The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-10-01
CHAPTER XVIII.

Te .ChAfIER AN1l1.- -
Thus importuned, the Major suddenly,
as if recollecting himself, sought to di-
rect the conversation to the scene be-
fore them.
A quiet lake Of living water, covering
many acres, lay nestled at the feet Of an
amphitheater of Uncovered hills, re-
fecting from the placid surface of its
amirror-like bosom the exact images of
its surrounding walls. Upon its edges
grew tangled and yet harmonious
wilderness Of ferns, brakes and grasses,
which seemed, so perfect were the
shadows in the water, to be divided
simply by diverging line above and
below the lakes margin.
: Isn't this perfect, Miss Lee?" queried
the Major, halting the pheton upon the
sidelong surface of the pebbly roadway
that led down to the water.
81 beg pardOn-did you address me ?"
answered Rosa, abstractedIy.
81 did, Miss Lee"
The girI-woman shrank as if in pain.
''Plesse don't Miss Lee me any
more, Major. hate the very thought
of the name.m i -l
'rThen why not change it 2"
The question was natural one, yet
it tstartIed Rosa till tell-tale bushes suf-
fused her cheeks.
"God knows I wish I might" was
the reckless answer; "but see no pros
pect of an opportunity"
The Major eyed her curiously.
She was gazing intently upon the
water, seemingly unconscious of heI
bushes or the feminine hint for 'pro-
posaT which her companion fancied he
had caught. - 81 s.
He was just on the eve of asking an
other question even more direct, which
might have shortened their interview,
or prolonged it, but would in either
case have spoiled this chapter, when a
male elk appeared swimming upon the
water near them, followed by female
and graceful fawn.
"Look," said Rosa, involuntarily
clasping his hand, and then, suddenly
recollecting herself, relinquishing it.
"Don't 1 wish I had a gun W ex.
claimed the Major, as the paternal elk
bounded gracefully up the grassy slope,
and into the thicket beyond, leaving
the mother and her fawn to face the fan
eied danger.
"Why do you wish for ?n asked
his companion, in a disappointed tone
'To get good outlet, to be sure
Why else should want a gun ?"
"Are you suffering for food ?"
The Major laughed.
"You are extremely practical" he
said, dryly.
mo. I was just thinking how much
like all other men you are. Also, how
much like man that father elk is"
"Please explain"
"I mean to say that he's splendid tt
defend the helpless when its perfectly
and personally safe for him to do so
but, upon the approach of disgrace o.
danger, he leaves the weak to bear it
difficulties alone" .s- 5
''Miss Lee, am astonishedw replied
her companion, reproachfully.
''I told you not to call me Miss Lee.
deteSt the name"
''That brings me back to question
asked while ago. Why not chang
itPn
because can't" e
because you don't want to-"
Again he was eyeing her curiously.
"Does she want me to commit my
self?" he thought.
But the girls abstraction forbade tn
long indulgence of any such masculin
vanity.
Eyes," she continued, as if soliloquiz
ing, "that old elk, with the great ant
lers, is just like a man. Let coupl
get into trouble, or let a commo
danger or disgrace menace them, anC
ten to one, the man will flee and leav
the woman to bear the burden alone.
"Again am astonished, Miss Lee.
"Again I say detest that name."
"Why ?''
'pve only a woman's reason-'bt
cause.'" .s.
"You puzzle me-"
pDo I?n ss ...e9
The sad eyes looked up into his wit
a passing gleam of fun in them.
'I like to puzzle men," she saiC
archly.
"Why, Miss -?"
"Don't Miss Lee me again, or sha
get angry" ,-a
''What shall I call you, then ?"
Anything you like"
'Then I'll call you Gussie alway
when we are alone. May II"
The girls heart beat wildly, but 81
made no reply.
II have sister Gussie somewhere
the wide world, unless heaven hi
claimed her." continued the Major. {
have not seen her since she was a W,
mite of thing, not bigger than Mr.
Carson's baby. Ny father died, an
my mother married again. Her bu
band was unkind to me, and ran ava,
I have spent many years in utter lon
illness. would give the world to fir
my sister. 1 sometimes fancy th