The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-01-29

look him in the face, knowing the
power he had to crush him. John is
proud"
ale might, at least, have written to
me-"
"Doubtless he has"
"Then why have 1 not had the
letters ?''
"God forbid that should judge any
body unjustly but I can't forget that
young Hardpan is denuty postmaster
and was your suitor He's "a chip Of the
old block-will do anything for money,
and has no conscience. He's as sly as a
fox, and as keen Of scent as grey
hound. Any letter from John 10 you
would necessarily pass through his
hands. Do you think you'd ever get ii ~
"Strange that did not think Of this
before. How I wish I might have seen
you long ago. Il would have saved me
a world Of suffering"
"Why didn't you come and see me ?"
81 was afraid Of being repulsed You
know how you acted at first when
came in to-day"
ayes, know, and I'm ashamed Of IT,
VIII you forgive me, my daughter ?'
"With all my heart, on one con-
dition."
"Wen ?"
"A1ay l call you mother hereafter,
whenever we are alone ?"
"God bless you Yes"
"Aud will you let me love You as
love my own dear stricken mother ?''
Certainly, my child; aud will
gladly return your love as only such a
mother Of such daughter can"
Lie clasped her hands reverently,
and bowed her head low over Mrs.
Ingieton's knees.
"God. I thank Thee - she said, fer
vently. "Now I hope to find oppor-
tunity to atone in the coming years for
my fathers greed"
"Amen :" CALCULATED Mrs. Ingleton.
"And may the God Of all Grace be with
you in every trial, and guard you from
every sore temptation. May His loving
kindness guide your future footsteps
yours aud John's-aDd, IN the fullness
Of His own good time, may you meet
again, chastened by suffering, elevated
by endurance, and made wise by ex-
perience."
Lie lifted her eyes 20 Mrs Ingleton's
face. Il was shining like the face Of an
angel.
"Amen, and amen 90 she said, softly.
Mrs. Ingleton beut low and kissed her
on the forehead. Lie answered with
a mute pressure of the matron's hands.
The sun suddenly burst through a roll
/ ing cloud, aud darted a single ray
through a crevice in the batten door,
and played at hide aud seek amid the
girls shining curls.
'This is holy ground" said Mrs. Iu-
gleton.
"The sun has sealed our compact with
a holy kiss" added LIE, smiling
through unshed tears. "And now, as /
must soon be going homeward, will
begin to talk business. What are your
future prospects ?'
"Ab, dear child we haven't any"
"Where's Squire Iugleton 2'
"Od, mOpiug round somewhere.
Poor man he's had enough to unsettle
him"
"You don't mean that he's out OF his
mind?"
"No. not that, exactly but he's all
broken down doesn't seem 10 have a
particle OF spirit. haven't the re-
motest idea where our future living's to
come from. He did have some idea Of
applying for the post Office. Chincapin's
a growing place, aud the new railroad
interests 10 make business lively. But
there's nobody that dares to go against
the Hsrdpans-they have so much
money. AHd Sam holds the place as
deputy. Irs all he's ft for"
"What would have to be done 10 Sc
cure the place for Squire Ingleton?'
Somebody would have to start a Pc
tition aud circulate it, asking the Gov
ernment to remove the present post
master and appoint the Squire. I,
would take nerve to do Il, but I've No
doubt it would be easy enough to get a
majority to sign IN his favor"
"Pll circulate the petition myself, anC
head it with my own signature"
Mrs. Ingleton smiled.
"IOu might circulate the paper
child. don't know anything to hinder
that, but your signature wouldn'r
amount to anything among voters, see.
ing you're only a girl"
'Lizs was accustomed to FIRE up will
indignation over this style of negativ,
reproach FOR her feminiuity, but she wa,
p in no mood to combat it now.
"Then, If 1 can't sign the petition, II
: content myself with circulating it, an,
5 the very first signature upon it shall b
that Of my brother, John Hardine,
she said, cheerfully.
, "Do you think he would sign Il ?"
"Of course he would. Dear mother
I hope you do not judge Us all by N.
D father, or his partner, jeremiah Hard
I pan. Johns heart is all right. An
E nobody ever bad better mother tina
{ ours, nor one that came from a bette
, stock"