The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-09-24

sons quick retort.
'Do you know, she's even accused of
being the real mother of baby Au-
gustav hissed the girl.
Again Mrs. Carson laughed immoder-
ately.
"Josiah and ! have never found it
necessary to call upon strangers to give
existence to our children" she ex-
claimed; 'but if we should want any
help, don't know where we could go to
do better"
While the village gossip was thus at
its height in every house in sight of the
store, the Major and his companion,
wholly unconscious of it, pursued their
way through the cut in the mountain
toward the valley that lay just beyond
the sight and sound of the ocean break
ers.
~ came near failing in my attempt
to get an hours leisure this afternoon"
said Rosa.
'Indeed how was that ?"
4hC4C ceAO oO many 4uSoJ OuoSOLlCho
to be met in my business, and hate it
so! I sometimes think that half the
women of this world haven't any sense"
The Major smiled.
'Pardon me-" he said, pleasantly,
'but that is a very sweeping announce
ment."
at is not a particle overdone, sir.
The women don't know what they want,
or else they don't have the use of money
to crafty their tastes; so they seek to
throw the responsibility of their whims
upon dealers, instead of their own task
masters, who are generally their hus-
bands, who are supposed to have an
inalienable right to rule over them.
am tired and cross, and my head aches"
The Major leaned over toward her and
looked tenderly into her eyes.
"Poor child" he said, earnestly,
"you're too young and delicate to dc
battle with the world"
'Tt's my fate, and I accept it," replied
the girl, with a shrug. "Pardon me-"
she continued, 81 was in an ugly mood
just now. Don't think I am always
cross, will you?" and she looked ear
nestly into his face, only to receive g
searching, wondering gaze, from which
as if suddenly recollecting herself, she
turned to evade.
"You don't look as if you could be
Uery cross,n was the quick reply of hel
companion. "What is the matter
pray ?"
Nothing. It is over now. Please
forget that L annoyed you with ungra
cious speeches. You can be nothing tt
me. Knowing this, have spoken fool
ishly. Forgive me, will you ?"
Now, Major Lindsey had long prideC
himself upon his hearts impregnablt
Notifications against the arrows o.
Cupid. But, despite himself, he felt
that the citadel was being shaken as he
measured the pretty, petite figure before
him with an artists eye.
"Poor weary feet" he thought. "Hov
difficult is the way of life! How hare
for them to tread its toil-worn paths
alone"
Then, suddenly, as if inspired by {;
new sensation, he said, abruptly:
"Pardon me, but am sorely puzzled
Will you mind giving me an inkling o
your life-history? 1 feel certain tina
you are not what you seem; that yoI
are not fitted by nature for your presen
mode of existence. You need friend
Won't you trust me 9n
1t was well that Major Lindsey didn'
read the longings of that sorely-trieC
heart just then. He would have for
gotten himself if he had.
''Please don't ply me with painful
questions" replied Rosa. ~ am no
| what L seem, and have good reason
for being forgotten by those who one
knew me. Don't think i'll of me, please
am unspotted before God, and shal
be, some day.. before the world. JUS
, now am under a cloud"
AS if the young creatures words wer
: indeed portentious in their import,
) black cloud overshadowed them and hi
: the full, round, harvest moon.
r ~ am under the cloud, too, Miss Lee,
said the Major, restraining himself witt
| difficulty.
t Rosa made no reply, but sat very still
with her face averted.
In moment the floating clou
passed over, and flood of briIliance en-
veloped them, lighting up the landscap
around, and the silvery lake ahead c
, them, with a silvery sheen of fglory.
2 "We're out of the shadows together
5 now," remarked the Major, speakin
huskily. 'AIay 1 not look upon thi
! breaking light that sheds its glory upo
us both as a sure harbinger of a mutual
: ly happy future?"
~ do not, can not understand you,
/ cried the girl, desperately. "Don't tail
so, please"
ITO be continued