The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-08-25
THE TWO SISTERS.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

E
II don't want to be unkind, Wal.
ter" said Deacon Dean, composedly
brushing the stray specks of dust off
the: sleeve of his trim blue coat, with
a hand that did not quiver one hairs
breadth; "but don't you see how very
impracticable this engagement would
bep
Walter Rochefort stood leaning
against the open window, with his eyes
humid and dim, aud his cheeks
blanched. The truth was, Waiter
Rochefort had for months been build
ing a bright-pinnacled castle in the
sir-a castle full OF hopes and dreams
and shadowy aspirations. And, with
the dryly spoken words of sensible,
worldly wise philosophy, Deacon
Dean had just smitten down its foun-
dations, and razed its glittering towers
into the dust. W
"You see" said the Deacon, with
slow, good-humored emphasis, '.youre
young, and SOS she. And you havn't
cent ahead in the world, and she's
been used To an easy life, and ant no.
ways fitted to be poor mans wife.
So guess it isn't worth while TO dis.
cuss the subject just at present"
He paused an instant. and then, per-
haps melted thereto by the anguish so
7 Iainly written on the young mans
mute face, he added, more indulgently:
Perhaps one o these days., when
you've made little more headway in
the world. well think it over again !;
but, Walter Rocheiort, | don't want
my girl iettered by an engagement
just now. There's plenty o. time,
plenty o time"
So spoke worthy Deacon Dean,
putting out huge clouds of smoke from
his amber-mouthed pipe, and poor
Walter ltochefort went home planning
within himself how TO get rich within
the shortest possible period of time.
Went home-that is, went to the
village hotel, where he lived while fin
ishing the task OF surveying, that bad
brought him down into the little coun-
try nook where he had lost his heart
so summariiy.
How the dreary, melancholy even
ing passed he had no idea, but as the
clock struck ten. he started from his
sad reverie, to hear two or three men
talking on the piazza, few PAGES OFF.
"lt's paying place" said one indif-
ferently, fitting his chair backward,
''and place where smart man would
make money, to say nothing of fair
prospects. But then what man worth
would care TO bury himself
alive in Central China Z"
Il would spoke up quick, hoarse
voice.
The man laughed.
Il don't think you know just what
sort OF dismal, God-torksaken place
it is, Mr.. Rochetort"
Il don't care If it were the Black
Hole of Calcutta" said Walter, i'm
IF it's place where one
can grow rich Tn your man p
"Then suppose we talk it over to-
gethcr," said the other, moving his
chair n little closer to the window,
just within which Walter Rochefort
sat.
just week afterward, Deacon Dean
incidentally heard that Mr.. Rochefort
bad left the village.
"Well. I'm not sorry" said the Dea-
con to himself. "Not but that he's a
nice young fellow; but | think my
pretty Melissa II do considerable bet
ter than Walter Rocheiort."
Melissa Dean looked sentimentally
when her father told her of
the young engineers abrupt depart
ure, but poor Sylvia, the younger and
palmer sister. burst into tears.
"Oh, Melissa, l wonder how you
can take it so calmly"
"Where's the use Of taking it any
other way ?" demanded Melissa, try
ing the effect of new blue ribbon
against the waxy pink of her lovely
round cheek. walter Rochefort was
very pleasant, but there are plenty
more young men in the world"
Poor Sylvia brushed away her tears,
felt as If she were bold and unmaid-
enly, and the sore spot yet ranked in
her heart.
"Mr. Rochefortw p