The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-09-23

want the money to buy food for myself and nv
little sisters 1 make my own collars / thank
you"
"Well, you are spunky little piece; but adj
mire spunk," and here the Judge approached the
chair on which she was sitting. "Tll lend Won
some money, Or''-taking out twenty-dollar
pieee-'Tll give you this, my dear, for a kiss.n
Before he had uttered the last words, the indig-
nant girl had sprung to her feet, and, with the
tears OF shame and wounded pride binding her
eyes, she rushed to the door and fled, as for her
life, down the stairs, till at the foot she paused an
instant, but not soon enough to hinder her haste
and tears being seen by two ladies who were lust
then passing the foot of the staircase They were
Bertha Wills and Anice Merton, and she drew
! back, terribly mortified that they should have
seen her. for she felt that her face told too much
of the sad riot that was going on in her heart.
She was right; the girls had seen the trouble and
the anger and the fear and their sympathies were
aroused Immediately.
"Why, Florence" said Anice, "what is the
matter?"
The poor girl was trembling now till she could
hardly stand.
80 Anicer' she cried, 'I can never tell you
But do go with me-take me home"
''Come with us" said Bertha. II was expect
ing you this morning. When Mrs Murch paid
you off last night, did she not tell you l wanted
you?"
''She did not pay me, neither did she tell me-"
sighed Florence, gradually growing calmer, but
still very pale.
"PoOr girl! Come and go with us" said both
the girls, they stepped each side of her and
gave arm to assist for her face showed her need
of help.
"Have you heard bad news, or whatever can it
>" said Anice. "I cannot imagine what could
have worried you So"
'Wait till we get somewhere" said Florence.
az can't talk now"
"Let talk of something else" said gentle
Bertha, who saw that il distressed Florence to
question her.
SO they, Anice and Bertha chatted away quite
cheerfuly about all sorts of things till they reached
Berthas home. They took Florence right into
the little sewing-room, for they knew she would
not be disturbed there and when she had re-
moved her hat and had bathed her eyes and
smoothed her hair, the girls again begged her TO
tell them her trouble, that they might help her to
bear il.
perhaps I ought to tell you, lest you imagine it
worse than it is" said Florence.
So she told them just what had happened, and
they could not doubt the truth of the clear,
straightforward story for it was corroborated by
what they had seen of her anger and Indignation.
Bertha and Anice indignant that they
could hardly restrain themselves Ance paced
the floor back and forth, saying:
''What "a shamel What a disgrace \ Judge
who deals out such justice to poor, helpless
women -
Bertha sat down beside Florence, put her arm
around her, and said:
Chow do you live when people treat you 50
heartlessly? But tell me- why did not Mrs.
"Oh, l suppose she forgot Some one called just
as / was leaving, and she said she did not have
the money, but would have it in the morning for
me if ! would come. She did not know how
much I needed it then"
'Have you had your breakfast? Come out and
have some now. I'll warm you a cup of coffee"
said Bertha.
Cook an egg for her, too" said Anice. "She
needs strengthening food, I know; and she will
need more of it if she gets safely through this
wicked world. But / must be off to my school
There is the half-past eight bell, and my little
chicks will need coralling," said Anice, cheerily,
as she started to her work, for she was teaching
small private school, in which she took much in
terest.
Florence tried to make Bertha think she did not
need anything, but Bertha would not be refused.
"You have had enough to bear" she said, "to
take away all the strength your breakfast has
given you"
Florence never drank coffee, Bertha got her
glass of rich milk and a nicely poached egg, some
rolls and fresh butter, and Florence was surprised
to find how hungry she was and said So
81 fear you did not have enough this morning.
do wish you would come here and breakfast
while you for me. l would take it as a special
favor if you would" said Bertha.
81 ought not to leave my little sisters to eat
alone" said Florence "I am away so much at
the best"
"We do not take breakfast till after the hour
when you would come to begin work, and you can
save space for something nice, am sure" said
Bertha, persisting, was her wont when she
thought she was i'm the right and she oainad ber