The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-10-02

you last saw me. But you'll keep my
secret, won't you, just little longer,
mother dearl"
at is not necessary"
"Yes, il is necessary. My dear part
ner, Annie Lee, my brothers afllanced, is
in great trouble. You have heard of
her arrest. know that better, purer
woman never lived than she, but it will
take some little time to prove her inno-
cence; aud it would be very mortifying
to May for the de'aouement of my
mysterious disappearance TO be made
known to the Cossiping public before
her wedding-day is well over. Will you
keep my secret and be happy, mother
dear ?'
"Yes, my precious, l will keep your
secret, and am very happy now"
"You'l get well, too, won't you,
mother"
mot in this world, child. He giveth
his beloved Sleep My life been a
grievous trial through weary years and
years. 1 long to be at rest. When /
shall have seen Melvin can truly say,
let now thy servant depart in peace "
In few moments the invalid was in
quiet slumber. Alice watched her long
and anxiously, and returned at last to
her business to find Amie's sisters,
Fanny and Sue, engaged in earnest con-
versation with their bachelor uncle.
"Has business been good to-day?'
Alice asked, as she removed her hat,
adjusted her hair carelessly, and dropped
upon one of the seats before the counter,
excited and painting.
80, yes; we've had splendid luck, "
said Sue. al wish you and Annie could
get married and leave the business to
US"
perhaps we will when We get able to
support husbands" was the ready reply.
al hope you will not consider me in
trusive, Miss LIE Clerq, but L have had
long private conversation with Annie
to-day, and she has told me all about
YOU" said Mr.. Ainslee.
''Then Annie was guilty of taking un-
warrantable liberty with my personal
affairs" retorted Alice angrily.
al hope you are not afraid to trust
me?" and the kindly gray eyes looked
appealingly into her blueOn with gaze
that sent q strange thrill all over her.
mo" said Alice, 81 am not afraid
but l am fearfully hungry. Haven't
tasted food since morning. Isn't dinner
most ready ?" turning to Fanny, who
was trimming hat.
"Dinner was over an hour ago." was
the careless reply. "Where have you
been?p
Attending to my own affairs, my
dear. But never mind, l can go to a
restaurant" taking her hat from the
wall as she spoke.
81 have not dined, Miss lie Clerq, and
should be pleased to have the honor Oi
accompanying you, ifyou do not object"
'Thank you. I shall be happy TO ac-
cept your profler. Its tedious dining
alone"
'pll bet a biscuit that uncle John
loses his heart before he's done paying
the agreeable to Alice" said Fanny
looking after them as they leisurely
walked across the way.
"What did Miss lie Clerq want
mamma :" asked May Hastings, as soor
( as she could find the time to visit the
invalid's chamber.
"She brought me this dispatch, sen
7 by Melvin to a business firm in the city
He says, Tell May to postpone her wed
, ding till 1 come. Will be home by tn,
twentieth" and the pale consumptiv'
caressed the bit of paper as though i
\ were thing of life. "She also says tina
Q Alice will come at the same time," con
E tinued the mother, and now, my dear,
want you to consent TO their wishes anC
e wait until they come before you ar
7 married. You'll only be compelled t.
wait nine days. You may be marrie'
I on the twentieth, and we'll be unite,
4 family once more before die"
"What will father say?" asked May,
q little annoyed.
ar can't say anything to him about ii
dear, except that you can't get read.
before the twentieth"
5 Mr.. Robert Green was very much en-
e ragged. He 'didn't believe in postpon
ing weddings" But May was inexora
: BILE, and he, not yet being her lega
= owner, couldn't help himself.
d "Never mind,r he said, soto roc
!. through his set teeth. "a woman Ina
her way before the knots tied. Afte
that, it's his turn ~
ITO be continued.l