The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-01-23

said, pauslng in the doorway.
"Good-morning, Mr.. Shultz," re-
turned Judith, slight fiush tinging the
clear white Of her face; twill you be
seated ?u
"If am welcome" he replied. 'Tell
me first il am welcome"
81 do not know why you should wish
to be made welcome, Mr.. Shultz," said
Judith, with deeper blush. eYou
know what kind Of people live in this
Observation-Disclosures, and-liars.n
It was now Mr.. Shultz that bIushed.
His courteous nature was touched and
wounded.
80 Miss Judith, how can you! Never,
in my my most secret thoughts, have
said that to myself 1t is painful-it is
an outrage"
TO call myself liar? It is an out
rage that suffered from yourself, if 1
remember rightly-not but that 1 de-
served it." She stood confronting him,
the color once more all gone out of her
face, that looked so white in contrast
with the large, dark eyes and jetty
lashes. What a change had come over
the soft and blusbing girl Of six months
ago.
Mr.. Shultz sank into a chair, regard
ing her steadily, yet with a demeanor
more or less puzzled; for this was a
woman who confronted him, instead of
the preeOciOus child whom he had openly
admired and patronized.
miss Miles," he said addressing
her for the first time by her sur
name, "You do make me unhappy
by your resentment. do not like to
suffer. ] have no talent to be unhappy.
Will you not forgive me ?"
1t was the old, frank, half-humorous
way again, so hard to resist. Judith felt
a throb at her heart, and sat down
again, half-faint, her eyes on the floor.
Forgive him. What had she to for
give compared with what he had for
given? Could the account ever be set
tied-her fathers account and hers 4? A
moments reflection showed her the
emptiness Of such hope. She was ir-
this mans debtor, and such
must remain. The score could not be
blotted out by fresh favors. No; she
would not have his friendship, TO which
she had no right.
''Mr Shultz," she said at length, her
eyes fixed on her hands, twisting nerv-
ously in her lap, "you must not think
me ungrateful for past kindness because
decline future ones. You have been
the best, and only wise and thoughtful
friend / ever had, and what little worth
there may be in me 1 must owe TO you.
But owe too much already to accept
more. give you up, knowing what 1
lose. 1t is best for you to keep away
from here"
"But do not see why-I do not see
whyl Your fathers fault--I beg your
pardon-is not yours, and you are dis
tressing yourself on that account-I
know it. And you are Furnishing me for
a word" dropping his voice remorse-
fully, "but that is mistake. Do not
know that you are truthfulness itself?
Your poor attempt at falsehood could
not deceive me. 1t told more than it
concealed. And it showed me your noble
heart, which pained itself for another.
Do not tell me your worth is not your
own. know it for myself" he con-
eluded, rising in his earnest, positive
fashion, and standing before her.
But Judith, who found no room for
pride or resentment here, was deter
mined to debase herself.
~ am not fit to receive your kind
ness" she said. 'T was not At from the
first. There is something have wished
to speak to you about-your books-I
should like to return them to you"
''You will not have even my poor
books But they are not mine; they
are yours. All the value they can have
to me is their association with your
self. 1t may be much, but / viii not
have them for all that."'
"The time is coming, then" contln-
ued Judith, still nervously twisting her
slim, white fingers, "that they will
want an owner, for we cannot stay here
much longer. Pap will go away as soon
as Boone comes home, orr she wanted
to say ''as soon as he can give him up
as dead" but her lips refused the utter
anee, and a few great tear-drops faIl
upon her hands.
Mr.. Shultz was losing his babitual
self-eommand. He had a genuine bear
ache for this unhappy girl. 'tHer
brother, too" he muttered; "she sor.
rows for him." and failed to say any.
thing aloud.
"When we CO." continued Judith
''there will not be room In the wagor
for such luxuries as books. Pap woul,
not allow it if asked him." she addeC
with n little flush, and dignified lifting
of her head.
"What is it 1 have done that you
father so dislikes me ?" inquired Shuts
with some display Of feeling. "You die
speak against me at tire examination
that had injured your father purposely
But it was not 30. l have tried to buy
his land at a price that is enough for un
improved land. Ihave always been hi
friend, even when he did say rougl
things about me. 1 had that peice o
land put in wheat because 1t was an out
of-the-wsy corner, and could be mad
profitable SO. II your father had waite'