The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-02-23

he ought to have guardian"
But Edna's remonstrance came too
late. The money was in Johns posses
sion and he was gone.
''I have wanted little talk with you
alone for several days, Edna" said
Aunt Judy, apologetically. ~ have
wanted opportunity to tell you that you
are right" and the good woman fidgeted
uneasily. "I have learned all about the
Stranger He and are engaged"
"WeIl, auntie, congratulate you,
but do not think your age has made
you any more careful than my youth
caused me to be in matrimonial matters.
One thing is very clear to me, and that
is, if 1 were out of this ENHANCEMENT,
I'd stay out"
"Till you got another chance to try
again! That's the way with women,"
was the decisive rejoinder.
"Aunt Judy, you have not even
learned the Strangers name"
"How came you to know so much,
child ?"
HE never would tell, you know"
"Have you heard all the conversa-
tions that have passed between us"
mo, auntie; and l shouldn't want to,
when the theme is of the very interest
ing nature that you have hinted."
edna, dear, 1 have long story to
tell you, which, until now, have kept
securely locked within my own bosom.
Do you want to hear it ?"
Edna was afraid to betray her interest,
lest silence should again veil the good
woman's lips.
81 have always thought you would
tell me in your own good time, auntie,
and so 1 could afford to watt" she re-
piled, bending low over the new baby
and cooling it to sleep with a gentle lul-
laby.
"I was a belle, and considered a
beauty" said Aunt Judy, pausing to
adjust her waving hair beneath cap
frill, which she eontrived to keep dain-
tily white, in spite of her smoky and
disagreeable surroundings. az had no
such opportunities for education as your
young life afforded, Edna, and grew up
among slaves, with every want and
whim anticipated, and was, as a matter
of course, spoiled child. My mother
was fully imbued with all the old con-
servative ideas about a woman's sphere,
and, though know she found life some
times very distasteful and oppressive,
for she had an active brain and ambi-
tious disposition, yet she so fully ad-
hered to the chivalric notions that
slavery fosters on the one hand, and
military rule engenders on the other,
(my father was a military hero), that
she would have suffered the martyrdom
of death, and inundated US all upon the
altar of social custom, rather than have
foregone her pet proprieties. L think
never was any comfort to my lady
mother. Twas always breaking through
and over some customary restriction.
1t was custom, time-honored and SEN
sible, to prevent young ladies from COM
ing out until they had completed theiI
o eighteenth year. Doubtless this rule
would have been satisfactory enough fol
me if had had anything to occupy my
hands or mind. But Satan finds some
mischief still for idle hands to do.
There was a fine-looking young gentle.
man, a son of an aristocratic family
who lived on a plantation few miles
from my fathers home, who used ire,
: quently to meet me in my rambles il
the woods. We had many pleasant
chats together. I am sure the thought
of the improperly of our meetingl
never entered my brain, else 1 shoulC
not have INDUCED in them. His society
was heaven itself. We would builC
3 such air castles as nobody but foolisl
!. young lovers can build, and the though
that they would ever topple and com,
down with crash did not once oppres
us. We were engaged. A beautiful
L sunset closed its eyes upon the scene o
our betrothal. 1 was to be eighteen il
another month, and, as 1 should thel
be free-what an idea to make girl O
eighteen her own legal mistress, while
boy must wait till he is twenty-one-w
& were to elope, for we knew our parent
6 would not consent to our marriage. /
& did not enter into my heart to doub
u him. l made my preparations stealth
e lily, and when left my fathers roof 70
u the last time, to cast my fortunes in tn
7 lottery of matrimony, reached tn
d place of rendezvous and found, instea
'r of my worshiped ideal, black boy wit
e. letter.
a "'Massa says you will please excus
. him, Miss. De letter will explain b
u said, and then he disappeared in tn
'e darkness.
T. 81 have the letter yet" said Aun
le Judy, as she tremblingly opened littl
IL package and took theretrom an enve
81 ope, inside of which was letter, rust
le and worn, upon which were traced, in
le boyish hand, the following lines:
"Too late. The governor knows all, and h,
i spirited me away to West Point. My heart
lie breaking, but never mind. You'll find som
Y, body else to take my place in your affection
n soon, for girls are never constant. I sha
g,,1