The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-12-04
THE DOUBLE GAME.


whom Miss Ellsworth's old friend, Ned
morning on the piazza. She had sailed
with him /; had strolled or ridden with
him along the shore on the moon light
evenings, and she had danced with him
in the thronged drawing-room.
Miss Ellsworth was not girl who be- 4
slowed her likings among many gentle
men and she had found her ideal we'll
nigh realized in Mr.. MAXWELL. Only
the evening before, ptheir talk had with
drawn itself from the general topics
which to each had been copgenial, and
in her admiration of his intelligence and
manliness she had encouraged an ap-
proaeh to that personal sort of CONVEX
sation which relates to love and matri-
mony.
And now, to find Mr. MAXWELL this
morning, with his, coat off and smiths
apron engaged in mending a lock! He
was doing it publicly. The lock was on
the door that led to the middle of the
front piazza, where the fashionably dres-
sed ladies and gentlemen were sitting and
promenadlng.
His back was toward her as sho ap-
preached, leaning on the arm of her
friend, Anna West. She recognized
him, looked intently at him, gave her
companion over to party of young
ladies near, and then stopped and spoke
to him.
DO you like that sort of work, Mr..
MAXWELL % she asked
"I do, Miss Ellsworth; I believe am
natural mechanic
cit appears odd to see you doing
this"
Z" 1t is my trade" he replied. rising
from his work and turning to her.
Her cheek bianched little; g Your
trader she said family.
The party of girls came along just
then. After wondering at Mr.. MAXWELL
while, and laughing at him, they pro-
posed "a ride. There were thfee carri-
ages among them all. Those would take
the party. j
Ned Whitaker here joined them.
"What the deuce are you about
here 2" he exclaimed to Mr.. MAXWELL
"Ah," he added, when the latter turned
and glanced at him. " But while here
you might as well enjoy yourself"
! Mr.. MAXWELL excused himself from
! joining the party, and they all went away
! leaving him to complete his work.
Miss Ellsworth, left him without any
words Of parting.
q 1t is WE'LL" he muttered to himself.
q IF she cannot take me as / am, she Is
not worthy of me. The woman who
marries me must take me for myself"
He stood and looked after her until
J Il H. H.
turn to look back.
He gave his shoulders shrug, COM
pressed his lips, uttered a cynical
g humph.' .' and turned to finish his
work.
q Let it be so,' he muttered, when he
was through and was putting on his coat
{" 1 thought perhaps | had found wo-
man after my own heart. But let it be
SO. Amidst this whirl of wealth and
fashion she, too, has lost her SOUL Let
her 60"
He avoided her thereafter. He did
not seek to catch her eye for a bow OIL
recognition. w hen she entered draw.
ingroom where he was, he would 60 out
another way. But he was more than
ever in the company of, Ned Whitaker
Ned, in passing to and fro between Miss
Ellsworth and him served as sort of g
link between them.
4" You are cynical fellow" said Ned
one day. Why don't you take people
as they are? You'll find good enough
in them"
But they won't take me as I am
: That is the trouble
"Poh! You see yourself that she
allows no other suitors to accompany her
Don't you see that she is alone, or with
the girls most of the time ?"
Her heart is full of vanity"
Pshaw. She is trained to luxurious
notions, that's all. y
Mainwell's trunk was awaiting hin
and the stage, outside on the piazza, a
the time this conversation was going on
On the trunk were his initials, G. NJ
Miss Ellsworth, passing that way, saw
: the initials-not by chance, for she hac
heen very busy scrutinizing the trunks
that lay together-and when she saw th'
initials she started and turned pale. Sh'
recovered herself, and withdrew with he
, companion little way, and then stoot
still and watched. Presently Mr.. Main
well came out with Ned upon the piazza
, He chanced to turn his eyes toward her
and their eyes met-met for the frs
time since she had left him. She di'
not turn her eyes away. She bowed
He lifted his hat The ice was broken
} He then approached her to bid her goot
/ bye.
What the conversation was that ensue'
between the two when they were LEI
alone, by Ned's ingenuity in spiritin,
away the rest of the company, is un
3 known, save the following:
but am locksmith," said Main
well.
sc No matter"
care you willing to live as the wifi
. of one who with his hands earns hi
{ daily bread p
/" am willing to undergo anything 7
be with you. I have suffered enough
During the last few days have learne
what it is to despair of being united t
! the one l love"
t But your mother-your father.
q "Unless I am willing to leave ther