The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-10-07

presence, promise of serene repOse. You got
from her no hint of change of growth, of develop
reached the Elysian Fields, the goal of hope, the
sphere of immutabilty.
"What a sweet girl Miss Gay is ~ said Mrs.
Brooks that night while he ate his supper. ''She
doesn't seem to know she is gOOd-lOoking, or that
she is so amiable ! know never saw such eyes.
If her aunt only kept her in London and brought
her out she would be the beauty of the season
photographed, and her carte in every window
81 should be very sorry to see her anything OF
the kind She Is too good to be beauty Put
delicate angel like her up among lot of braZen
married women, whose good looks ought to be at
home, and not stuck everywhere all over town for
vulgar fools to leer at -
''Well, am not in favor of these photographs,
myself, but | think the girl ought to be brought
out. wonder what will become of the dear child
when the aunt dies ,"
81 imagine nothing could be better for her, if
anything happened TO her aunt, than to come and
live with YOU here
~ should like that We could take care of her
here Mr.. C0lthurst Have you heard her play2
Queer, out-of-the-way, dreamy things, that make
YOU feel first if YOU wanted TO 90 to sleep, and
then if you wouldn't close your eyes upon any
account
~ should like above all things to hear her"
"Tll ask if ! may bring YOU up tomorrow even
ing. The aunt is a NICE sensible lady, and isn't
bit hard on the child'
All that night one phrase of Mrs. Brooks
haunted him, 1--WE could take care of herr We
we-we-we? Take care of her? Take care of
that sweet young girl? Ay, though all the world
he could raise an arm 10 strike a blow for her.
Tomorrow evening he might meet her! He
might hear her voice coming TO him. He might
watch her as she sat and talked. Her hand might
/ touch his. Her dress might brush against him.
He might sit and listen 10 her playing in the twi
/ light lie might pick up flower ora ribbon ora
| glove she had worn.
If. when her aunt died, she only came to that
house, what care they would take of this gentle
/ faced girl. She would be like Mrs. Brooks
dauohter-live with her. dine and sun at the same
] taI,l nd -ff Wit i'm hp aft
and evenings. That would be delightful.
When he got back TO Manville square next even
\ ing, he did not linger out of doors, but walked
with quick step up TO the house and Went in. IL
was close 20 O'Clock when he met Mrs. Brooks.
\ She had good news for him. He was to 20 up that
\ evening and be introduced; but Miss Gay had said
he must remember they were in the doctors
/ hands and he must not take ii i'll of them if they
/ retired early.
Mrs Brooks devoted herself altogether to the
aunt, and the young people were left almost alto
gether to themselves. They talked of great
number of things. He found her intelligent, shy,
candid and anxious for surprise.
"Nou have never been in London before ~ he
asked.
'No, never; l am greatly delighted with it,"
"Would you like To live here always? ~
Il should like II very much; but aunt could not
manage To live here. In fact, we going back
very soon"
''How ."
''In a few days do not know how many
when we are done with the doctors
~ am very sorry for the cause of your visit to
/ London. wish il had nothing to do with doctors.
/ What do they say"'
"Aunt does not tell me all. She is afraid of
alarming me. fancy the case is a very bad one,'
she replied
as it of long standing ."
"No; only few months"
~ understand you have no other relative in the
world but Miss Gay ?n
Not one.N
suppose the doctors report is unfavonble;
/ what will YOU do ~
"Go back to the country with aunt"
And what will you do then@'
As she said this word She cast her eyes down,
and he could see ereyelds were heavy with tears.
How he wished and prayed she might come To
the notion of her going away now. He had made
up his mind that as her aunt died she
should come to London and live with Mrs. Brooks
1--WE could take care of the poor child he said, in
his heart. Aloud he said
"Could you not manage TO stay in LondOn?'
"Ah, no. The doctors say London will not do.
We must get away To the sea, TOrquay or Bourne
mouth, am not sure which,
Mrs. Brooks has boen giving me amost enthu-
siastic account Of your playing Are you very
fond of music ~
''Yes, very; care for nothing in the world so
much.n
and who are your favorite composers ~
"Mcndelssohn and Schubert
MAY hope you will play little to-night?'
81 will play with great pleasure, only not too
long"
She PLAYED for half an hour and Colthurst lis
tened enchanted He knew nothing of music
himself, but he loved il dearly. He had never be-
fore heard anything weird, soft so tender, 50
spirifUeie. 1t like the signing of forlOrn
winds in mystic groves. He could not play the
simplest air. but he could interpret the most intri-
cate, or, at all events, all airs had meanings for
him; right or wrong, he did not pause, he did not
care to inquire.
At the end of half an hour the aunt came, and
said
''That is enough for tonight child"
COlthurst rose to go, and i'm taking leave said
"YOu have given me only appetite for youI
music. May /, Miss Gay,n turning to the elder
D lady, "come another night ?'
l Certainly; we shall be very glad to you, il
you will not mind our being rude, and turning you
, out early. We live by rule, you know, and we
must take no libertiesn
He went out for a stroll round the square, it be-
ing then only lOoclock As he walked round and
: round the square, he could think of nothing but