The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-07-14
VOLUME ".

her mother, in alarm.
Nothing"
But it was something. In a little
while the house was in confusion.
Harry was dispatched for Mrs. Perkins,
tne children, except the two babies,
were sent to a neighbours, and, when
morning came, Madge lay upon a bed
of exhaustion, and Mrs. Andrews was
carrying about wee, wee infant. The
trials of the past week bad brought on
premature confinement, and Mrs. An
drews was in great fear lest the life of
her daughter should pay the forfeit of
the great effort which she had stung
her, by her own reproaches, into max
ing to save the life of her unfortunate
step-father.
But "die" was not to be found in
Madge's vocabulary. "Don't make a
sick simpleton of me by doctoring me
up on slops and panada. Give me my
usual food, and, as far as possible, my
daily habits, and I'll soon be all right" ,"
she said. "Ive earned a months res
pite from labor, and mean to enjoy it,
but I'll put up with no sick folks
treatme nt."
Jason Andrews knew that Madge had
rescued him from the very jaws Of
death, and his gratitude was touching.
Her slightest wish was obeyed in every
thing.
She was glad indeed to lay aside for q
season the one tattered dress iu her pos
session and assume the snowy garb of al
invalid, which Sara Perkins kindly
loaned her.
Sara was her ministering spirit. The
heavy, glossy, raven hair, which had
been ruthlessly sacrificed to her neces-
stiles by the remOrseless shears in the
days when she had gone to toll in 8
Portland hotel as Tommy, the waiter
boy" had made rapid progress il
growth, and now only needed the care,
full training which her friend was ready
TO bestow to train it to curl beautifully
But, while her attendants were at,
tempting to improve her personal ap
pearance, her thoughts were centereC
upon the wee waif of human life tina
had been thrust, unbidden, into he
keeping by the protecting and sustain
ing powers of a free country.
Very tenderly did Madge love anC
guard her baby. The new light o
motherhood that beamed in her eyes
and the expression of peace that shon'
in her tired face were passing beau
tiful. And, as she lay upon the clean
white bed, her pale face resting upoI
snowy pillows, and the borrowed
wrapper, with its Intricate fret-work o
delicate embroidery falling in ruffie
around her wrists and upon her bosom
she looked very Hebe, instead of ou
homely heroine.
"After all, it's fine feathers tha
make fine birds, Madge," said Alice
~ wonder if you imagine how hand
some you are"
"Bring me a mirror, please" wa
Madge's answer. 'I always longed t
be handsome, and it's encouraging t
hear that there's prospect of realizing
the wish, if only for a moment"
Exacting as she was about anythin
concerning herself, the child-mothe
could not but be delighted with th
picture revealed by the little mirror.
81 thank God that, through all M
trials, the crowning glory of mother
hood has come to bless and beautif
me-" she said, while a radiant smile Il
up her irregular features, and reveale
her beautiful teeth, that rivaled tn
snow for whiteness. "Then my we
baby's mine-all mine," she continued
, ''and she shall learn to love me, even a
love her. / shall be to her bot
father and mother. Sara, what do yo
think George would say if he could Sc
her? Her eyes will be blue, and he
hair golden. Don't you think She
resemble him ?"
80, Madge! don't! I can't bes
, it !" sobbed the poor girl, as her littl
boy, with the same blue eyes an
golden hair, came up and climbed upo
her knee.
80, Sara, darling, pray forgive me
1 didn't mean to pain you. Indeed
didn't. You love George Hanson, an
he loves you. kao1U he does.
haven't any claims upon him, and
would to God that he had no claim
, upon me or my baby. Do you know
Sara, that I'd give the world to-day,
, it were at my disposal, if were the so
owner of myself and child, as you are
"And I would give a million dolIa
to be George Hanson's loved and wedde
wife ~ was the wailing reply.
Madge laid her hand lovingly upo
her friends forehead, as her bowed hel
: lay beside hers on the pillow.
"Some day, when George Hansc
shall have seen the error of his way
: and reaped the bitter fruit of his wron
doing, as he surely must, either in tn
world or the next, Sara-for the law
:. retribution is an unfailing one, thoug
: we may not always understand
workings-he will come back to yo
acknowledging and reciprocating yor
fealty."
80, Madge, do you think it pc
e sible ?'