The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-04-28


their solemn compact, suddenly ad-
dressed her; chow your startled me
You vault over an eight-rail fence as
though it were not in your way in the
least. Did you have anything to say to
me?"
81 couldn't.let you depart in this way
without proffering assistance, madam.
Excuse me; do not wish to be imper-
tinent. Have you any money!"
"How should 1 have any money ?"
asked Madge, flushing with an indigua-
ton that was plainly revealed in the
moonbeams. "rve toiled on the farm
almost from my infancy, without any
reward. l have nothing under the sun
that I can call my own, except my
honor, and my legal master now claims
even that as his property. Money, in
deed ~
"But, my dear madam, how do you
expect to get along among strangers
without money ?"
81 don't know"
| w 6ll3 gOu CdluOI uO H.
az must"
81 object, as your particular friend has
a right to do"
"Your objecting will avail me moth
ing, Mr.. Morrison. You cannot aid me
now."
"How do you know 1 can't, madam"
"You said you were impecunious
yourself, SIR"
$50 1 am, madam. Silver and gold
have none, but such as have give I
thee. You see this ring ?" taking from
an innermOst pocket a beautiful soli-
taire, set round with pearls, embedded
in a masonry of rubies. 'I bought it
for a wedding ring. INTENDED it for hery"
flashing the jewel in the moonlight, as
he twirled it in his fingers. "I never
intended to part with it. 1 meant to
keep it as a memento of the fickleness
of woman. But 1 have changed my
mind. You must take il. Don't part
with it unless sickness or actual want
compels you to pledge it somewhere for
money. Then redeem it again, if pos
sible."
"But, Mr.. Morrison"
'No, no don't thank me, and don't
refuse it. You'll break our compact if
you do. was a stranger, and you took
me in; was hungry, and you fed me.
This is all the recompense have now
to offer you. Don't wrong me by refus-
ing, beseech you"
Thanks, Mr.. Morrison. will ac-
cept the ring, but not as present. You
may lend it to me-"
"Tm only sorry can't assist you
further, madam"
"You can, sir"
"How?"
''By allowing me to write to you.
feel that I can confide in you. I shall
want to keep my whereabouts concealed
from Hanson till he gets divorce on a
plea of desertion. But 1 shall want my
mother to hear from me from time tC
time, and you must be the medium oi
communication. In short, want you
to be my post office"
"You'll write to me in reply, then ~
ayes, sir. And keep silent"
'But where do you intend to go to-
night ?"
''I have an abiding place in the hear
, of the wilderness. Got any matches p
a EYES," delving again into the deep re-
cesses of his mysterious pockets, while
Madge hid her precious ring in the fold!
q of her dress, and fastened it securely
with pin; "you never catch a mar
: away from home without matches
q But you surely don't intend to stay il
o the woods all night ?"
> "Where else in creation should 1 stay
u If my lawful master should find me
a he'd claim his property and carry m
s away. My mothers master will no
e harbor me, and I am fleeing for con
d science sake. And now, goodbye
Pll write to you when I get settled.
= cannot write to mother, for Jason woul
t. know all about it, and he can't keep hi
,r tongue about anything"
,e Goodbye, little Madge. I wis
,e there was Canada for both you an
a your mother to fee to-"
I 'If wishes were horses, the beggal
ID might ride. Goodbye, sir. Don't see
ID to avenge yourself on George"
IA Madge turned abruptly, and was 10.
IL to sight among the trees. She was 6
fleet Of foot as she was strong of nery
and limb, and it was not long till sh
was safely hid away in the cabin in tt
!, forest, with a fire glowing upon tt
hearth, near which she made herself
bed of fern, upon which, despite b,
troubles, she slept peacefully till morl
lie ing.
a With the earliest dawn came I'll
se knowledge that she was penniless ar
y would soon be hungry. Pheasants we
I'd drumming In the woods hard by, and
lg flock Of young ones were unmistakab
n. near. Madge was seized with a ne
p, idea. Remembering hook and line
I'D her bundle, she brought it forth, ar
IN with bait she had prepared for fis