The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-01-28


you do, / will give you any price you
ask. Anything, everything is yours,
if you only bring my child to life and
health"
II thank you for your generous Of
fer" said Doctor Price; 'but my de-
mands, If succeed, will not be exorb-
liant. Perhaps l ought to say that,
after what you have just said, shall
expect prompt compliance with what
ever demands may make"
con my honor as gentleman, !"
said the squire.
81 do not doubt it, And now, il you
are ready, Twill visit the patient. Doc
tor Nagle will go with u.s."
Doctor Price went to the sick-room
alone, leaving Doctor Nagle and the
squire in the library. To Squire Stark
weather the time passed very slowly,
and more especially because the old
doctor positively refused to lave any
thing to say to him. Ho sat by the
window as unconcerncdly Us though
there was not n Starkweather lying near
unto death, while the terrified parent
paced the floor with rapid strides,
ever and anon opening the door, and
looking out into the hall to see il Doc
tor Price was not coming. At last he
came, and the squire waited, notion
less, for him to speak.
II can save your daughter" said
Doctor Price, confidently.
Squire Starkweather sank into scat,
overcome with JOY: and in after years
he spoke of that time as the happiest
moment of his life.
Doctor Price visited his patient dai-
", and ut the end OF n week even
Squire Starkweather's inexperienced
eye saw that Nelly was much improved,
even out of danger. When a month
had passed, Doctor Price took his pa
tient to ride with him, and from that
time she improved so fast, that in two
weeks more tho doctor pronounced her
as we'll as ever.
Then he called for settlement. II
was one evening, and tho squire and
Nelly, Doctor Price and Doctor Nagle,
were all in the library.
II surrender my charge tonight, I"
said Doctor Price, leading Nelly to n
seat near her father. Have been a
faithful steward p
"I never can repay you, said the
happy father, with much feeling. "No
price that you can name will seem half
a recompenso for the JOY you have
given me"
do not say that said the doctor,
''for l will tell you that your pleasure
is mine also. / have worked for my
self as we'll as you, and had / failed
my sorrow woul1not have been see
lond even TO yours. But, thank God,
1 did not fail, and now Idenand, with
all Difference, the reward, for such ]
deem it TO be.
Name it." said tho squire, land ]
will double ii"
THANK you squire, but l prefer il
single. All that ask is your consent
to the marriage of Walter Welby and
Nelly Starlkweather.
Never! neyer!" shouted tho squire
starting to his feet. 1T Is all plot
n deyilish plot, from beginning TO end
I never will! Never! never!'
Doctor Price waited until the frs
blast OF fury was somewhat spent, ant
then said calmly, yet none the less de
terminedly:
"Then, Squire Starkweather, mus
take forcibIe possession of the reward
demanded. Doctor Nagle, please t,
! call the parson.'
"What do you mean?" cried the be
wilderedsquire.
G6T,,ol &x.laG 3 va~- - oasI naafa.. D..sOa
"Walter Welby and Nelly Starkweath
er are about to be united in tho hol,
bonds of matrimony."
"Whatr' exclaimed the squire, al
), most beside himself with rage and as
tonishment. "You have tho impu
: dence-"
fsWill you remain and witness th
ceremony, squire ?" interrupted Doc
tor Nagle.
The squire was SO completely rs
founded at the sight before him, tha
:, he did not even know that Doctor Ma
: gle spoke. He saw Doctor Price an,
Nelly, hands joined, standing befor
the old parson; while through tn
: open door came guests to the wedding
= until the room was full. He sa,
: : groomsman and bridesmaid, bu
: among them all he did not see the fae
? ? of Walter Welby.
J "HoldP' he shouted. "I forbid this.
? esquire Starkweather, there is on
Alternative" said Doctor Price. ct as
:, the hand of your daughter"
: "For yourself p asked the squir
!, eagerly.
> "For myself alone, while life sha
:, last, said the doctor, salemnly.
Z "Yor arewelcome," said the squire
= grasping his hand. "Take her, doc
: tor, and be happy. And you, m
daughter p
5 .sI thank you, dear father, said sh,
" putting her arms about his neck. 9
!, have learned to love him so much
= she whispered.
= IT knew your heart wasn't broken
/. ) exclaimed the squire, triumphant,
- "Well, well, let us have it done witt
= Go on, parson.
= No second bidding was needed, on
= the twain were speedily made one.
+ s'I wonder where Walter Welby
now r asked the squire, rubbing b
= hands with immense satisfaction. sEl
= Nelly"
10 Here he isp' said Doctor Pric
q tearing off the disguise which hi
nt served him SO well.
as "Duped, thunder" moaned Il
poor old squire. And the expressie
I'd of his face was ludicrous in the 9
1 ~ L. II. -