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


closely to his side and whispered:
-"Safe, thank heaven"
''Yes, safe at last No more whip
pings are in store for you, my precious,
precious pet. God sent you to me, and
you are to be mine, and mine only, so
long as we shall live"
"But I am only a child, Gerald. l
must wait three years before shall be
of lawful age, you know"
''NOt necessarily"
"Yes; necessarily. am an ignorant
peasant girl, and you are wise and edu-
Gated, and gentleman. must return
to my father, and Try to make myself
worthy Of you"
"And do you think that can live
without you, sweet ?" he asked, holding
me yet closer to his heart, while / felt
more and more keenly the impossibility
Of tearing myself away from his en-
brace by my own unaided will.
ave are nearing the ship now, dar-
ling" he said, at last, releasing me
with another kiss and a respectful
bow. 81 must leave you alone for a
minute till we fetch up alongside, and
then I'll return and assist you to mount
the ladder. Never fear that l shall fail
to protect my own afiianced little wife"
That admonition was superfluous. !
loved and trusted him, even as l loved
and trusted God.
The ship was in the service Of the
British revenue, and was destined for
an Australian port. 1t was long and
narrow, full-rigged vessel, in perfect
order, and manned by skillful seamen.
'ShOw this young lady to the cabin,
and take care Of her till I come" said
my captor, in an authoritative tone,
addressing a colored stewardess, who
stood deferentially in his presence while
taking the order, aud tossed her head
spitefully when his back was turned.
She led me into a little box Of
cabin, where two missionaries, bound
for New Zealand, sat smoking cheroots
on a sofa.
I must have looked exceedingly awk-
wark, and know I felt extremely out
OF place. Ny bare, untidy feet were big
and ungainly, my homemade dress was
scant and not over clean, my sun-bon-
net was awry, and my hair disheveled.
"Here's a waif the Cap'n's picked up
asho' an brought TO- me to care TO-,
though whar We'll evah put the mite is
mo- n I known said the stewaIdess,
thrusting me into the cabin and retreat
ing as hastily as she had come.
The cabin was filed with smoke, and
was getting sea-sick. I began to
wish, in spite of my Divine appoint
ment, that was safe at home. Indeed,
would have gladly taken an extra
whipping to have been ashore just then.
"The stewardess needn't fret" I said,
petulantly, "for Pm going to return as
soon as Mr.. Grey gets through inspect
ing the vessel"
81 guess you'll hardly return till after
you've visited Australia, for we've
weighed anchor already" said one Of
the gentlemen, offering me seat upon
the sofa, and placing conveniences for
approaching sea-siekness within my
reach.
For long time I was so thoroughly
occupied with my own misery that
had little opportunity for reflection. I
could hear ladies' voices in an adjoining
state-room, and learned that the mis-
sionaries had their wives with them,
but ! did not see my captor, and my
mind was sometimes filed with strange
conjectures aud dismal forebodings con-
cerning him. Had he gone ashore and
left me? or was he master of the vessel ?
But anon these reflections would be cut
short by the rebellious retching of my
sea-siek stomach, and 1 would forget
everything but the heaving vessel and
my own raeked body.
"The master says he'll be down pres
emily" said the stewardess, entering
the cabin with bowl of chicken soup,
and bidding me eat, as a remedy for my
disorder. "He's very busy at the helm,
for there's a storm brewin', but he sends
his specs"
With this she left me to my refec-
tions and my soup, but cannot endure
the odor OF chicken broth to this day;
and, as for refiections-I wish could
forget to reflect. And yet my life has
not been all unhappiness, as you shall
see If you follow me through this narra-
tive.
All night long tossed upon that sofa,
not knowing or caring whether I was to
live or die. The two ladies kept their
state-rooms, and I knew from their
groans, as well as those of the poor gen.
tlemen, their husbands, that 1 was not
the only sufferer.
Morning came at last, and the storm
had lulled, though the sea still ran
high, aud the vessel rolled heavily.
A porter put the disordered cabin to
rights and then the stewardess entered.
gearing warm water and soap and tow
els aud was treated to a vigorops
sponge bath, almost the first since my
recollection began. Then she proceeded
to array me in complete underclo,bin,
rich aud new. After this She a.,
white stockings upon my feet and en-
cssed them in delicate slippers.
"Am in fairy land ?'
1t was strange that I was not more
curious or anxious. did not ask an
I audible question.