The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-07-07
TRAGEDY OF cRofTos WOODS.

standing with clasped hands in the
doorway of pretty country house
With head bent forward and lips
parted, she listened and peered
through the shrubbery, as If expect
ing some one. A step sounded on
the gravel walk at last, and tall
form came hurriedly forward in the
twilight. The lady in the doorway,
Calista Langdon, shrank back little
in the hall, and the eager, anxious
look passed from her face. Her white
hands unclasped, and she changed her
position of inquiry and watchfulness
to one of inquiry and indifference.
She plucked at q blood-rose that grew
and dropped over the door.
"Good evening, Mr.. Holliston," she
called out, in a pleasant, musical voice,
81 have been looking and watching
for Alice"
She dropped her eyes as she uttered
these words, which were false, but in
an instant after flashed them full upon
Herman Holliston in all their be-
witching splendor.
Careful and thoughtful, as usual,
Calista," said the young man, spring.
ing to her side and taking her hand.
"Where has Alice gone ?"
"She went over to see Miss Pru-
dence, short time ago, and said she
would be home at sunset; she will be
here shortly, l think. Come into the
parlor, Herman; / have bunch Of
water lilies there, your favorite flow
ers.n
"Thank you, Calista, said the young
man little uneasily; II think I'll 60
across the field to meet Alice; then /
shall be most happy to see the lilies
when we return"
A dark shadow fitted across the
face of Calista Langdon; her eyes
flashed with balefuI light, but she
said, very calmly, as she plucked at
the petals of the blood-red rose in her
hand, ~ presume Alice will be glad
to have company across the lonesome
field"
Herman Holliston ran down the
steps, and walked hurriedly along.
He looked behind him, and waved his
hand towards Calista, smiling pleas
antly as he passed under the great
elm trees which grew on each side Of
the gravel walk. He had gone but
few rods in the green fields before he
met Alice Gray, a delicate bluc-eyed
maiden, with long, golden hair, and
slender, graceful form.
AS they were walking back to the
house, Herman drew the young girl
under the shadow of the great elm
tree; and with the moonbeams strug-
Cling through the leaves, and sitting
down upon them, he asked her to be
his wife. Obtaining her blushing
consent, he placed the betrothsl ring
on her finger. With hearts overflow
ing with happiness, they returned TO
the house, and found Caiista awaiting
them at the door.
"Give us your blessing, Calista,"
said Herman, as, clasp;ng the hand of
Alice, and stood before the queenly
form of Miss Langdon. aAlice has
promised to be my wife," he contin-
ued; land to make our happiness
complete, we want your approval"
Calista Langdon staggered back
into the hall, her face blanching as
white as death but in an instant she
was calm and composed, and held out
both hands to them.
'If that is all you need" she said.
sit shall not be denied you. Ny ap-
proyal is given most heartily" She
drew them into the house as she said
this. "The dew is heavy tonight"
she added; "come into the parlor."
They followed her; and entering
the prettily furnished room, sat down
side on sofa near the open window.
Calista sat down for few moments,
then graciously bidding them good
night, she retired from the room, lcav-
ing the lovers alone.
"Once l thought it was Calista you
Ioved," said Alice, timidly, when they
were alone.
Il was dazzled, at first, by her beau
ty," he replied, "but my infatuation
soon passed away when l came to
know you; and now one ringlet of
your golden hair has a greater charm
for me than all Of Calista's SURPRISING
beauty. She is very kind to you
though, Alice; and l love her as a
friend"
"Calista has changed much of Late"
said Alice; "she once was so cold and
unapproachable, l almost feared her !;
now she is 80 gentle and so kind to
me, that love her dearly"
While these two lovers sat convers-
ing so happily together, the subject of
their conversation was pacing her
room with her hands clenched and her
black eyes flashing with anger and
evil determination.
"They shall never be united" she
said, in hoarse whisper. "Never !
never! will stab her to the heart
first. Herman Holliston shall marry
me yet. If that little dough-faced
Alice had not crossed my path, he
would me mine now. / was fool to
come here, but / little thought Her
man Holliston was man to turn from
my dazzling beauty to that baby-faced
Alice. She shall not be his wife. /
swear it p
Until nearly morning she paced her
room, forming plans to prevent the
marriage of the man she loved and
her pretty cousin Alice. She had met
Herman Holliston the past winter, in
London, and he had shown her marked
attention. But when the warm days
of June came, she left town to spend
the summer months with her cousin
Alice, who was an orphan, and lived
with maiden aunt in q beautiful
lcountry-house.
Herman Holliston followed her,