The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-29

'N'NNi NN SeANAhAhS hcI eyes III bue
gloom, Annie beheld the outlines Of a
tall, commanding form, to which she In
stinctivety yielded one Of the heavy
pals, scarce knowing why she did It.
'I was out shooting and lost my way"
explained the stranger. 'T have bagged
some very fine pheasants, too, and am
looking for a place to stay over night,
and get them cooked. May 1 intrude
upon your hospitality? ?"
$50 it was selfishness made you offer
to carry my pail, was it?"
The voice was musical and rippliug,
and he rather liked it; besides, the girls
audacity was charming.
care the men you know always con-
trolled by selishness, that you thus
judge me ?" he questioned, much inter
ested.
ayes, sir" tugging away at the re-
naming pail.
"Then allow me to be still more sell
fish, for it hurts me TO see a little mite
like you bearing such load"
Was it the sudden relief from the
strain upon her muscles, that sent the
blood bounding to her heart so vehe-
mently that she unconsciously gave a
little cry of pain?
"Are you i'll? What is the matter,
Miss ?"
They were nearing they door, now.
"Be careful ofyour steps, please. It's
very muddy near this door. The chick
ems make it so," was the evasive reply.
"But you havn't said could stay all
night"
81 fear we cannot keep you, sir. We
never entertain strangers, and we have
no place for you to sleep"
MAY 1, at least, come in? ?"
Thoughts of the possibly uncIeared
table flashed across her mind; and then
the churn in the corner, and all the
children around the fire, and her mother
nervous and sick-surely the prospect
was not very inviting.
But the stranger kept tight hold Of
the foaming pals, and Annie, yielding
to his quiet, self-possessed persistence,
because she could not help it, held open
the door, and invited him to enter.
For a wonder the table had disap-
peared from the floor, and the blonde
haired girl of fourteen, known by the
familiar cognomen OF Fan, was busy
with the broom. dm had piled for
midable array of charred fire-wood in
the corner, and two smaller boys, twins,
and next in age to little Tot, were busy
backing each others noses with the de-
tatched Jumps Of charcoal.
Tot was perched upon Henry's knee,
listening to story remarkable for it's
improbabilties, and utterly forgetful Of
his bruised shin, and the lacerated feel
ings of an hour before.
"Shw said Annie, under her breath.
"Here's a strange gentleman who has
lost his way and wants some supper.
Make room for him by the fire, please"
speaking deferentially to Henry, who,
in the incipient manhood he boasted,
had no idea of being 'ordered about" by
any 'girl."
'TThe butter's all eat up, and there
amt any more biscuit" said Tot.
Annie blushed scarlet with mortiflca-
tion. 'Tm afraid you've come to poor
place to get supper, sir. Father is away
and mother is not well; but, IL you will
be satisfied with such as l can give you,
we will, at least, appease your hunger"
But, in truth, Annie was sorely puz-
zled. Meat was q luxury only INDUCED
in on particular occasions, and there
was none in the house. Butter she usu-
ally had; there stood the churn, await
ing her vigorous strokes preparatory to
supplying the demand for the next
morning meal; but that did not suggest
a way out Of this emergency.
Seeing her perplexity, the stranger
said: ~ left my gun in the fence-cor-
ner when saw you carrying those pals,
so that l might assist you. There are a
half-dozen pheasants with it. II will
dress one will you fry it? The re-
mainder will make a nice breakfast for
the whole lot Of you"
Annie accepted the offer readily, in
wardly congratulating herself that he
did not know how much il had relieved
her.
The stranger left the house for his
game, and many were the eager ques-
tionings undergone by Annie during his
brief absence. But to all the children's
interrogatories, she could only answer,
81 do not know"
With deft fingers she prepared a new
supply of choice biscuits for baking,
and with difficulty persuaded Sue to
take hold of the churn.
"Get the butter, dear, and I'll save
you a nice piece of pheasant" said she,
in a whisper.
The promised reward lent swiftRess
and strength to the child's slender mus
cies, and before the pheasant or biscuits
were done, she sang out triumphantly,
that the butter chad Gomez
A cup Of tea was added to the nicely
fried pheasant and flaky biscuits, and
these, with molasses and the newly
ehurned butter, made a repast of much
greater excellence than Annie. in no,
ignorance Of the world, imagined.
The stranger helped himself to the
viands, and ate vigorously. Annie re.
fused to be helped, although the sayorv
pheasant was excessively tempting
knowing well that the seven pairs o.