The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-03-25

From the lear of our matriculation at |
Oxford, Harry Fame and / had been the !
closest friends, and of all the men | had
ever known, he was the most jovial, rat
ting, generous and kind-hearted-in
short. the most thoroughly ga good fsl-
low Courteous and gallant with the
for falling in love, Harry s frank address
and genial lively manner made him
general farorite. I was therefore not
little surprised to see him with cloud of
care upon his face, and look OF unmis-
taxable annoyance at seelng u.s.
.What brilliant house, said Lady
L. as, after making my bow TO the Signo-
rina, seated myself beside her, "How
does it look to your republican eyes, MIR.
Nelson 2" #A-k
"Almost too dazzling" was my COM
mon place rejoinder. Il am bewildered,
I may say intoxicated with beauty"
"Of which our box can boast fair pro-
portion, don't you think ?" continued her
ladyship in low tone, glancing towards
| the ypupg Italian, who was keeping up
lively conversation with Ponfret, while
Harry Fame sat scowling in the back
ground
"Beautiful as starlight night" re-
piled, in answer to her glance rather than
her words. "You show yourself real
benefactor to humanity, by bringing this
lovely exotic from the land of song
"She is the daughter of Tuscan no
bleman, you know" continued Lady L.,
'sand as good and clever as she is beauti-
full l love her as if she were my own
child, and it will be hard struggle for
me to send her back to her father. Those
Italians have no homes to keep their wo-
men in, and a very little heart either
But see, the royal party are about retir-
ing. What fascinating creature the
Empress is + Aud rising as she spoke,
we stood gazing longingly after Eugeuie's S
graceful figure, as she preceded the Queen
out of the box.
When the crowd had become some
what less, offered my arm to Lady j.,
and in company with Percy Ponlfret es>
corted her and the Signorina to their car
riage, which already stopped the way"
Then, after making my parting bow, |
looked about for Harry but he was no.
where to be seen, and concluded that he
wishcdrto avoid the unlnerciful chafhn g
he was sure to get from the fellows Of our
party, soon gave up the search, and
joined Romfret aud Chichester in round
of .'looking IN at the balls aud routs to
which We were bidden.
/ Two clock a. NJ found me trying to
force nay way up Mrs. *. flower decked
staircase, an enterprise which was SO far
crowned with success as to enable me to
get to the first landing, aud no further.
So turned into a dimly>hghtcd conscrv-
I vyh1ch ,,ff l.,u6 Il
which l found led into other gree nhouses,
whose comparative silence aud darkness
offered irresistible attractions to my
weary eyes and ears. Avoiding as much
as possible the neighborhood of the huge
palms and friendly orange trees, which
knew, from the murmur OF voices, shel-
tered many a loving pair, sat down at
last in the most remote spot | could find
devoutly thanking Heaven for respite,
however brief, from noise, light, and gilt
ter.
As sat there, quite hidden by bow
er OF white and scarlet cameliias, / heard
voices approaching, and before / could
make my presence known, was aware that
the Signorina Angela and Harry Fame
were on the other side Of my leafy
screen.
"Indeed, Sisnor," said the soft voice
Of the Italian in very good English, but
with slight foreign accent, You fiattel
me too much. l cannot believe that one
whom you have known SO short time
can be SO important to your happiness. "
"Listen to me one moment, Signorina,
said the voice of my friend, aud the
depth of feeling in its tones betrayed It
me how much Of life and happiness he
had staked on his chances of success with
this woman. 'sFrom the first niomeni
that I saw you, every hour only
strengthens aud deepens my love There
is nothing you can ask that 1 am not
ready to give; no sacrifice you can demand
that I will not make for your sake"
II demand no sacrifice, Signor; will
accept none" replied the girl, and hc1
voice was low and very sad as she spoke
the words. II thank you for your kind
thoughts, and if we had met earlier, per-
haps it might have been; but am net
: quite free to listen to words of love.
Since my childhood l have been betroth-
ed to one of my own people-my fathers
choice for me, it is true-but not the
less binding on that account; 50 farewell,
Signor, and God bless YOU
She was gone before Harry could re-
ply, and almost at the same moment |
laid my hand upon his arm and whis~
pcred:
81 was here accidently, dear old fellow,
and heard it all. Go home now and rest.
I'll be with you at breakfast tomorrow
morning, and we'll talk this cursed mat
ter over with our matutinai."
He was gha.tly pale, but pressed my
hand, and, with feeble attempt at a
smile, answered:
.sAlf right; coffee aud cigars at one y
and then disappeared througha a side door
which led by fight of stone steps into
the garden.
Harry Fane's chambers in Picadilly
| :, Lc cbal e ~,