The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-09-25
ANNA LELAND.

Nobody seems TO be aware OF the fact,
however, but myself. This letter, for
instance, is q good specimen of my in-
genuity. will send it to Mr.. Wayne
in about three weeks. He doubtless
will then be sufficiently settled to en-
Joy the contents. However, / must
not forget to enclose the ring; that
would be carelessness indeed. This
letter" continual he, after placing the
ring in the folds Of the perfnmed note,
twill, am certain, accomplish my pur-
pose. Harvey Wayne will not return. +"
On this point Mr.. Willis seemed pc
culiarly positive. He undoubtedly was
well acquainted with the disposition Of
Mr. Wayne. He thought that, by
permanently ridding himself of his
rival, he could regain the friendship
of Anna Leland, and ultimately sue
ceed in claiming her for his bride.
Il have succeeded charmingly, so
far" he remarked, as he stepped to the
door to witness train of cars sweep
by.
He was just in time to catch sight of
n waving handkerchief, and the cheer
ful face of Harvey Wayne looking from
the car window. For n moment his
rascality was 80 apparent to himself
that he TUNED his head and remarked. .-
"There he goes. He suspects moth
ing wrong. BY the prophet am n
great scoundrel. / feel as if l ought
to be kicked"
Scarcely had the words fallen from
his lips when young man, hardly
twenty years old, approached.
"Holloa, Mr.. Willis, said the new
conner, you seem excited. What is
the matter?"
Nothing" was the blunt reply,
take seat"
tack Raymond took the proffcrcd
chair, and after seating himself, with
nnreserved dinquisitiyeness, exclaimed, -
"Well Mr.. Willis, how is your suit
progressingY'
"Suit? what suit? All, yes; you
have reference to my little affair at
Oaklandg"
"By no means, ms dear sir; I mean
your suit with Miss Leland. Have
you been successfully"
Mr. Willis smiled as he thought how
remarkably unsuccessful had been his
efforts to win the love of Anna
Leland.
Il will make n confident of this
young man." thought he, ''the result
Of which will perhaps be to my adyan-
tage."
This Mr. Willis Immediately procee-
ded to do by giving his companion an
edifying address on tho instability of
matrimonial engagements. his case be-
ing cited as a particular example.
Jack Raymond listened attentively un-
til he had comprehended the past and
present condition of affairs, and the
future expectations of Mr.. Willis, when
he somewhat discouragingly remark
ed
"It is pretty deep plot, Mr.. Willis,
but your rival, If / am not mistaken, is
good at contemplating. Yet you will
make the attempt, however, sup
pose?"
Eyes, certainly, I can do no more
than fail, and even then / shall have
the satisfaction of knowing that have
occasioned considerable trouble"
"What n peculiar idea of consola-
ton, laughed his friend Zone would
think, by your indifference, that you
were on old stager in the business.
Mr. Willis smileda bitter smile, and
changed the subject by saying, as he
brought forth a decanter of wine,--
"This will encourage me ut any
rate"
He filed couple of wine glasses,
and handed one of them to his COM
panion. Seeing with some displeasure
that his visitor was evidently trying to
avoid the wine, he asked,-
"Do YOU not drink"
"No" was the emphatic reply. IT
have reasons which have always kept
me from drinking"
"What may they be, pray?"
f'My father died q drunkard and"
bah SO did my grandmother.
"Come, drink, I say, drink r
Feeling somewhat ashamed of his
excuse, and not wishing to loose the
confidence of his companion, Jack Ray
mond raised the wine to his lips, and
for the first time i'll many years drank
the stimulating beverage.
ST will drink but this once" he said,
but before the conversation which en-
sued was over, he had drained the
fiery contents of at least dozen
glasses.
Iii short time he was beastly drunk.
In this condition he wended his way
home.
Mr.. Willis watched his unsteady
progress down the street, and in tone
of careless indifference remarked, -
"Faith I believe I have awakened
the poor FOOLS appetite forliquor. See
he reels with all the science of pro-
fessional drunkard r.
With this the unprincipled man tip
ped back in his chair, and was soon
lost in the contents of the evening
paper.
Indifferentman The dreadful crime
you have committed, will prove your
own destruction.
In a few days after this Mr.. willis
visited Annie Leland. She received
him kindly, and courteously invited him
to repeat the call. This he had nohes-
itancy in doing. He had been in hel
company but short time, however.
when he learned, to his satisfaction
md immense relief, that the fair girl
was not aware of the whereabouts ol
Hary, ,ay Vane. Not having time to visit
his inte, ,nGed bride, Mr.. Wayne had
departed with the evident Intention OF