The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-12-08
Mildred Day"

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friend was upon the point of depart
ing. There was pain mark upon
his face, and his lips quivered; but he
spoke calmly though with pala ble
effort: "You seek to win the love of
Millie Day. You may succeed. If
such should be the result Jasper,
pray you to be true and faithful; for
she is nm angel and is worthy Of all
love and honorm
"Never fear, old fellow. I'll make
her Il good husband if | win her
Half a millionl Zounds Isn't that
worth working fory"
And with this Jasper Groome
turned from the Office, and Harry
Cowper bowed his head upon the
edge of his desk.
"Shall l put up the books Mr..
Cowper?" 2"
Harry looked up, and saw the old
delivery clerk.
"Ah,-you here, Phipps?"
I" Yes, I've been copying permits
Shall / put the books in the sate!"
"Ies, you may, if you please. !
must go round and call for my sister
on my way home"
And Harry Cowper left the store
And that night. when he was alone in
his chamber, his thoughts were sad
and painful. lie had loved Mile
Day long, long time; but he had
not yet ventured to speak of his love
for reason already made known
But now a change had come over the
spirit of his dream. He asked him
self if he had decided rightly, and his
own sense of manly honor told him.
Yes. He felt that the maiden had
been lifted away from him, and he
dared not approach her. What had
he, poor clerk, with an orphan sister
to support from his scanty earnings,
to do with Offering his hand to the
hciress of half million? II would
be simple beggary.
Time passed on, and Harry Cowper
was punctnal at his desk, aud ut
home. He went nowhere else. On
the first of January his salary was
raised five hundred dollars year
lie had looked forward TO this event
with high hopes. lie had once
thought that upon a salary of two
thousand dollars he might venture to
ask Mile to become his wife But
the bright dream had fled. Still he
hailed the increase as a blessing. as he
could now do more for his sister.
A month had passed from the time
of the arrival OF the attorney who hail
come TO place Millie Day in posses
sion Of her fortune, and as might be
supposed, suitors for her hand had
been plenty AMI persistent. Harry
Cowper was on his way home when
he fell in with Jasper Groome.-
Friendly saluiations were passed. and
for time they chatted upon various
light topics. At length jasper said:
by the way. old fellow, it's all up
with the heiress."
Harry started and grasped for
breath.
''She has refused me, plump. square
and flat. What dye think oil that =
''I.eiused your" repeated Harry.
regaining his breath. alas Mile
Day refused you Z"
"Yes. guess she's after higher
game. There is n perfect army OF
suffers in her train, but think she
looks with the most favor upon old
Corydon."
"Do you mean Warren Corydon,
the banker"
"Yes. He's worth million and a
hall. Depend upon it, she has her
eye upon the Fifth Avenue."
Harry's only response to this was
"Pshaw!' And yet
But he would not reflect upon it
He went home aud tried To forget all
about it, and the more he tried TO for.
get, the more he remembered and re-
ilected.
A few days after this, Mr.. Sturgis
the senior partner OF the firm in whose
employ Harry served, entered the
counting-roo and accosted his book.
keeper:
"Mr. Cowper, my wife bade me
give you this" And he handed him
daintlly tinted and embossed envel-
ope.
Harry took it, opened it, and found
within an invitation TO attend party
at her house on the following even
ing.
1T will be very quiet and sersi
Bile parity" said Mr.. Sturgis, land my
wife is anxious that you and your
sister should honor her. think we
may count upon your presence!
Mrs. Sturgis had been true friend
to both larry and his sister, and she
was worthy and estimable woman
and after little consideration hi
said he would go.
The large drawing-room of the
| Sturgis mansion were brilliantly
lighted and the assembly was select
not selected upon the basis of fashion
but called with appreciate care from
the realm of intellectual worth. Mrs
Sturgis had taken charge of Harry
sister, and our hero was proceedin.
to join friend whom he had discov
cred in another part Of the room
when he met 8Iillie Day. Sh'
changed color when she saw him, ant
for the moment it appeared to Harr!
as though she would have avoided
the meeting, but she presently rallied
and greeting him with smile. He
greeting was very brief, however, ant
with hurried step she passed on
and joined the old banker, Corydon
No wonder that men gazed admir-
ingly upon Millie Day as he moves
past them. She was beautiful in ever,
sense. The father might pray tina
his daughter could be like her; tn
| brother might pray that God woul,