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

To none more so than to you and
myself. Besides, yoh'Ee told me that
before --------,--------- --==-----
'In spite OF your ungenerous opinions
of men in general, do wish that you
would trust me, Gussie." II
? Elm whatway ?"E iHE04gfEg
= 'tWhy, tell me all about yourself"
'tMy private history is my own con-
cern; Major. Don't kneeI any longer,
please. Isaw Mrs. Captain Mason peep
ing through her window curtains, just
now, and she'll imagine you are making
love. Be kind enough to help yourself
to chair. Iwould walt upon you, but
baby is so heavy-bless her heart"
''Mrs. Mason is at liberty to form her
own conclusions" replied the Major,
rising and laughing. "If 1 were a mar
rying man, 1 would not want to go fur
lther, especially If, in the bargain, 1
could have the child, also. Do you
know, Gussie, that child somehow
seems to me as though it were part of
you" S----- -
"what do you mean ?,' aud Rosa
blushed Indignantly.
'T beg rpardon,p replied the Major.
''I didn'tS mean TO offend. Isdid mean
that this child gforiffes or crowns you.
You are always beautiful, even when
angry; but the proximity of this lovely
babe exalts you. L can't express the
idea exactly, but know what think. {"
''Do you think ill of me, Major ?''
and the great eyes flashed desperately.
"Think iU of you, Gussie Are you
crazy ? For what should think i'll OF
you, pray !
81 beg your pardon. I-zI-didn't
mean anything. believe yon'guessed
it when you intimated that was crazy,
just now" --fsg91.
It was growing dark, and Rosa could
not longer tarry. E1J
''Ehall we part as friends?" she asked,
rising to her feet, while the perfect fea-
lures of the sleeping child nestled closer
upon her bosom, and its long chestnut
curls fell in great clusters over her
shoulder, making a rarely radiant pic
ture in the uncertain light. ......
"Upon one condition, Gussie," /" replied
the Major, reaching his arms for the
babe. "If you will allow me to carry
your burden to the Cliff, we shall still
be friends. Otherwise, shall feel in
duty bound to feel offended, for it al
ways wounds my sense Of justice to see
a woman staggering under burden
which man can carry without even put
ting his strength to the test"
'I accept the conditions" replied
Rosa, laughing, "but you must admit
that they are rather hazardous; fol
there sits Jonas Ebenezer Seabank
protector of women, and legal heir tC
the property accumulated by Molly, hi.
wife, and he is cycling us very suspi,
ciously." ..-
"Just let him dare to open his chops
about my affairs, and I'U settle him ri
was the cheerful reply, as the sleeping
child was transferred to his bosom
while the deft fingers of the girl-womar
, arrayed her in a scarlet cloak and hooC
with delicate facings of swans down.
Over the road upoa which Alba Car
son ran from the Cliff to Eagle Cove OF
that meyer er4to-be-foEgotteni occasion .
the burning of the "Ocean Gull" th,
! couple walked in silence,
"Oh, that might trust him !" sighet
Rosa Lee. itfT TkEHaazE
"Would to heaven that she woulC
confide in me ~ soliloquized the Major
"but then, 1 know that I have no righ
r to insist upon learning anything abou
her that she does not voIuntaril,
! reveal"
They had wandered through the dec
forest that lay between the Cliff and tn
, Cove, and had assembled to the upland
. in full view of the humble home of tn
: Carsons, before either of them venture,
5 to speak aloud.
D Rosa was first to break the silence.
= ''Do you remember what you told m
once ?"s she asked, abruptly.
'Tve told you a good many things
' Gussie. To what do you allude ?"
? "You said 'if my sister deserved dis
. grace, Pd spurn her as if she were vi
? peri and you further said that ANY in
3 nocent woman could prove herself so.'
4 We'll. what of it, Gussie p,
"Nothing just happened to thin
Q of it."
e "What an oddity you are, to be sure
But then it's the way of all women
1 Here we are, at your home, all too 500
for my happiness. Give my regards {
e the Carsons, and grant me freqnentdh
t terviews, won't you, Gussie ?" resignin
: the child to, her arms, and gallantl
t touching his hat in return for he
: thanks, as.she bowed him sgoOd-byeso
d the doorstep. -aaszss 4 tise
o To be continued