The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-11-05
CHAPTER XXI.


of Lady Dunbarton, they might have
been spared much future misery. But
alas they could not hear, and all un-
conscious of what was trsnspiring a few
huRdred miles from their home in Eagle
Cove, the Major planned and Rosa
plodded, each learning many life les
sons that, doubtless, both badly needed,
and each growing more deeply and un-
accountably interested in the other,
often puzzling their brains to know the
reason why.
A new baby was now added to the al
ready full regiment in Abba Carson's
household, and Rosa Lee, to relieve the
little woman of part Of her cares, took
baby Augusta to the store to spend her
days, returning with her to their home
In the evenings; so the two became al
most inseparable. ,--a~--
Late one afternoon, after an unusually
busy day in the store, when the girl
woman was well tired out with the toll
as well as the fashion chit-ehat Of set
ofignorant border rustics, Of whose taste
it can only be said that it was striking
and loud and execrable, Rosa sat upon
low rockfng-chair thinking wearlly of
the past, and singing a soft lullaby to
the sleeping child, who lay clasped to
her bosom, the clear, olive tint Of the
little ones complexion making beau
tiful picture against the soft, crimson
folds of her merino dress; for the autumn
days had come, and warm, deep colors
had taken the place of the somber black
which she. had worn for twelvemonth,
and the flush they impaired to her hand
some face enhanced her beauty won
derfully. --..- ...,
Major Lindsey stood dumb in the
doorway, and Rosa. kept on singing,
unconscious Of any other listener than
the half-dozing babe.
i'.zxeaEy and tore is your wounded dove,
mother;
Gladly she'd fee TO your dove cote TO rest:
None other can cure her sad heart-broke for
love; mother;
Come back, while pillow my head on your
L7- breast" 1sz i-A 7if-e tSS F-'@1A-1
Advancing, the Major knelt by her
side, and suddenly finding utteranee for
his thoughts, said earnestly,
at'Will you not allow me to be your
brother, Gussie ?"
"Every instinct of my soul says yes,
Major, ebut LIDO mot approve of these
ideal, platonic, relations,p she replied
coloring, ,.... ."IWo1ld to God. you sOene my
brother indeed; then I might possibly
have friend who would aid me in any
and all emergencies" !"
''You can trust me as entirely az
though you were my sister in consan-
guinity, GussieYTT Q z
How the girls heart dcIted for some
protecting, manly, friendly bosom upon
which to reeline and rest; some sympa.
thetic ear into which she might poul
her Hist of grievances; Some willing
heart and hand to shield her from the
rude blasts of desolation, none know
except they too have had sore trials.
81 had brother, darling boy, who
would have stood by me always, but tht
ocean swallowed him. and, when com
PEELED to relinquish his body, sent hi
spirit to the skies; so he is mine n,
more, Major. You know where the,
buried him. Here is baby Augusta
who will love me till she knows all
and here you are, proffering to be ny
brother, yet when you come to know
me well, you will cast me of, although
before God, I am innocent of everything
but being rescued from that burnin,
wreck. How I wish that Mrs. Carson
had left me in the ocean to dep
"You are morbid, Gussie. Your lif
was spared thahyour last days might b
your best ones. There.is honor, happi
ness, fame before you, If you will bu
persevefe.nn 80 iaa iH.
And how am I to persevere 2 Ihav
no taste for this business. 1 detes
everything connected with it. School
teaching Imight have engaged in a
wages that would bring me bare subsist
ence, only there is always some man il
need Of'a position at Eagle Cove, VIII
crowds the women out. Housework
have not strength for; cierkship il
your office could not take unless
were your real siste5 and then yor
would say, 'Oh, no, Gussie; I can TAX
care ofyeu.l The'work fsn't suitable 70
9. .ladys,'le VI e. sid zsissallays sSil. so
The Major blushed n and locke
ashamed. The girl-woman was right
HeEwohld mot have Offered her th
clerkship il she hadvbeen his reaIsistel
for his pride would have been an unsul
mountable obstacle with the social view
he held.
sMan's eptire ideas concerning. won
ans sphere are wrong" she continued
"If she is in any way his Iegitfmat
property, he is willing to provide fo
and protect her according to his own in
elination Or Judgment, 50 long as sh
obeys and pleases him, But let asper
sions be cast upon her which she canne
disprove; let personal mislortupe beta
her etdisgraces reakoF oFimaginary 9oEei
take nesrz Tsssai arsss3 'sss.ess 7'iisvss'Ei
NStepS Gussiel 1'really feel tha { z d
not deserve this bitterness from you.vl
Forgive me, Major, II I do seem hi