The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-06-12

Inc Jug Oi tarauluid JUICE Wnlcn be
sotted John Lee had hidden among tho
cabbages as he came home from the
election, was resorted to SO frequently
until its contents were exhausted, that
the head of the family was in no cOndi.
tion for day or two to exercise his au.
thOrity over his eldest son. True, he
sat in the corner giving maudlin orders
with the air of a potentate, viciously
swapping the tongs at the limbs of the
younger children, who, being on the
lookout for attacks of this kind, usually
lodged them dextrously; but the head
OF the family was continually running
over with ribald rhyme and stale with
cisms, from which all pungency and
sparkle had long been extracted by con-
slant repetition.
Melvin Hastings still fingered in the
home Of the Lees, interesting Annie
with his elegant conversation concern
ing the great world, of which she
thought so much and knew SO little. It
was little wonder that she gradually
grew TO weaving rOmances Of the future,
in which he always figured as the prime
actor, and herself as a brilliant satellite.
The fourth morning of his visit had
dawned, and he was helping, as had be-
come his regular custom, with the
morning chores. The last COW was
milked, and the two were leaning idly
against the bars, watching the playful
gambols Of the happy calves, when Mr..
Hastings suddenly said:
81 am going away to-day, Miss
Maud"
The words fell upon Amie's heart like
lead. She had been so happy for the
last few days, and life would be so dreary
when he was gone! With blanching
lip she looked into his face, and said
simply, $50 soon?"
'Yes, my pretty, petite pet. Wont
you let me be your nobleman, and will
you be my Maud ?"
81 don't like the ending Of the Maud
Muller story at all, Mr.. Hastings. Yol
know her lord got very tired of her
He was ashamed Of her among his high
bred friends, and she sighed for tn
old hay-making times at her fathers
No, my lord, decline to be anybody
Maud Muller"
Melvin Hastings doubted the evidenc
of his senses. The idea that this rusti
maiden, whose surroundings were s
IsrF,~N.F.r1 h. II ~ e.,
under the conditions they invoked
should not only not feel flattered by hi
attentions, but that she should abso
lutely refuse them, was to him at ono
a wonder and disappointment.
annie" he said, hastily, 'T mus
say that was hardly prepared 70
this.n
"Of course you weren't" testify
''You imagined, Of course, that woul
do as they always do in novels, conside
myself highly honored by the attention
Of gentleman far above me in socia
station, education and culture, and tina
I should be weak enough to submit to
yoke, which would, in time, become
grievous burden to us BOTH"
"Amie, my dear, impetuous little ide'
Of womanhood, l imagined nothing
the kind. I feel for you a deep attacl
ment, and know that culture and n
finement viii come to you with wealt
and opportunity. II you won't be m
Maud, be my Cinderella, I pray, and
will be your Prince"
''No, Mr.. Hastings, don't believe j
princes. But ! do not wish to pain yol
If, in the after years, time shall com
when I can, through my own effort
arise 10 such position in life as cove
and you shall then desire to live for NJ
as devoutly wish to sometime live fc
you, shall be happy to meet you; bI
never will I allow any man to sa
sweet words to me, if he has to stoop
reach my mental and social level"
Melvin Hastings was confounded. ]
all his wanderings he had never met
heroine like this. He was fearful
displeased as we'll What right had
to look for other than n thankful acceI
ance of his prOffers Of affection fro
this rustic, restless girl?
The two wended their way in silen
toward the house. They were near t
corner of the rough cottage, when \
Hastings sat the pals down quick
and seizing Amie's hands, said, te
derly: "At least, you will sOmetin
think of me when l am gone, VOL
you, my woodland sprite ?"
"Think of you? o, Mr.. Hastings
and two pearly drops trembled on b
lashes, and dropped on her hands as
held them.
Clasping her for an instant in !
arms, he imprinted a rapturous k
upon her lips, and then released h,
trembling with bliss, and shame, a
anger, as she felt the impropriety a
boldness Of the act. Gathering up L
pail she hurried on, and was startled
the sound of blows aud hysteri,
screams proceeding from the hou
Opening the door, sight met her ca
from which she recoiied In horror.
From a beam overhead, a kind of {
paze had been suspended, to which |
brother Henry was tied by the arr
and his feet bound together with thor
supporting a huge fenee-rail, which j