The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-05-26

| 4<Cs Ah0 WAQGA JSeA 0aeAA ~ ssS
fire. There--se." She seated her
in triumph. The gentlemen gather
ed in a knot at little distance.
''Are you really going home to.
morrow" Vesey said, sitting down
beside her.
"Yes. I have done all my shop
ping. My mauve poplin came home
to-day. There is nothing to wait for
now, and Darrell does not care to
stay. The opera season is over, you
know"
So it was for the gayeties Of the
town he had fingered week after
week, she thought, with q sudden
sinking Of the heart. Oh, how blind
she had beeni His careless laugh
came across the room just then Us il
to mock her.
you'll not come back before an
other season. She could not hide
the pain that quivered in her voice.
But the limp little woman crushed
into the depths Of the armchair by
her side did not heed it.
NO" she replied, simply, "I sup
pose not.
The gentlemen joined them.
"Sit down here by me, said Mrs.
Winslow to Paul, motioning 10 q
chair at her side.
ut is of no use, whispered Vesey
to Darrell, with hysterical sound
between a laugh and sob.
"What is of no useY" He followed
her away fiom the fire.
Trying to avert grim fate. Your
mother is determined to discuss
church affairs with Mr.. Hayes
What will she say to find he is not in
the succession at all? That he simp-
ly cares Of the souh for our butcher
and baker and"
"Canndlestick maker" suggested
Darrell.
"Yes, for aught I know. have
tried TO keep them apart. but"
Extremes will meet. ! believe
there is an attraction between the
poles. But what portend, this in
vasion? Are you about TO assume
a stuff gown and plain bonnet? Or
do you propose to bring him into the
true church? Not bad addition, ]
should say" fixing his eyes upon
Paul, who had won the respectful at
tention at least, of his rather light
minded audience in the armchair.
what were you saying?' Vesey
asked, absently. Her eyes had fol.
lowed his. How he chanced to be
here? Oh! father has met him oc.
casionally, and so asked him to din
ner. ! was sorry he came tonight. u
"AhT Darrell looked down upon
her with q conscious air. She had
spoken truer words than she intend.
ed. She went on, as though she had
not heard him-as though the color
was not flaming her face.
Because knew you would have
little in common, and thought il
might DO awkward for US all. 1,
does not matter" Nothing did OF
ever would any more. 4 gray wall
seemed to shut out all beyond this
night.
"But I am not to be defrauded oi
my rights. l am to take you out to
dinner, am l not? You surely won'i
throw me over at the last. Vesey?"-
He bent his head close to her face.
Il don't know; you can sit upon
one side and Mr.. Hayes upon the
other, if he will" She moved ava,
towards the others; leaning over his
mothers chair she pretended to
listen, smiling assent to what she
never knew. She was thinking how
pleasant she had hoped it would be
with only Darrell and his mother
here--they four around the fire ir
the twilight, Darrell by her-of the
words she had thought he would
speak. There was ring hanging
upon his watch-chain. II fitted her
finger. He had tried it once in Jest.
"Vesey!" called her father. And
then she knew the others were risins
that dinner was announced.
"I hope you and Mrs. Winslov
have become friends" she said t.
Paul, as they were going out.
lone hardly gets so far as that in
a half-hour's chat" he answered
pleasantly.
"And just before dinner" added
Darrell. from the other side. "That'i
the time to make enemies, Miss
Vesey."
"Then 10 hasten to be served gen
tlemen, lest you quarrel"
And the causeY queried Darrell
in her ear.
| She turned away from him to Paul
| And yet what should she say? Wha
do people say to minister's? she asked
herself helplessly. And to youne
ministers above all? Oh, if he hac
not come! If he would only GO! /
they would all go and leave her alone
with her disappointment and shame
| How she passed that long dinnel
hour she never knew. She talked O
trivial things as we all do, though
beneath the outward calm our yer,
souls are seething. She dared no
speak of others lest she break thi
crust. Paul judged her. She hal
found her lowest depth, he said
when she Glanced to name ribbon
Her spirits rose; buoyed by hi,
light words and laugh perhaps
When they were back in the drawing
room and the others fell into the
quiet, desultoly chat that follows
dinner, she alone could not be still
Her cold hands refused to lie quietl,
in her lap, as shapely white hand
/ should. Her feet beat an impatien
waltz under her gown. She glanced
at Darrell. He had thrown himsel
back In an easy chair, his hand unde