The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-08-07

Lizzie commenced ssMr. Carver,
was rude; | was provoked at what yo'
said at the table, and SO forgot myself
I'm sorry
I wished l had gone out but, they
were between me and the door, SO die
not know what to do.
Bob maintained an awkward silence
for a few seconds. | began to feel inter
ested. l knew that was pretty much Of
an apology for Lib to make to any enc
and l mentally said if he did not accept
it as Frankly as it was offered, he was a.
well, not what thought him.
Lizzie must have grown, tired of his
silence, for she had turned aroand from
the window, when Bob said, "Stop.'
She turned toward himand he continued:
"Lizzic, don't think | am such a brute
as not to accept your apology. | was
only at loss to find words to express my
regret a. having provoked you into say
ing what you did. 1t was all my fault 2
sNo, it wasn't" curtly returned Lizzie,
and | mentally concluded that they would
quarrel over this.
But Bob continued seriously, and in a
most lugubrious tone "Well, may be it
isn't. | guess it is fate. 1t is theresult
I suppose, of oversensitiveness to your
indiffercnce-or dislike"
"Bob !' exclaimed Lizzie.
'sIt's true," he said, "I can't help
feeling that you don't like me, and my
uneasiness leads me to increase your
aversion"
| wished l had gone. They seemed
to be settling not only their last quarrel,
but all they had ever had.
SYou had no right to say that, Bob.
You-know-I don't-dislike you," said
Lizzie, actually breaking down and Sob
bing.
[ guess he must have concluded that
he knew it, for he took her in his capa-
cious arms just as | passed them on a
rapid retreat, terribly ashamed Of not
having gone in the first place.
| do not know what took place after I
left, but so far as dinner was concerned,
Lib might as well have gone to church.
Bridget got 1T it all right, however,
and | think it was about the happiest one
we ever did eat.
Happiness is contagious, and there
was enough of it in Lizzie's eyes alone
to have inoculated whole regiment with
joy
[ believe Clara saw the state of affairs
at once, and shared Lizzie's joy to the
greatest possible degree.
Father and mother seemed to accept
the ''era of good feeling" without expla-
nation, while Bob was insane
He asked father about the sermon and
on being assured it was an excellent one,
said he would take little of it.
Father asked him '.What ?" and he
said potatoes"
He helped himself to spoonful, and
then deliberately took spoonful of but
ter.
Mother significantly asked him if he
thought smoking agreed with him, and
be told her yes, he considered it de-
lightful exercise; and as he gave her
this novel assurance, he reached for the
and poured it over his potatoes
and butter
This was too much for Clara and me,
and we burst into an uncomfortable fit of
laughter, which recalled Bob to his SEN
ses; and, blushing crimson, he confessed
that he was absent minded, as he had
Just been able to see his way clear in
matter which had troubled him for
months.
He then heartily Joined in the general
laugh at his mistakes; Lizzie also joining
IN, and blushing pink accompaniment
to his deep crimson flush.
Bob and father took smoke in the
office that afternoon, and mother and the
girls held q conference in the parlor; I
took a walk.
When | came back Clara said, aYou're
! gump."
Without any idea of what that might
De, meekly assented, and said, 81 had
40 idea OF what was coming I thought
Bob wanted you instead Of Lib
ssYou're all the worse gump for that, =
'aid she; aand for fear, you can't see