The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-01-09

such as he hoped, to try and win the one
he loved best for his wife; to tell the
truth the young man was half in love
with both, but with a growing preference
for Lucy. He wapted a wife for some
thing more than mere beauty, and he
could not help believing that he would
find what he desired more surely in Miss
Lane than in Miss Carlyle. A favora-
Bile opportunity soon presented itself to
decide the question.
Miss Calylc felt fattered by the atten-
tion of one who bade SO fair to achieve
distinction, and resolved to win him if
the powers of facination could do SO.
On her twenty fourth birth day she
gave an entertainment, which surpassed
any thing the town had ever witnessed.
George jackson was there. She was
radiantly beautiful, and the young mar
had half determined to address her be-
fore the evening was over.
When the guests went into the supper
| room, Mr. jackson found himself be-
| tween the two beauties. Some one pro-
posed the health of the fair hostess, and
all but the young man drained their
glasses to the bottom. He did not drink
Miss Carlyle noticed this, and she said to
him in surprise:
-'.Is it possible that you refuse to drink
my health, Mr.. jackson 2"
''Pardon me-" he said calmly, "you
know that 1 never drink vine
''But this once will not make any
difference she urged sml ngly.
II am sorry to refuse you" he said,
"but must do so. l resolved five years
ago not to taste any intoxicating liquors.
| might do myself great harm BY acced-
ing to your request
81 am sure you cannot do wrong to
drink one glass, and that to my health, !"
she said as sweetly as before.
She saw Lucy Lane watching them
calmly, and she meant to show that
young lady how greatly she had the
young lawyer In her power. But for
| this she would have accepted his excuse,
and ceased t. urge him. Miss Lane
face flushed as she heard the young
temptress' speech, and involuntarily she
gazed at Jackson, as if awaiting his
answer.
'Aliss Carlyle" said the young man
with evident embarrassment, Il beg you
will not urge me in this matter | have
made a solemn resolution to abstain from
all kinds of liquors. [ consider my hon
or involved in this resolve, and [ am
sure you would not have me prove false
to it."
"You will not do SO by obliging me
not fair for you alone, to refuse to drink
my health. | am really offended with
you. l don't see why you should refuse
to crafty me only for once
'To be canded with you," speaking
slowly, while his face flushed painfully
Il am afraid to do so. You remcmbe,
the life I led FIVE years ago. I an
afraid that one single departure from the
path that have marked out for mysel
might drag me back to it''
; Turning his head for moment, he saw
Miss Lane standing by him, and he knew
from the look Of sympathy which he
face wore, that she had heard the conver
sation.
"What shall do," he asked her al
most unconsciously.
''You must decide for yourself" sh.
answered quietly, "but l would di,
before I would abandon such a resolu
ton"
Neither saw the angry fash that dart
: ed from Miss Carlyles eyes. She con
: trolled herself, however, and SAID care
, lessl ly II shall urge you no more, Mr.
: Jackson, and am sorry you should b
. so much afraid to pay me SO simple
compliment;
She bowed and passed to another por
tion of the roOm, thinking that the .youn
man, il order to oayoid offending her woui
finally yield.
: He did not and finally she saw hir
leave the house. He went away wit
: : the matrimonial question finally settled
: A woman who would urge him as sh
had done, to violate such resolution
> was not the person for a wife. Luc
Lanes simple reply decided his douh,
. in her favor, and tho next day that youn
. lady received formal offer of his han
and heart, which she promptly accepted
: They were married and never afterware
s did Mr.. jackson have cause to regr,
Miss Carlyle's conduct toward him, Fl
= it gained him wife.
!. AGAINST THE CURRENr.-A waggis
e chap, whose vixen wife by drowning 10