The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-06-09
THE LAST FILTRATION.
..Eveline!s darlingl what griev

you SO
The shaded lights were glowing
softly on either side of the superbly
carved dressing bureau; the muslin
draperies of the open windows were
futtering backward and forward in
the refreshing night breeze, and the
golden rain of starlight drifted in
from clear and cloudless sky, where
q slender young girl was crooching
on low sofa, her face hidden in the
cushions, and her jeweled arm droop-
ing by her side. While the flowers
in her pale brown curls were crushed
recklessly. and the pink fan lay un.
needed on the. floor.
Mrs. Chester stopped to pass her
arm lightly round the girl shoulder.
'.Eveline, won't you speak to me ?
Tell me, dearest, what this sudden
tempest of grief means"
"Nothing-nothing," sobbed sEve-
line Vane. "Only / wanted to be
alone, and"
ST thought you were so happy
here, my little cousin" murmured
Mrs. Chester. 81 thought life was
one bright dream to you, in this
whirl of fashion and gayety. Is it
possible that have done wrong in
Turing you away from the quiet val
leys where you were born p
"No, Ada" exclaimed Miss Yane.
suddenly throwing her arms round
the neck of her beautiful companion.
Il have been happy hers-it has been
a dream; but oh. the waking has
come at last!'
The waking, Eveline ?"
Don't ask me any more questions,
Ada" pleaded the young girl, with
an accent of sharp despair that went
TO Mrs. Chester's heart. "Go down
into the ball room once more, and be
Us happy as you can. l only want
solitude.
She buried her pale face once more
among the sofa cushions and mo-
toned her companion away. Ada
Chester stood looking at the slight
figure in silence for moment or two,
as If striving to comprehend the hid
den springs that moved beneath this
wild emotion, and then she went
down into the comparatively deserted
dressing-room that adjoined the
thronged saloons.
A rosy. brown-eyed girl OF about
twenty was standing before the glass,
Z adjusting her rich brown hair; she
burned, with bright, welcoming
mile, as the widow entered.
rs that you. Ada the very crea-
ure | was longing to see. My hair
IS in n lamentable state OF insubordi-
patton, and your light fingers are tIe
bnly ones | would trust among these
complicated loops and braids. Just
Fasten that falling tress, won't you ?
Hoop itup with knot of ROSES
theret"
And as Mrs. Chester obeyed, Leila
Grey turned round to touch, with a
caressing hand. the jetty tresses that
set of the lovely widow dazzling
complexion with srch perfection of
contrast.
"How pretty you are looking to-
night. dear, ".she said, with frank
impulse of admiration. "Ah, / do
not wonder that Walter, my soldier
brother. thinks he has won the fair
est jewel that the world affordsl i
only wish he could be here tonight
to see its peerless beauty"
"Hushr' said Mrs. Chester, laying
her hand lightly on her companion 8
arm, as two gentleman strolled, arm
in arm, past the open window, in
whose cool twilight they had for a
moment paused to get the delicious
breeze from the piazzas, didn't ]
hear my own name z"
'Mrs. Chester, of course-whom
else could l mean ?" was the careless
exclamation of one the promenaders.
80, the enchanting little widow,
with the beautiful black eyes, -
drawled the other, Mr. Clarence
Hooper. do you think I've made
an impression on her? One likes to
f1irt with these spicy little fairies that
remind you of Moore's Melodies and
the Arabian Nights"
Take care you don't carry it toe
far"
90, there's no danger; of course,
she won't for moment dream that
I'm in earnest.
tIt seems that poor little Eyeline
Vane believed tnat you were.''
''Ah-to be aure; but then these
country girls are SO dreadfully sus.
ceptible. Eveline was charming as
long as the novelty lasted, but she
must have known it was but firta
ton
Their voices sank into indistinct
ness as they passed on. Ada Chester
stood still; her coral lip curved
scornfully, and a contemptuous spar
. kle smouldered under the dropping
lids of her Castilian eyes. Lelii
Grey looked earnestly into her com
panion's face.
!. $50, then, this accounts for you
pretty little cousins depression. Cal
it be possible that he has been trifinf
with her affections ?"
81 fear it is too true, Leila"
go. why has the law no power t,
reach these everyday crimes ?" ex
claimed Leila, passionately.
"The law cannet reach him, sait
g Mrs. Chester, quietly, ''but there ar
other weapons that may"
.sWhat do you mean, Ada ?"
Nothing" said Mrs. Chester, sud
denly resuming the light and careles
accents that were natural to her yoic
! Nothing at all, Lelie. So Mr.
:. Hoopers considerate friend and com
panion thinks I'm in danger from th
manifold attractions and fascination