The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-08-21
WORTH HER WEIGHT IN GOLD.
a rnuE Tale OF TEN yrAns AGO.


prey of fortune hunter"
As Sally Bcauclere uttered the words
she threw herself back upon the sofa,
and tossed her handsome head with d
light laugh.
Your fortuneis your face, "reioined
her companion, as he gazed admiring-
ly on her fine features. Sally opened
her large eyes in astonishment.
"a compliment from you, Tom p
she exclaimed.
The gentleman colored. st know
am not much given to pretty speeches,
} but you know, Sally, that / admire
lyou all the same.
To tell the truth, Tom Middleton
had for n long time loved Miss Beau
clere, with all the strength of an ear
nest and constant nature but he was
very diffident; he had shrank from
making known his attachment, fearing
Sally's ridicule, though had he been
more confident of himself he might
have read long ago secret that Sally's
Ieyes took little pains to conceal. But
Tom never imagined how desirable a
fellow he was in himself, and knowing
he had no great fortune to bestow, he
Ibid not venture to offer his hand to the
daughter of Senator Beauclere, and
the reigning belle of the city. Ssily
was one of large family, it IS trae,
land portionless, but her fother's posi-
ton and her own bearty nude Tom
Imagine her to be far removed from
him. Now, he only looked hurt when
she thus playful sneered at his small
compliment. and, turning away to the
wiadow, did not catch the tender look
that stole over Sally's handsome feat
lures.
"Well, what IL tho weather." she
asked, after a moment, as he still stood
gazing out into the night.
1T is beautiful moonlight. and ]
think ] had better go.
$50! Oh, Tom. Why, this is the
last time shall see You for ever SC
long"
"And will you care?" he asked, as
he came again to her side.
Sally blushed. ''0f course shall
care. Tom.
"No, Sally, tomorrow you are going
to Washington. You will be belle
there, rs YOU are everywhere, and you
will soon forget me.
NO, indeed, Tom - she replied, ear.
nestly. Among all those strange
faces and people don't care anything
about, Shall long 10 see my old
friends"
But not me. Youwon't { care much
whether am among the number oil
not.
Yes, shall.
Tom was n fool where women were
concerned, or he would have known
what those words in that soft tone
meant. As ii was, wild hope did
> spring up in his heart, but when he
looked again at that beautiful woman
lit died away. Il am not brilliant
enough for her" he thought but ht
: plucked up sufficient courage to put
out his hand and take one of hers.
You are very kind, sally. he said
Il shall come on to Washington, by
and BY, and then shall know how
, sincere your words are"
Sally's cheek burnt but at that mo
ment the door opened. Tom dropped
her hand, as one of the numerous youne
}. sisters came in, and the golden oppor
tunity passed away, for they were no
together again for that evening.
On that very same night, nearly {
: thousand miles away, two young gen
tlemen were speaking of this sam,
!. young lady. They we're travellers, VIII.
had accidentally ) met on board steam
er on lake Erie. They were tota
!. strangers, and were ignorant even o
lea1n others names, but had fallen int
o chat as they strolled on deck, unde
the rays of the full moon.
ST never was so far from land befor
In my life, said the elder of the two
? afne looking man of perhaps thirty-fve
i Indeed r exclaimed his compan
ion, a handsome, city-br0d lookin
gentlemen. "May ] ask where yo
are from, that your sea experience La
z been so limited ?"
"From the interior of North Care
lima ?"
"Ah r cried the stranger, and hi
: cold features lit up into sudden inter
!. q est. ''Then perhaps you know tn
1g Beaucleres
. 'fVery well, indeed, they arc oil
friends of mine"
'And Miss Beauclere f; you kno'
!. herr"
= Certainly"
fsI hear she is very handsome.
q eyes; do you know her ?"
"No, I have merely heard of her
Ia but I expect to meet her in Washing
ton this winter"
: She is the Oldest daughter, is ST
not ?"
yes"
n sAnd is Senator Beauclere man
- wealth p
eyes that is. he has very fine 3
tate"
r. a. Miss Sally is the daughter of Il
x. first marriage, is she not?
ne, Yes. and a noble girl. Why, 81
is worth half million in herse
alone, . exclaimed the North Carolina
enthusiastically.
His companion started a little at Il
word, but changed the conversation
other subjects, and before long the tv
!. gentlemen parted for the night, st
lu Ignorance Of each others name
They did not meet again. but in Il
morning exchanged merely distai
bow as they left the boat in opposi
2 directions.
=. The weeks passed on, and Sal
LOf BeaucIere was established with b