The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-02-08

CHAPTER II.
I sprang up IN sudden and sincere
alarm. Ny knowledge Of the world was
exceedingly limited, yet bad sufficient
common sense to realize the awkward
ness and, in part, the peril OF my posi-
tion.
"Where are We going ?D I asked, my
voice and face alike betraying my terror.
My captor smiled, and gazed earnestly
into my eyes.
"Don't be frightened, little one.
I am going aboard yonder vessel to in
spect her machinery, and it will be a
nice bit Of new experience for you to
take look also"
With this he drew parchment from
the depths Of a cavernous pocket and
exhibited his commission, counter
signed by Her Majesty, proclaiming
him an official inspector Of government
ships.
"But I want to go home ~ cried /, by
no means reconciled to the novel and
embarrassing situation. "What will
my father say when he knows Of this ?''
ut will be all right, I assure you, lit
tie Miss. When We return, will en-
gage to satisfactorily apologize for you.
Now, little one, be 50 good as 10 forget
all about your home, and everything
connected with the Bothwick estates,
and turn your attention for the nonce
20 the pleasures Of this adventure. Do
you know, think this meeting must
have been ordained of heaven"
Gerald Grey had struck the right
chord now. I was nothing if not relig-
ious. Like my mother, laid my own
plans for Omnipotence, and then IN
consciously working to them, generally
satisfied myself that whatever most
desired was in accordance with the Di-
vine decree, provided I could compass it.
In my soul 1 believed this singular
meeting was ordained of God, and this
feeling, whether founded upon fast or
fancy, was the occasion Of a sudden and
all-absorbing trust in my present lot. It
was as though hitherto unseen world
had suddenly and unexpectedly opened
before me, showing, as I had never
dreamed or hoped TO see, a boundless
vista Of dimly anticipated opportunity.
I was filled with inefiable happiness.
Never have I seen so perfect a day,
before or since. The little boat rocked
like a royal cradle, and breasted the bill
lows like a mammoth swan. Now we
were out of the crooked, narrow tidal
river, that lay like loops Of raveled
fancy knitting yarn in a careless tangle
on the green carpet of the heather-bor-
dered lawn. Now we sailed out on the
bosom Of the billows, our boat gliding
sometimes like a sleeping gull, and
again bounding down through the
broken surges like a fsh-hawk darling
for its prey.
Long as had lived in sight of the
ocean, had never ridden upon its sur
face before. Irested my knees upon the
settle 10 the little cabin, and my elbows
upon the tiny window sill, and gazed
away, away, over the receding land
scape. believe 1 was enchanted. I
have told you before that I never saw a
day so perfect. The distant line Of pur-
pie bills, which, as / have said, were
picked to a point here and there in
patches, bounded the horizon like a
scalloped edge Of mammoth needle
work. The turrets Of Bothwick castle
peeped like pointed obelisks from the
heart Of the forest behind which the
building itself lay hidden. 1 could not
see the mOat, nor the ruins OF the an
eient draw bridge; but I could discern,
by the aid Of my captor's spy glass, the
clear outline Of my fathers humble
home, and the cemetery where my
mothers form was laid for mouldering.
"Father is looking for me, Mr. Grey
Pm sure he is, and / know / shall be Sc
verely whipped when return" I said,
trembling with agitation.
And well ! might tremble, for the
imprints Of the last paternal chastise-
ment were plainly visible upon my
wrists aud ankles.
"Surely your father doesn't ,chiD
you " replied my captor, sternly.
"Seeu
I exposed the marks Of the crueI rod
ais it possible2n
81 ought 10 be used to il nv ,bis,i,.
7 supposei but, somehow, every ti,e
get whipped get doubly wicked. and !
fear that 1 shall kill my father som,
day"
"Never mind, little one. You're saf
enough from whippings now. ! wan
you to be very happy"
81 am happy"
"Do you trust me, Ethel ?"
How the name, the tone and the man
ner Of my gentle captor thrilled me
My mothers voice, and every tende
memory Of her hard, unappreeiated lif
passed before me in a mental panorama
"Ges, Gerald; trust you, becaus
God sent you"
He took me in his arms aud held M
close for an instant, and then kissed m
ardently, over and over again.
had no power to resist the strang