The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-08-28

anybody asks about me-"
(which isn't at all likely. / can't
imagine why you should think of such
a thing as that anybody would come in
here and inquire for you"
"Amie Lee, do you remember this
note?' placing an envelope in her hand,
and looking anxlously in her face.
Annie at once recognized the note
which she had sent to Alice Hastings
some time before, and started like a
guilty creature as she thought of the
possibility of its contents becoming
public.
'HOw did you get this ~ she asked,
confusedly.
Through the Post-office," was the
quiet answer.
''By what right DO you Intercept Miss
Hastings letters ?" EN-.
"By right that is Inalienable, Miss
Lee.'
81 do not comprehend your meaning.
1t seems to me queer way of doing
business"
"Well, there's no use in quibbling
longer. / believe that can trust you;
| am Alice Hastings, at your service.
You wrote that you would be my friend.
I've come TO take you at your word.p
"What is the matter ?" cried Annie,
turning pale, "and why do you come to
me in this mysterious guise ?"
81 have run away from home. To
avoid the gossip of society, Of which my
mother and sisters are so morbidly fond,
and which won't pretend to deny that
| am afraid Of, l have resolved to hide
myself in the city until the whole affair
blows over, and Bert O'Toodles gets
married" .........
But how will you conceal yourself?"
" You didn't recognize me ?'
mo; but I wasn't looking for you.
What do you propose TO do ?''
"Would you like partner in your
business ?'
do you mean 10 ask if / would take
partner in the guise of a Sister of
Charity? ?"
"Yes.v
81 should like much TO have a good
partner; but the very idea of a nun in
store seems to me absurd.
The business would make you so COLI
spieuous that everybody would inquire
into your history, and you would be
recognized at once. You know that
that villain Bob Green, who is going to
marry your sister, is busy circulating
stories to damage my reputation, and it
would be very unpleasant to get your
name coupled with mine in any way"
''I can stand that IL you can, my
friend aud sister. But will the profits
of the business justify a co-partner-
ship ?p
'If / could get partner with twenty
five hundred dollars, so that we might
pay off Indebtedness and have the
means besides to purchase the first in
voice Of fall stock, the business would
pay handsomely. But began in debt,
my family expenses are heavy, and do
what 1 can, 1 cannot get out of my fl
nsncial embRrrassments."
IA partner without means would be
Of no use to you, then ?''
Annie hesitated TO reply. She was
extremely anxious 20 aid the fugitive
sister of her absent lover.
81 think l can get the money said
Alice, after pause. az have n mag
nificent necklace, watch and other jew
elry, besides grand, heavily jeweled
opera glass. Tll send them to Melvin
in New York and get him to dispose Of
them for me. Can you protect me,
meanwhile ?"
~ think / should find it very hard to
protect a Sister Of Charity. ! have an
Irish girl, devout Catholic, in my en-
ploy in the kitchen. She'd report you
to the Fathers, and we'd have the clergy
here to interview you at once.u
''Well, what shall / do? The city
will soon be astlr. / must be disposed
Of somewhere and somehow
Come with me. have a spare room
that 1 usually rent to gentleman
lodger, but which, luckily, is vacant
now. You shall remain there till we
hear from your brother" aud Amie's
heart gave a great bound OF delight at
the prospect of good excuse 10 write to
Melvin Hastings-merely upon matter
Of business.
The letter was written, the jewelry
safely packed in 5 box for expressing.
and long private consultation was held
concerning future plans before the other
members OF the Lee family were astir.
From her window Alice watched the
crowds as they hurried to and fro, and
caught a glimpse once of the white face
Of her mother as her carriage bowled
along the pavementin front Of the store.
And while her father was chartering a
steamboat to send in search of her, and
Bert O'TOodles twirled his rattan on the
sidewalk in aimless wandering, she
piled her busy fingers in solving the
mystery of unlearned millinery lore,
to prepare herself for the co-partnership
through which she hoped to become in
dependent of her father and his matri-
monIal and financial schemes.
Annie found time during the day TO
serve her with food, but 1t was late in
the evening before it was possible for
her to sieze opportunity for a coveted
chat.
But, at length, the last customer was
gone, and the last Lee was fed, washed
and bedded for the night. Annie, so