The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1870-11-25

take no notice Of me at present, least
my mother should observe it. In o.
few days she will be going out of.
town, and then we. can throw off all
restraint. Till then, adieul adieu!
my adorable one. My eyes are ever
on you. Your own, "a
ads WnLoUoHBY VASE."
To which epistle came the following
answer: ..4.-
"DEAn SIn:-Your explanation is
perfectly satisfactory. may add that
your features are not at oil repusive
to sG5 so e 4sa EVA.
"Bless heri What delightful little
soul she she isl" CALCULATED Viii
loughby. t' 2 " r
And he went out, ordered a new
suit of clothes, and his hair cut
"Willy" said Mrs. Vance to her son
the next morning, "I wish you would
do something TO improve your mind,
and not waste your time by looking
out Of the window all day, as you
have lately done. Come and read the
Parliamentary debates to me, if you
have nothing else to do"
The worthy lady was rabid politi-
clan, and for three mortal hours she
kept him at his delightful task; at the
expiration Of this time he succeeded
in escaping to his own room, where
he wrote the following note TO Eva:
"DEAREsr Eva: / am overjoyed at
the contents Of your brief communi-
cation. II as you say, my features
are not altogether repulsiye to you,
may hope that you will consent to
be mine-mine only?
WnLouoHBY.
Back came the reply the next morn
ing:
DEAR WLLoueHyY Your reply has
made me feel happy. 1t is very dull
here-no society except my father and
mother. long for more congenial
companionship-Thine, EVA.
In this delightful manner the days
flew on-halcyon days, too, they were
for Willoughby, and sweetened by the
enterchange of this and similar love-
like correspondence. On the follow
ing Monday morning, Mrs. Vane left
town on visit TO some friends in
Devonshire, leaving her son to keep
house at home. This same afternoon,
one of Captain Blacks servants
brought the following note for Viii
loughby.
"Wiilie-Have you any objection to
my telling my dear papa? Matters
have now gone so far. that it will be
impossible for either of us to retract
what we have written. Let Us take
papa into our confidence. / know his
kind and generous nature too we'll,
and have no fear that he will oppose
our union. Pray send me line by
bearer. Eva"
The answer was rs follows:
"MY owS EvA-Do whatever you
consider best. Ny fate is in your
hands. II your papa should refuse
his consent, but will not think
of anything 50 dreadful! Fear not
that shall ever retract. Life with
out you would be desert, with no
basis to brighten it. Yours until
death, WrLLoUoaBY.
That evening, just as Willoughby
had finished dinner, he heard q loud
donble-knock at the street door. and
on its being opened, strange voice
inquired in loud tone-"Is Ar. Viii
loughby Vane at homer"
| His heart beat vehemently, as Jane,
entering the room, said-'A gentle
man wishes to speak with you III the
library, sir"
And she banded him a card inscrib-
ed, Captain Choker Black, G. b.,
II. Ms 1794th Foot. q
81 will be with him in moment, :"
said Willoughby, and he swallowed a
couple of glasses of sherry to nerve
him for the interview.
Captain Choker Black, I believe,
he said, as he entered the library.
"Your servant, sir, !" said the gallant
Captain, who, glass in eye, was busi-
ly engaged in scrutinizing an engrav-
| ing of the battle of Navarino. "Your
servant, sir. Have the pleasure of
addressing Mr.. Willoughby Vane?"
Willoughby bowed.
"Then, sir, of course you know the
business that has brought me here p"
Terribly nervous, and scarcely
knowing what answer to make, our
hero bowed again. t
Come, come, sir, don't be afraid
to speak out. My daughter has made
me her confidant, so let there be no
reserve between us. Eva has told me
| ALL"
Here poor Willoughby blushed up
to the roots of his hair.
"You see, I know all about it.
You have fallen desperately in love
with the poor girl, and although you
have never exchanged three words to-
gether, you are already engaged to be
married. Mighty expeditions, upon
my word! Ha! ha! ha! Pray excuse
me for laughing, but the idea is some-
what comical! Ha! hal"
As the Captain appeared to be in o
very good humor, Willoughby's cour-
age began to rise.
"Don't mention it, sir. Your are
her father, and have right to do what
you please. But sincerely trust you
have no objections to offer
"I? None! Believe me, I shall be
delighted to see my Eva comfortably
settled. But bark, sir. Business is
business. I am plain, blunt man,
and fifteen years service with ones
regiment in India doesn't help to pol
ish one. First of all what are your
prospects?" a s... 8
| And the Captain drew note book
| r. l.