The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-12-24

and never will. No doubt she is ca-
pable of finding her way here; they all
appear to be. / shan't go for her"
Mrs. Hinkle retreated.
"What will she think of usfv she
said, sobbing.
Don't cry" said Bachelor Brown.
"I'n sec if any of the hands ut Oats
place can drive over for her"
And out he went but all the hands
on Oats place were busy with the hay,
which stood in danger from coming
shower. Richard returned without
the least success.
"A shower, too" said Rose. "Poor
dear Amanda I'll try and see what /
can do with my cousin" And in the
study she spent IN hour, teasing and
worrying without effect.
LET her get lost, ;" said Bachelor
Brown. "No doubt she'd like it. And
as for her trunk, why can't girls trav-
el with portmanteau, aswe do?'
And Rose departed pouting. She
found Adelaide in m extremely merry
mood
Don't laugh" she said "think Of
poor Amanda"
II nm thinking Of her." said Ade-
laide; "and Cousin Dick shall go. I'll
tell fib.
For shame r said Rose.
lone ought to make some sacrifice
for friend" said Adelaide. I'll tell
him she's a child. He'salway good to
children"
1T will never do" said Mrs. Hin
kle >; "he1l never forgive you"
But Adelaide ran up to her cousins
study. and burst in with an exceeding
~ theatrical laugh.
"What mistake" she said, land
so stupid in them all. You think
Amanda is u grown young lady, don't
you"
Isn't she?" asked the bachelor.
"As if child OF nine years could
be r said Adelaide. Poor little
thing?"
Poor little thing, indeed e. said the
old bachelor, hurrying on his coat and
hat. BLESS me. why didn't you men
ton it? Poor little soul !"
And in a few minutes the light wag-
onette was driven down the road, and
the Hinkles stood looking after it.
"Im half frightened" said Rose.
$50 am ], !" said Adelaide. "But it's
done, and cannot be helped now. I'll
manage to coax him to forgive me,
and it wouldn't do TO leave friend in
sucha position, you know, and Ididn Z
say she was achild."
Meanwhile Bachelor Brown drove TO
the station. 1t was long drive over
a bad road, but he kept on his way
very chcerfully. He was extremely
fond Of children.
When, on reaching the station, he
saw no sign of her presence, he grew
alarmed. II she had been lost through
his neglect he could never forgive him
self. He ran his fingers through his
curly hair, and peeped into the ladies'
waiting room. Only very fine full
grown young woman sat there, and he
retreated. The woman who waited in
the apartment came out of her nook
with courtesy, as she saw him, and
he addressed her:
: Have you seen little girl waiting
for some one =
mo, sir said the woman. "There
were two come down, but they are
gone"
"Oh, dear oh, dear 7 said Bache-
lor Brown hope there's no mistake.
it's a little Miss Dove, and if the dear
little soul has gone estray, I'm entirely
to blame. Please make inquiries, -
there's good woman"
As he uttered these words the full
grown young lady in the waiting-room
was seen to blush yehemently and
arise.
''I'm Amanda Dove" she said, "and
/ expected some one from Mr.. Hin
kle's
Bachelor Brown stood aghast. He
had spoken of this lady as a "dear lit
tie thing" and his face also turned
scarlet.
"I-beg your pardon, ma'am" he
began. "I expected to find a little
girl wouldn't have used such ex-
pressions for the world-I-"
81 comprehend" said the young
lady; don't mind in the least. Il
''Is this your trunk, ma'am?' said
Bachelor Brown, in hurry.
Eyes, sir" said the lady, looking
down.
And in few moments the two were
driving toward the Hinkle country
seat. Never had Bachelor Brown found
himself SO close to any young lady
save his cousins, before. He was wo-
fully confused, but somehow he liked
it. How pretty she was, he thought
How pink and white, how golden her
hair was. How the blue ribbons o.
her bonnet set it off Then he begaI
to wonder what she thought OF him
! Wondering thus, he forgot the road
and suddenly found that he had los
j himself.
To add to the dilemma, the storm
which had been threatening for hour
burst at the very moment when Bach
elor Brown found it impossible to tel
whether the left road or the right let
homeward and the horse was afrai'
Of lightning, and grew restive. Mis-
Amanda Dove was afraid OF hghtninI
also. She gave q little scream, am
chung to Bachelor Browns coat-sleevs
| Bachelor Brown looked down at heI
It was such soft. plump hand. He
eyes were so round and blue, in he
terror, that he forgot she was youn
: lady.
ssIll take care of you" he said
fash Of lightning. roar Of thunder
an attempt on the part Of the horse
- ...->~- .,,fapwr,v1{ad him Miss nov