The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-01-14
Ulle Albauap gae9i5trr.
Mabel sIoore's stratagen.

Moore herself looked not unlike Per-
sian enchantress, as she stood there lean
ing one hand on marble vase, with the
gold of the acacs plumes hardly brighter
than her hair. and quiver in her heavy
white lids that hid her deep blue eyes
She was tall, and finely formed, with
very regular features, cheeks tinsed with
a faint color, and an unconscious hau-
teur in the poise of her slender throat
and shoulders Mabel Moore was born
to be an heiress, and gracefully she full
filled the mission of her sunshiny hfe
She was not alone, however, in the flow
cry fragrance OF the twilight conservatory. :,
Ernest Beckford was leaning against
the door-post, twisting and untwisting
long spray of jessamine with sort OF im-
patienI rapdity. He was a tall, manly
fellow, with bright auburn hair, and
face that you " ere einvoluntarily compelled
to respect aud like.
"Mabel," he asked, almost passionate
ly, "do you know that you are asking
impossibilities ?''
Am n
81 cannot 60 to Australia without
YOU"
You can, Ernest, and you will
''But, my darling, only think of it--a
years exile from you p
..Will it be any easier for me to en-
dure, Ernest p she asked, calmly.
.Sometimes fancy, Mabel" he re-
sumed, impetuously, THAT you don't care
for me. else you would never be SO will
ing to let me CO.
.Ernest ~
"Aly dearest, I know | am unjust;
but"
"Now,' said Mabel "let me under
stand just what you wish ne to do in
this matter
81 want you to marry me the day
after to morrow, and to 20 out to AUS
tralia with me in the ship that sails on
Saturday"
"a very reasonable wish, said Mabel,
laughing. But, Ernest, you know l
will never marry you while your mother
refuses her sanction and appreciation to
tho match.'
She does not know you. Mabel.
'sThat makes no difference. | shall
never enter family where | am not vel
coined by every one of its members
but Just consider how unreasonable
you are, my own darling, and how utter
ly and entirely groundless are my moths
er's objections"
She fancies me hollow, heartless
woman of the world, does she not! She
is unwilling to trust her sons happiness
in the keeping of q coquette, who knows
nothing beyond Italian songs and French
values 7"
'.Mabel, am sorry 1 ever allowed you
to read that unreasonable letter.
But 1 am glad. No, Ernest, | have
too much pride aud dignity to marry you
unless your mother gives her full and
free consent"
Then you do not loye me, Mabel p
81 do love you, Ernest Beckford, bet
ter than l like to acknowledge to my
self"
mabel" he urged, tenderly, "let us
cut this Gordiap knot by the exercise of
our own free will. Become ny wife /;
give me the right to take you with me oD
this long, long journey"
Mabel Moore shook her head.
"Let US wait and see what time may
bring FORTH" she said, archly. "Aud
now leave me; remember that the ship
sails On Saturday.
II can't possibly go in that vessel
said Ernest; 1--WE many things to do ,"
.But if you do not go on Saturday, you
will be obliged to wait another fortnight,
and your business is SO important over
there
"Yes, l know, but
|. 81 must get that companion for my
mother-she will be entirely alone. Mrs.
Carter told me she knew some one who
! would take the situation, and | shall have
| to go over to Claphams to see her about
it tomorrow"
| Don't let that detain you, Ernest. l
think l know of young lady who would
make an excellent companion, and | will
send her to Beckfordvile. y
"Can she read aloud, and has she pa
ticnce and forbearance, and will she be as
meek as Moses 2"
81 am sure she will try
eSeud her, then. But, Mabel
"Well?"
at strikes me you are anxious to hur-
ry me off next Saturday"
/ ernest" she said, in voice that
auivered little in spite of all her self
control, "you are misjudging me. | want
you to do your duty-to go and to at
tend to the affairs of your poor uncle,
whose reason has deserted him. And
more than this, l want you to learn lies
lesson of patience and endurance. The
sunshine will come at last, if you can only
wait unrepiningly."
i Little prophecies said Ernest, draw
ing her fondly towards him, Il except
your auguries, and I'll bear up as man
fully as human nature will allow. No one
ought to be discouraged who is sure OF
your love. But oh. my darling, how Of
fen shall 7 remember this sunset and
your face turned towards mine y
s'Do you think ! shall ever forget it
Only wait, Ernest, and all will come
right in Gods own time" she answered
with her hand in his.
And thus they parted.
X X
"Going our of town, Miss Mabel and
SO early this season y
The pretty lady y's-maid stood aghast in
her occupation of putting away fine laccs
in a satin-lined box of veiped sanda
wood"