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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1889)
THE WE8T SHORE. Amy Milton had played her part well aa caves dropper and purloiner of private correspondence, and the result of it was the denouement before described, less than a week after the reception. Poor Cab, it did seem to her now, more than ever, that Harold was the only friend she had in the world. Even Dora had weakened. Bat her grief soon gave way to in dignation, and a new element in her nature gained the ascendency. She was gentle and yielding to a fault, or she could be fierce and relentless. The same indomitable will that had planned, and would have carried out self destruction in her early home, had not deliverance come, came to her aid now, and Mad ame was surprised at her almost hauteur, whon, after hearing Dora's tearful, incoherent story, she hastened to comfort her. Bat kindness was a key that never failed to unlock Bab's heart, and she was soon kneel ing at her friend's feet, begging to know if it was a disgrace to be born under a false religion and rot ernment " No, my darling child, no; and as I know your history, there is nothing in it for which you are to blame or that you need blush for. Rev. Max did not think so, anyway," she added, slyly. " Does he know did you toll him? " " Yes, dear." " Before-before we talked, that night?" " Yes, dear." A faint color stole into the girl's cheeks, but she said no more. What passed between Madame and Amy Mixton none but themselves knew, but never had the girls seen the former wear such a threaten ing look as on that day; and in the evening they were treated to a lecture so unlike her usual mild remon strance that they were thoroughly frightened. Amy kept hor room for a day, and then all went on as be fore, except that nothing could induce Bab to speak to or even notice her late accuser, and it was some time before Dora felt that sho wss fully forgiven for even doubting. Night and morning the young Mor mon girl knelt at her bedside in prayer, but as yet her heart was unregenerated. She had yet to learn of Him who could forgive Hi enemies. Uer's was a nature above petty retaliation, however, and she sim ply ignored her foe. Time passed on and school would close early In Jane, and most of the girls go to their own homes. Harold had written Bab that he would visit hor then, and assist Madame in searching for her mother s p. pie. She bad had a long letter from Mm Bwinton, too, fall of love and telling of her probable return to America in the antamn. Jane was almost at hand and Bab was counting the days till Harold would be with her. 14 How happy you are of late, Bab," Dora was say ing, when Mario Lallno, one of Madame's neicos, on tcrod the library with the evening budget of mail. Most of the girls were present The recipients of letters quickly sought a quiet placo to peruse them, and the rest consoled themselves with the rangatines and newspapers. As Bab had received nothing she went on with the bit of fancy work she had in her hand, which was nothing more or less than a slipper front she was working for Harold. " Here, Bab, since you're uot in luck to-night I'll divide with you," said one of the girls, laughingly, as sho tore tho wrapper from a magnzino and tossed it into her lap. M Generous, aren't you?" said Bab, laying down her work and picking it up. " They are economical out west, anyway, to wrap their publications in old newspapers." There was silenco for a moment, broken by a low moan, and Bab fell to the floor, crumpling tho bit of paper in her clinched band. A chorus of screams brought tho ladies of tho household to tho room. " She has fainted, I think," said Dora, who was already on hor knees besido tho prostrate form, chaf ing the cold hands and temples. " There, sho is re viving." Madame, with her usual ready wit, drew tho crumpled paper from tho nerveless fingers and put it in her pocket Instantly sho had indicted it as tho cauao of the present condition of her favorite, M Hho is not tho one to faint at nothing ," and when tho op. portunity offered sho smoothed out tho crumpled fragment and found her worst fears rralixed, but kept her own counsel. When fully conscious Bab bogged to bo left alone, saying that sho was not sick, only tired, and Madame granted tho rrquett, judging sho would be better alono. But morning found her raring in a wild delirium, wLilo tho firo of fever raged through her veins. 1W Babl Madame's de termination was quickly taken, and tho n ut morning Harold Bwlnton received tho following dispatch Com it onit f fnr iU Ho made all posiible speed, and three days later rang tho 111 at tho Villa LalUe. It was Madamo's white, stern face that met him. M Corns with me," sho said, tersely. " How is sho?" ho flterrl, but received no an swer until Madaioo's privato parlor dour bad closl behind them. M Harold Hwinton, how cmld yoa blight that fair, young lifs?" and then sho banded Lim tho fatal bit of newspaper. His fact grew aabro as hs read-