The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-11-19
CHATTER XxN

d CHAPTER XIV.
Hurriedly enrolling herself without
bestowing thought upon her luxuriant
hair, which fell in ripples half way to
her feet, she as noiselessly as possible
descended the rickety stairs, and en-
tered the chamber of death.
The yet beautiful and once animated
face of Abba Carson was pinched in its
outlines, and a bright, hectic flush
burned upon her cheeks. She lay as if
asleep, except that she was picking ner-
vously at the bed-clothes with her
transparent fingers.
Major Lindsey was sitting in the low
rocking-chair, half doing, and was
startled when Rosa spoke.
Looking up, he made sudden motion
as if to grasp her, and then, recollecting
himself, exclaimed, ''You look so much
like an old memory, Gussie, that I
thought for an instant that you were in
deed my mother"
AT another time, the native gallantry
of the Major would have caused him to
supplement such speech with an apol-
ogy for an allusion to her seemingly
advanced age, but he was in no mood
for gallant speeches now, even though
the lady thus addressed was many years
his junior. -..-.
81 oversight, or rather, overdreampt
myself. How is our patient ?'' asked
Rosa, anxiously.
'In the death stupor, Gussie. She
has not raved any since you left her. 1
fear that she will not last until her hus-
band returns. At all events, there is
danger that she will not know him,
even if he does come before the spirit
leaves its worn-out casket."
Rosa was overwhelmed with grief,
and yet, her late vision overshadowed
her with a peculiar spell which alone
saved her from wild exclamations of
anguish.
Leaning fondly over the still features
Of her death-doomed friend, she stood
for many moments as if unconscious of
any other presence; and when at length
inquiring, uncertain gaze of Major
Lindsey, she uttered a low, wild cry,
and dropped upon the floor, insensible.
The Major, astonished and really
alarmed, raised her in his arms and
bore her to the lounge, where for several
minutes she lay motiOnless, excepting a
nervous tremor of her lips and eyelids.
Recovering after a while, she looked
beseechingly into his face, and then,
covering her eyes with her hands, walled
mentally, "Ob, that I might tell him
But he would spurn me as viper He
said be would %
"Are you better now?" asked the
Major, offering her drink of water.
eyes, thank you. I was nervous.
How foolish of me to faint. Has Mrs
Carson stirred ?''
Rosa I" cried Alba Carson, in low
weak voice, 'come closer to me, won't
you? 1 have something important tt
tell you"
Mechanically, Rosa obeyed.
''Must leave the room ?" asked tho
Major, in doubt whether to go or stay
'No, my dear friend. want you t.
hear what have to say. know tina
am dying. I don't fear death, Rosa
but would love to live to bless Josial
and the children. But I've abused thi
poor, weak, pain-racked body till it re
fuses to hold my spirit longer. Rosa
by all the ties that have bound US to
gether since you first came to me,
stranger, in destitution and suffering,
charge you to be mother to my chill
dren. Will you accept the trust ?''
"By the great agony of our risen Lord
promise that 1 will" cried the girl
woman, only dimly comprehending th
grave responsibility which, woman
like, she would have accepted had j
been infinitely greater.
"Isn't Josiah coming ?" asked th
dying woman.
81 think he'll be here presently" sal
the Major, kindly. "Drink this col
dial, won't you? It will refresh yor
and sustain you till he comes"
But the effort to drink was futile, an
the patient strangled for several mir
utes.
Rosa called the children in hushe
and warning tone, and soon, all tha
were old enough to realize the situatio
were sobbing around the bed.
Josiah Carson had at last succeeded
towing the looked-for schooner int
port, and had left the "Lighter'' /
charge of Captain Mason while he hui
riedly sought his home; for he had bee
vaguely apprehensive that Abba wouI
need his services in her weakness du
ing his unexpected delay, and now, {
he opened the door of his house and b.
held the sorrowful scene around th
death-bed, the strong man was overcom
with agony that was terrible.
''It's all right, JOSIAH" said his wifi
with peaceful smile. "pIl never sufft
any more. 1 know it. wasn't right f
me to overwork when 1 was v eak. III
afraid it was suicide; that's all tn.
troubles me. Rosa has promised to /
mother to my children, even as W,
mother to-