The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-04-03
CHAPTER XVIII.
DIsILLUsIoSED.

DIsILLUsIoSED.
Mrs. Brace took care that Judith
should not go out alone next morning,
by requiring numerous little services
which at once employed and interested
her-among other things, the bringing
out and dusting of some beautiful pieces
Of Sevres china, which We're to be used
as table ornaments, and when these
housekeeping cares were finished, the
looking over closets and drawers, from
whose recesses were brought forth such
treasures of old dresses, shawls, laces, and
all feminine paraphernalia, as the
daughter of Jack Miles had never
dreamed of, but which, curiously
enough, she was ready to appreciate in
all their chOiceness. As a reward for
this unexpected discernment, she was
presented with a crimson brocade of the
seant pattern Of our grandmothers' time,
and made originally for a petite wearer,
which she was assured could be turned
to some advantage by a skillful dress
maker. And Judith, rejecting upon
herprobable chances Of requiring dresses
Of crimson silk, or Of employing skilled
dress-makers, put il by with thanks, and
an original mental observation upon the
fitness Of things. So, what with dress
ing themselves up prettily to see the
Major, the morning passed quickly.
"What news have we to-day ?" asked
that gentleman, when Mrs. Brazee had
excused herself for moment. "What
did your friend do for you yesterday ?"
go, dear" returned Judith, laughing,
81 am not TO go about seeking situations
any more. IL is decided that my voca-
tion is TO be presented from house TO
house, and to be smuggled into society,
by somebody with influence. Will they
pay my bills, Major? DO you know
how this sort of thing is conducted ?"
81 could make it out, think, by add
ing this TO that" replied the Major,
amused. ~ am to understand, then,
that you are going to Mrs. Cool's? ?"
"Yes, tomorrow. There will be
another day wasted" said Judith, sud
denly changing her manner, and walk
ALH away u u MAuNOM.
'I am going to take you to drive, af-
ter luncheon" the Major said, after
watching her picking to pieces a rose
she had taken from the fiower-stand.
She turned her head, and looked at
him smiling. She had always been ac-
customed to being commanded and di-
rected, and this assumption of authority
in him seemed not only proper, but was
agreeable, as relieving her of all care in
this, or any other matter in which he
chose to direct her. Judith's opinion Of
the Major was still that be was one Of
the wisest and most accomplished OF
men, and honored her greatly by his
friendship. She felt, when in his imme-
diate society, a sense of security from
ills, both present and to come, which
she had never felt with anyone else. II
he had proposed a sacrifice instead of q
pleasure, she would have smiled the
same assent. But at the very instant
of her happiness, Mrs. Stewards words
about the proprieties occurred to her
and engendered doubt.
'Tf Mrs. Brazee approves" she an
swered, trying to look unconscious, but
blushing family, with the thought Of
the outrage she was doing her friend by
this caution.
''She viii approve" he returned,
smiling with that half-protecting, half
teasing manner he often adapted toward
her; for be it known unto your lady
ship, am part of that society you are
commanded to cultivate
(which means" replied Judith, after
q moments silence "that in avoiding il
1 Ishall-"
"Avoid me? ? Precisely. What a To-
gician your are becoming. I hope this
consideration will cause you to think
seriously before condemning Mrs. Bra
zee's plans for your benefit"
Judith's tell-tale face betrayed con
sternation she could not quite suppress
She could live without fashionable so
ciety; she could event consent to drudg,
for her bread and butter, but to relin
quish a friend already gained was
greater sacrifice than had been contem
plated. Before she could recover her
self-for her judgment told her thi
must be true, even though lightly pre-
sented to her notice-they were sum
moned to the dining-room.
That was charming table Mrs. Bra
zee had prepared that morning; for Mrs
Brazee was notable house keeper. Th,
Judge, too, had found time to come NJ
just long enough to show himself at hi
own table, and say few polite thing
to his wife's guest, and the friend o
Miss Miles, though when the Judge be
held man Of little over thirty. well
looking, and apparently unobjectionabI,
in every way, Hpon familiar terms witt
his young lady guest, be was unpleas
antly reminded of the conversation will
Mrs. Brace elsewhere recorded. an,
voluntarily then and there relinuuishe,
the thought Of taking a grown-up cir
for a daughter.
Neither was that wise matron unot
servant of what she considered indica
tions, and became more than ever cor