The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-04-17

The Major looked serious at this.
mot your secret Where, then, could
it be? 1 don't like mysteries. They
are especially unbecoming in young Ia
dies. And case like this, too, where q
persons whole fortune is involved, it is
very embarrassing! Do you know you
have spent four hundred dollars in less
number of months? and may 1 ask how
you expect to be supplied with money
at this rate? Why, it would require
five or six thousand year to pay your
bilIsp' and the Major appeared struck
with CONSERVATION.
Judith not only appeared so, but really
was. She looked up at this man of fig
ures with a frightened and astonished
gaze. Her poor little, half-whispered
defence was:
'T could not help it."
"Why could not help it? Are you
not going TO trust me with this dreadful
secret? was about to tell you some
thing that would please you; but If you
will not trust me, how can know what
/ ought TO do about taking you into my
confidence? Come. pll promise, as the
children do, never to tell.'"
Judith hesitated, wringing her hands
in piteous perplexity. Her companion
stood waiting for her answer, immova-
be and watchful.
'T gave it to Todd" she said at last,
in a low voice, quickly glancing up at
him, then averting her eyes quickly.
Neither spoke, after that, for full
minute.
''Then Todd has deserted 2" inquired
the Major.
"You will not inform on him?" asked
Judith, anXiOusly.
al gave my word TO you," he said,
''and now 1 do not wish TO know any
thing more about it. The closer you
keep that secret, the better. 1 thought
better of Todd, though"
'fYou are not to blame Todd, !" returned
Judith, quickly. "He did right to run
away. And about the money, made
him take it to get out of danger with
1 told him had plenty, and he might
pay it back when he was able" Ther
seeing that the Major maintained n Sc
rious silence, she continued: ''TodC
was always so very kind to me at For
Kellogg; and got him into trouble
got him ,chiE2Oed! Do you think money
could pay him for that 7''
'fHow do you propose that the deb
shall be discharged, then ?'' asked thu
Major, throwing into his voice some
thing Of that suspicion and irony which
at times made it unpleasant.
'tHow? do not know, indeed" an
swered Judith, simply. "How could
repay your kindness? Money woulC
not do it, but If you wanted money tha
L had, should not give it to you ?"
'T am enlightened" said the Major
with sudden change of manner. "D'
not let me keep you standing; We hav'
much to talk about, perhaps. So yol
are not going to Mrs. Cool's? Mrs
Brazee tells me youdid not see her whel
she called, and you have not seen he
since?"
mo"
81 have. And she says Mrs. Braze
makes a point of your Southern birth
and dwells upon your distinguishe
Southern helplessness. Mrs. Cool doe
not approve of that, and Pm afraid
you want work your interests will no
be advanced by that view of your quail
fications. But Mrs. Cool dropped
hint, and it just accorded with plan
have been turning over in my mind 70
some time. Mrs. Cool says you ough
to be educated that with year or tw
of study you might be fitted for talin
up some respectable profession-and al
that. OF course 1 knew that before
and so did you, probably; but l waite
to see whether any of these ladies, {
whose good offices you were commende
by Mrs. Stewart, would take any steI
towards putting you in the way of aC
quiring living. Had they done so
should not have interfered; for ther
are objections. But since it comes
this, that you are TO be cast upon you
i own resources-which are no resource
at ALL propose to fill the breach, an
: constitute myself your guardian.
shall, however, be governed by yoJ
pleasure in the matter, as 1 do not il
tend sending you to school against you
Il.
ITO schoolp' cried Judith, claspiu
her hands in overwhelming surprii
J and delight: "Ohr' and words failed
express what was in her mind.
ado you think YOU should like it I?
asked Major Floyd.
: "Why, it is just what have wisht
for ever since was fourteenn'
iThat is three and half years, b
: lieve," responded the Major. "What
= period of hope deferred Mrs. Braz,
|" says must adopt you; but I suggest'
that it might be well enough to eonsu
u Miss Miles about such a matter, VIII
, though not quite of age, is still rather
large young lady to be adopted withol
her own consent"
Ie "Ohr' said Judith, laughing, 9TH
Is would be absurd. But why does MI
Brazee say that? Is it about the obje
u tions you mentioned? Cannot be Sc
to school without being adopted?"
"a 'Tfound way around that difficulty
,e he answered, eyading her question
? ''AIrs. Brazee is to become your osten: