempt to join the party. AS soon as
he had made his little speech, he bowed
and rode away, looking pale, and, for a
marvel, sober
'fYou made him do it?" said Mrs.
Stewart to the Major.
"Only so far as forced him TO sober
He's good-hearted man when
he is not soaked in liquor"
''He is better than his wife then. She
has not that excuse for her insults"
Even Mrs. Stewards amiability was
not proof against Mrs. Kellogg's sting
ing tongue.
'T have news for you," said the Ma
jor. 'Mrs. Kellogg is going to San
Francisco"
The Doctors wife fairly gasped in
his face. "Mrs. Kellogg ?n
"Yes. She has intelligence that one Of
her sons is seriously i'll, and she take;
advantage of our escort to get to the
lines of travel"
81 give Miss Miles joy of her com
panyw
"YOu could keep Miss Miles q littl'
longer, now?" said the Major, smiling
Mrs. Stewart was not ignorant Of th'
talk among the servants about th'
Coloneps wife and Major Floyd, ant
she looked so hard at that gentleman
that he colored in spite of himself.
'Do you wish that I should ?n sh
asked.
''Let US consult the young lady her
self" he replied, as Judith came canteI
ing back to meet them.
"Judith," began Mrs. Stewart, immC
diately, "Mrs. Kellogg is going to Sa
Francisco. The Major suggested that
should keep you here a little longe
What do you say ?''
If the Doctors wife had been SUI
prised, Judith was not less so. Mr.
Kellogg's conduct towards herself ha
so prejudiced her opinions that she ws
prepared to credit much against her this
was wrong. She looked at the MajC
with frank curiosity to get some clu
but his face was a mask. Half doze
coniectures fitted across her mind, a
colored more or less by Josie's gossip. !
last, hover, she hit her conclusions:
"Mrs. Kellogg knew it was my inter
ton to go?n
81 so informed her." returned Il
Major.
"Then shall go. The stages are FRI
to all, 1 presume"
"But l0e shall travel by ambulan,
{ through the Territory
y "Ohw cried Judith. ''Do you mes
: that / shall travel by stage ?''
i ''If you insist upon it. So can Nh
kellogg. 1 pledged myself to Nh
Stewart to see you safe at your destin
tion. have just promised the Colon
e to look after Mrs. Kellogg. Now, ladi,
o you see the chances / havefor happine
o on this journeym
Mrs. Stewart laughed. "Judi
i must not give it up-nOt if I wanted L
n a thousand times more than do; and
shall be horribly lonely-ths only la
e in the Fort. Pen goes to, l suppose p
: "'AIrs. Kellogg and servant Yes
e have no doubt. o, we shall be quit
n party. Are you not tempted TO jC
usT'
It AT am never tempted to move vii
out orders. The Doctor and / can SCI
), out our three years of frontier life
! we'll here as somewhere else. New
theless, if we are ordered of hops
7, may be to San Francisco"
t. There is chance of il ?'' inquiI
Of Judith eagerly. 40, then 1 may rea
see you again %