The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-01-20
know; and I am resolved to ask her to

last--an object 30 all absorbing that
Everything else seemed merely second
aryl Colonel Carl Oxford was decid-
edly in love. e'5't3 -t@" :
Miss Howard was triAing prettilS
over basket of vividly colored Ger
mnn wools, in Mrs. D'Orsay's parlor,
OH that golden june morning, while
ever, and anonl she paused to look
dreatiiily out of the window, and mur-
mnr the half forgotten words OF some
old ballad. t . 'a' :
absorbed in reveries again. Essie!''
laughed Mrs. D'Orsay, as she came to
the window to place her canary in the
sunshine. "a silver penny for your
thoughts.
Essie Howard's color deepened q
little. "To tell you the truth. Mrs.
D'Orsay, was thinking just then
"Whether Colonel Oxford would
call understand, my love, perfect
| ly. There no further need for specu
lation on the subject, for there's his
knock now. Upon my word, he's the
most attentive cavalier know Of"
And Mrs. D'Orsay slipped laugh
ingly out of the room as Colonel Or
| ford entered it. ts.
"He means to propose, I'm sure, .
said the little lady to herself, with n
nod of her sunny head. "He looks
just exactly rs Mr.. D'Orsny did when
the eventful question was trembling
on his lips. / wonder what Essio will
say to him. Aha! / fancy 1 could
give n shrewd guess"
Miss Essie did not say "no."
"1hen you viii let me take yoti
away to the old Hall with me, dearest
Essiel' Carl said, tenderly prisoning
the soft little hand in his. at is
nine years since I have crossed its
threshold, now. And"
He paused abruptly. remembering
that he had not told Essie of his ward.
MY ward il there now little Ethel
Lyttldton. just returned from Madame
de Ia Vanier's boarding-school You
will love her, Essie?" s....a.
There was n slight shadow on Essie
Howard's brow, that fell like ice
across Carfs heart, as she withdrew
her little hand.
"Is your ward to reside with you?''
"Alost certainly, Essie. / pledged
my word to her father on his dying
bed"
II do not approve of any such ar
Irangement as that. Can you not send
her nway?'
"send her away? A homeless or.
phanr'
"She might go us a governess, or
even take tho situation of q compan.
ioh." a-uaa as
Carl Oxford bit his lip Until the
blood started.
''Essie this il subject on which my
resolution cannot be altered even by
your wish. Ethel Lyttleton is n sa-
cred bequest to ne-her happiness
and interest are my ffe's study
While / have home, Ethel must
share it; while my arm can ward of
| lifes storms, she shall never feel their
bitterness. Essie, will you not take
her To your heart also7"
But Essie's beautiful lips were COM
pressed like carved coral.
You must choose between me and
this Miss-Miss Lyttleton. l take NO
divided allegiance
"Essiel"
"Your decision alone can settle the
matter, Colonel Orfordp'
Then it is made. Essie, I love
you more dearly than my falterina
tongue scan ever tell; but j canno,
forget my duty as o. Christian-my
honor as gentleman. Essie. once
more / plead my cause-this time on
my bended knee. VIII yon not re.
lent9'
81 have told you once that your
choice lay between me and your ward.
"Then, farewelll'
He spoke the words in n strange
lstifil ed voice, rs though the syllables
choked him-bowed over her hand
and went out rejected man.
/ "Well," mused Colonel Carl Or
ford, as he cafelessly threw cologne
bottles, dressing cases, rare engrav
ings and patent leather boots in one
conglomerate mass into his trunks
"that dream is overi The waking wa,
rather rough, but I suppose it is just
as well! My beautiful Essie! Oh, m,
dear lost Lowell" For one moment lie
bowed his head on his two hands Will
all the stiffled anguish of a strong
mans grief, and then went on will
his occupation. He smiled bitterly O.
he took up q velvet case, containing {
set of red, sparkling garnets that h,
had purchased in Paris for his ward
! '''She will be glad to have them
dear little Ethel. Perhaps some day
| when the bitterness of this grief j,
over, she may become like dear ant
cherished daughter to me! At al
events, | have not swerved from til,
promise | made to Mark Lyttleton OF
!, his death-bed." II. asa
4 The next evenings sunset was pur
: [pling all the horizon, when Carl Or
, ford walked up the broad, gravellet
sweep of the lawn, and the perfumct
) honeysuckle hung perfectly motion
) less on the balmy air. Home again
but OIL with what a heavy heart!
il ! The front door was wide open; no,
I familiar appeared the mosaic marbl
of the hall pavement, the antique stat
. lues leaning from the walls, even th
quivering shadows cast by the staine,
glass easements below. et4f 'iai
!, Mrs. Tudor, the old housekepe,
t came forward curtseying, in o stii
/, black dress and gold spectacles.
: "Welcome home once more, Cole
: mel! Miss Lyttlston has been her
but few hours" stltt % hsq
s "Only just artived9'