The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-11-26
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
Major Lindsey became frequent Wis
ltor at the Cliff, although Rosa Lee was
painfully shy of him, and lived in con-
slant dread lest he should discover her
secret; for that she had secret of grave
and important character which she was
guarding vigilantly, had long been evil
dent. Often be essayed to urge her to
reveal her sorrows to him, for he knew
that she might safely trust him, but
the memory of two occasions upon
which he had made such advances
merely to be refused, restrained him.
But Rosa was very fond Of his visits,
though her household toll rarely ad-
mitted Of her appearing in respectable
plight. Poor girl. Brought up in lux
ury as she had been, and of course un-
fitted for the drudging, csrking cares of
a family, where all the heaviest burdens
fall upon the silent partner of the firm,
she found her task a terrible one; one,
indeed, from which a woman less consci-
entious and less grateful would have
skulked entirely away.
It was a dull, dreary Sabbath after
noon. Josiah Carson, who, since the
death of his wife, had been excessively
taciturn, and even ill-tempered at times,
sat moodily beside the fire, while the
children walked on tip-toe lest they
might disturb him, and Rosa took es-
pecial pains to quiet the wailing baby,
who refused to be comforted because
the heritage of healthy constitution
had been denied it, and its very exist
eDce was pain.
Baby Marcia ran from the front room
into the kitchen, to apprise Rosa of a
visit from the Major.
TELL him to come in here, }" said Rosa.
81 cannot leave the dinner, and the
baby is cross"
'HOw goes the battle ?" asked the
Major, cheerily, as he obeyed the sum-
mons.
''You may well say 'battle,'" was the
sad reply. "a woman's sphere is con-
tinual warfare against dirt and discom-
fort of every description"
"Give me the baby to hold, please"
Rosa laid the wailing bundle in his
arms, and laughed to see how awkward
he was.
"Why don't you put this youngster
into the custody of its father ?" he said,
tossing it upon his knees to the immi-
nent danger of its spine.
Because he doesn't offer to take it,"
said Rosa. "Mr. Carson always de-
pended on his wife for everything; or,
at least, he always worked with her CO.
operation, and now that she is gone, he
seems like the odd half of pair of
shears"
"Do you know what 1 heard down
town, Gussie ?'
'Some precious bit of scandal, [ sup
pose."
''Guess again, Gussie."
''That Jonas Ebenezer Seabank is
hunting another wife"
The Major laughed. "You seem to
know all about it" said he.
"Of course 1 ought to know. Give
me the baby, or you'll break its back.
Poor little waif."
az did my best" replied the Major,
coloring, as he relinquished the child,
which, as though conscious of an agree
able change, grew quiet upon her bosom.
"You were speaking of old Seabank, y
ha IL
about him ?n
Nothing, only" and Rosa could
scarcely proceed for laughing, "he's got
= new suit of clothes, and he's been
shaved and trimmed, and had his boots
blacked-"
"And has been here accounting" in
terrupted her friend.
81 didn't say So" replied Rosa, de-
murely.
'YOu might as well admit it,n said
the Major. "He asked my advice before
he came to call upon you"
"And you told him to come. Oh,
Major! didn't think it of youT'
''That's because you don't know me
yet. 1 thought 1T would be q splendid
chance for you to get more than even on
old scores. You well know his opinion
Of you year ago. And now that he
wants you for wife-it's too funny 70,
anything"
81 can't see where the fun comes in, ~
pouted Rosa. "The old bIoekhead onIy
wants a servant to whom he won't be-
compelled to pay any wages. What be
came fooling around me for is more thar
can imagine, unless his vanity led hin
to believe that should be proud Of the
proffered honor. UghW
"You didn't discourage his suit ?n
"Oh, no-why should I?"
"That's what 1 was thinking"
Nov, Major, do be serious. If L haC
been your sister, bona tide, do you thinI
you would have thought it a good jok,
TO have sent him up here with a matri
monial proposition ?"
Rosa was grave and dignified now
The Major blushed.
81 beg your pardon, Gussie. reall,
didn't mean to offend you"