The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-08
VOLUME III.

many of them painful, indeed; but un-
der, and over, and through all, was a
feeling Of funspeakable relief at being at
last mistress OF her own life, freed from
charitable obligations, able to repay
dollar for dollar of the debt to Major
Floyd, able to show her thanks to all
those who had befriended her.
She would have flown to Mrs. Brazee
to impart the good news, but that lady
being asleep, after the fatigues of the
previous evening, was inaccessible. She
ran up stairs, and down stairs, unable to
occupy any chair or particular spot in
the house for more than five minutes at a
time. Thinking it impossible TO wait
quietly for the re-assembling Of the
family at the usual dinner hour to pro-
claim her happiness, she hastily dressed
in a promenade suit, and went out into
the street with the intention OF walking
of her excitement in the fresh air; but
instead Of taking the fashionable side Of
Kearny street, wandered heedlessly
away out Second, to Folsom; and seeing
by the procession of carriages that
steamer had arrived, was impelled by
hitherto ungratified curiosity to con-
tinue her walk toward the wharf, where
several good steamers were lying, and
where the passengers from one were be-
ing disemharked.
'If Madame NJ or Mrs. Brazee
knew of this eseapade," she thought,
smiling to herself, "what a lecture ]
should get. But cannot help it. 1
must do something unusual, and make
tumult to offset this tumult in me-"
People stared at her good deal, seeing
so handsome and well-dressed a girl go
ing down toward the docks; and quite
as much, perhaps, on account Of the an
imated, yet introverted, expression of
her face. But Judith needed nothing,
until a squad of soldiers, approaching
from the landing, interrupted her prog
ress. She stepped into the street for
them to pass, and came very near being
run over by a hotel-coaeh, driven in
frantic haste and total disregard of
foot passengers. Frightened and con-
fused, she regained the sidewalk to find
herself confronted by young gentle
man in military dress, who, after star
ing at her doubtfully for a moment,
raised his hat to her.
'T speak to Miss Miles, believe ?"
''That is my name" returned Judith,
returning the stare, in surprise.
az am Lieutenant Small, from Fort
Kellogg" said the young officer, with
some embarrassment
"Oh, 1 beg pardon for forgetting you,
Lieutenant. 1t was so unexpected,
meeting you, and you are looking so
much stouter and more sun-burnt than
when saw you last. Are you from
Fort Kellogg ?"
"Directly from there. Mrs. Stewart
charged me with letter TO you; and
from what know of the contents, it is
fortunate met you so soon. There is
good news for you, hear. Which way
were you going?" inquired the Lieu
tenant, with a view of pursuing the same
route.
"Me? do not believe l know" said
Judith, laughing, and confused. "My
good news has scattered my wits, am
afraid"
"Why, you have not read it yet," re-
piled the Lieutenant, inclined TO agree
with her, and handing her a large sealed
envelope.
"O," cried Judith, "I was thinking oI
my twenty thousand dollarsw
The Lieutenant looked amazed, anc
really had some misgivings about the
entire sanity of this eccentric young
lady; and Judith, perceiving at last
that there was need of explanation, hast
ened to give it.
81 received information only an houl
or two ago that am the owner Of quit
an estate; and being foolishly exciteC
over it, was endeavoring to walk of my
excessive sense of satisfaction, withou
much regard to my course. But / shal
return home at once. So" continued
. she, facing about, attended by Lieuten
I ant Small, "you have brought me more
e good tidings? 1t would be impruden
a to read it before getting safely into th'
: house. But you will call on me, to-
t morrow? have so many things to ash
about Fort Kellogg"
II The Lieutenant agreed to call and re
= port at some early day, aud Judith hur
ried home to read Mrs. Stewards letter
q It ran in this wise:
Ny Dear Jlfdith:-Lieutenant Small
1. leaves for San Francisco tomorrow, an,
d / am going to give him this letter t
e carry, as think he would like an ex
b cuse to call upon you. My dear, hav
: some news for you. The Doctor fell il
K Without why do use cireumlOcutiOn
k Joy does not kill healthy young cir
Your brother is at Tucson. The Docto
;. saw him, and told him about you. II
a was rejoiced, you may be sure, and ser
: you a great deal of love, and many me-
e sages, which do not remember; but
l. be was Just starting out on scout aft'
Indians, he had no time to write. 70
: will hear from him before long. b
II has experienced some rough treatmer
at the hands of the Apaches. He ha
s. heard of the massacre, in which he SUI
II posed you were killed, too, and is bus
avenging himself, at present. I'll
h Governor says he is a splendid your
fellow: and the Doctor saws he lool