The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-07-06


gotten that be ever had a conscience, or,
remembering, failed to give its gentle
admonitiOns heed.
Since the day when King and Martha
had unexpectedly met at a neighbor's
and exchanged the fitting VOWS of con-
stancy, they had been so closely watched
that further interchange of words had
been impossible. Day after day had the
young couple watched and waited, hop
ing that some lucky chance would favor
them with opportunity for another
sweet, stolen interview; but they waited
in vain, and the happiness that buoyed
their spirits sank to zero when the wag-
ons were drawn up in line, and wait
ing at the door, gave everybody for
whom the maiden cared nothing ample
time to exchange good-byes, while the
one dearer than all others was compelled
by parental mandate to hold himself
aloof.
"Gus, do you think you could manage
to circumvent the Major and carry a
note for me once more ?" said Martha.
The youngster was ready to act in an
instant. There is nothing a boy likes so
much as a chance to slyly circumvent
the parent or teacher who has whipped
him, and Gus had just been whipped.
The weather was balmy now, and
Martha sought her empty and cherries
room and addressed her lover with few
farewell words of love, reminder, and
hope.
az trust you and will wait" she said.
"In a few years 1 will be of age. If you
love me, drop me line. 1 haven't so
much as a scratch of your pen to look
at. I enclose a lock of my hair. Please
return the compliment. No matter
wherever 1 go you shall forever be the
King for Martha"
Kingston Greensborough was over
come with a sorrowing joy. He was
happy because Martha remembered him
and was not afraid or ashamed to admit
her love; and he was sad because of the
prospective separation that seemed to
loom before him like the sea of infini-
tude.
"The ole man licked me like blazes
for splitting an OK bow this morning,
and there'lI be thunder to pay if he finds
I've been here, for he'll suspect Pm car
rying messages, and won't miss it much,
1 reckon" said Gus, whom King had
noticed since the delivery of the
note, so occupied had he been with the
thought of Martha, whom he felt that
he would gladly die to win.
"Ah, Gus, yes; forgot. Wait a
minute. I want to send a reply" he
said, hurriedly snatching a pen and
scribbling few passionate words of en-
dearment, after the gushing fashion in
which be would have spoken had he had
a stolen and equally hurried opportu-
nifty.
Mollie Mcconnell was Martha's rival.
At least, she wanted to be. She was a
black-eyed girl with a sharp nose, saucy
chin and witching dimples, and was as
full of intrigue as Martha was of frank
ness.
Mollie saw Gus enter the lawyers Of
fee, and she suspected the errand on
which he had gone.
'I won't wait for King to write an
answer. pll call Gus, and tell him his
daddy wants him. The old man'll
spank him like Satan if he takes note
to Mat r' she soliloqized, as she ran over
to the Office and called for Gus, bidding
him hurry home and save himself an
other whipping.
Gus Obeyed, for he was in mortaldread
of his fathers whip. King was sorely
disappointed. The wagons were just on
the eve of falling into the line of march.
He would have marched to the front
and "talked it Out' with Martha, but
for the fear that her father would mis-
trust her in consequence.
Mollie Mcconnell OWNED the situa-
tion.
"Don't you want to send a message to
Martha before the old man takes her
beyond your reach entirely?" she asked,
with tone of kindly interest.
Honest King Greensborough did not
hesitate to say that he would be pleased
to communicate with Martha if the op-
portunity could be given.
'I'll carry her note" said Mollie.
"NobOdy'll ever suspect me. It's moth
ing more than right that you should
give her some farewell token.D
The tears came in Kings eyes, and
his voice was husky with emotion.
"Will you cut lock of hair from my
temple and carry it to her in this note?''
he asked, eagerly.
"With pleasure" Mr.. Greensborough
was the artful reply.
Pity he could not have noticed the
flash in her eyes as she severed the lock
from his brow.
my precious and dearest, we aUiL
trust and watt" he wrote. "Many
thanks for your precious gift. 1t will
cheer my lonely hours till we meet
again, which, heaven grant, shall hap.
pen as soon as you are of age. My life
my love, farewell, farewell"
That was all. He had no time to ado
another word. The train of wagons wa,
u 4.