The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-01-30

have been !? ah /! what are you now !?
Well the scquel-the sequel. All, now
you wecp Your father, he becomes a
bankrupt-worse, worse-a dtsitonored
bankrupt! But one way lies before him
but one path, dark and gloomy; on
that he enteIs-by that he escapes all
shame, insult, contnncly. He dies!
will not dwell on his death of horror
but you were left-young, beautiful.
alone and poor, my child, what snares
were around thee! Then [ came--I,
your dead mothers humble lover |, your
dead fathers only friend! I, your own
most passionate adorer [ rescued you
from want-from insult-from despair
and dared to speak of love. | was, |
| fear, too hasty, too inconsiderate in my
proposals; my love was despised-reject
ed ! You left me. But, Madeline, your
suitors. where are they? The gay train
of knights, vowed to your seryce-the
proud young mobiles, who laid their pride
1 and their nobility at your fcet-where
are they ? They fed at the first shadow
of your misfortune, Or those who remained
stayed but to wound with expressions of
contemptuous pity, or insult with baser
proposals. They fed, and you were des-
| olate. Was no one faithful 2"
| Eyes ! one P' murmured Madeline, as
| she hid her face in her h. nds-ss0ne ,'
| s'And that one, Madeline, do you still
| hope and live for hin, 2 do you still love
each other ?'
"Yes! yes!' said Madeline, rising,
| with sudden energy "we still love each
o,her-we still love each other-we hope
still I will not desert him He clung
to me through all. l will cling to him,
ard we shall yet be happy" !"
"Nadelinc," exclaimed the banker,
and he knclt before her; s'accept me
I offer you u situation equal to the one
you have lost-wealth beyond your wild
est dreams, luxuries beyond your utmost
wishes. will raise you above the proud
est Of your late admirers-the parasites,
the fawners, the faithless ones of former
days. You shall set your foot upon
their necks. Gold, diamonds, cquipa-
ges-these will not bribe you. l offer
you power-independ power
of doing good-the independence of all
obligation. Oh, think before you again
reject Your lover, tool saw him but
lately; he is Ill. l marked his slight
figure, his thin, flushed cheek I heard
his frequent cough. He is working
hard he denies himself many comforts
| that he may free you from bondage. He
will not live Labor, scanty clothing,
| and poor diet will do the work sooner or
| later you will lose him! I offer you his
health-his happiness. Twill pour gold
upon him, and with gold, ease and COM
| fort If you will be mine, Madeline, /
will settle upon him that shall lift him
at once to affiuence Madeline, you will
| not noic refuse me ?"
She answered mournfully and slowly
'sNo, Mr.. Brandon, it cannot be /; [ never
will desert him Oh believe me, / feel
grateful; he, too, shall thank you; but
ask not, 1 beseech you-ask me not to
deny myself the sweet privilege of strug-
Cling for, and with him, through the
darkness of the present hour into the
light beyond. We are young and hope
ful, and we shall yet be happy. Yes, we
shall be happy! Oh! my friend, our
all ask us not to renounce n
Mr. Brandon rose from his knees, and
seated himself at his desk; there was
long pause. At last he spoke but in al
tered tones.
Tell me, Miss Vernon, your lovers
present plans. It may be in my power
to aid him."
as clerk, which he has promised to him
upon the payment of a sum of money.
provided he can raise it in a certain
space of time; during which the place
will be kept open for him. Our object
is to accumulate this sum to do this we
are srraining every nerve, and trust we
shall succeed
Another long pause, and the banker
raised the lid of his desk; he touched
secret spring, and drawer few open
he took from it roll of paper, and with
grave and solemn air handed it to
Madeline.
"Madeline are you too proud to ac-
cept from one who loves you but too well,
the gift of two thousand pounds ?''
She started from her seat.
ssDo not speak hastily, Madeline false
pride is no virtue. l know not the ex-
act sum required, but this sum will go
far toward the attainment of the object
you have in view. Take it-go! and
unless again thou comest in distress come
to me no more; but if thou needest a
fr;ead, I am here-I am here %
Madeline was awed, and pleased, and
panied she could but weep her thanks.
He took her arm and drew it within his
own, and led her through the banking
house, and handed her sobbine into the
miserable hackney-coach awaiting her.
He stood, half-unconsciously, at the door,
watching its progress down the street,
till at the corner it stopped to take up
tall and elegant looking young man, who
awaited its arrival; shivering in the
chilly air he recognized the favored low
L