The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-05-26

thought. And yet 80 sweet, he own
ed, when he had turned away and
plunged into the cold and darkness.
Darrell was waiting for her in the
drawingroom.
You're like a poem tonight, in
all that ruby-red--like an Eastern
song"
THANK you," yesey said dream
lily.
.'I couldn't imagine you in gray" !"
he went ON half to himself, "or in
anything somber, or worn or poor. !"
He had begun to study the girl in
earnest now. 'Yes, you are made
for the rarest and best, yesey: to
shine in satin and diamonds"
Satin aud diamondsl Vesey re-.
membered the man she had left at
the door. He was out in the winter
night, among the hungry and naked
now, she knew. She had caught bis
half uttered sentence. And she was
made for satin and diamonds!
"Is that all?' she asked, wistfully.
"Ali? Is not that enough? 1t
would satisfy most women"
But tonight it did not satisfy her.
Down the beginning Of the long
street was n black, ow-browed house,
like many others here, with shop
in the lower story, or more properly,
two, since one window was occupied
by matchmaker, and the other dis
layed pins, needles, spools of cotton,
and such small wares. Above were
two or three rooms with slanting
sides, whore a deformed girl-a pitt
full object TO look at-living with her
mother. earning enough by sewing to
put bread into their mouths, and
scanty covering upon their backs-no
more. Vesey employed them; for
pity mostly, since her work could
have been better done elsewhere.
She stepped out of tho sleigh here
at dusk one night. and ran up the
stairs, a roll of work in her hand.
She had TO wait moment, 80 she sat
and talked with the girl, who was
young but not like herself at all. 1t
made her happier in the happy lot that
had some times wearied her. Itmade
her thankful for her strong, young
life, which she had never named
among her blessings, and it shot a
gleam of pleasure through the girls
dark eyes.
It was q poor room, with paper
u4s1A1 -
terms, upon the walls; with the bare
boards of the fooryawning, ris-
ing and falling uneasily; with
the dim light struggling through
uncurtained windows, that peered
from under the caves like eyes from
overhanging brows. In one of these
windows, forlorn canary in bro
ken cage-a brown little bird, with
rufied, unkempt feathers-chirruped
feebly, like a moan. L low voice. in
q continuous murmur. fell upon Ves-
ey's ear. It seemed TO come from the
next room.
What is that?"
"That'm?" The girls pale face
grew bright. Its the minister. Mr..
Hayes. He comes and prays with
mother, now she's sick" The light
died down again.
The little room became, all at once,
like church, solemn and still, as
the low voice rolled on and on, like
river far away. The girl laid down
her work. Even the bird forgot its
moan.
The voice ceased. She heard his
step upon the stairs. It was but o
second; he could not have reached
the street, when shrek came from
the room he had left. The girl sat
like one paralyzed. Vesey threw open
the door. A swift line of light ran
all adown the bed. It burst into q
flame, in the midst of which the sick
woman struggled. The overturned
candle at her head told the story.
It was as an instinct-there was no
time for thought-which made Vesey
drag the square of carpet from the
floor and press it down upon the
flames. They shot out into her face.
They seemed to catch away her breath.
They licked her arm. They strove
and fought and well-nigh overcome
all in an instant, that seemed hours
to the girl, who threw herself upon
the bed smothering the flames with
her own weight.
They were conquered at last.
The silent, breathless struggle was
over.
"If some one would only bring q
light? Oh. dear! what shall I dol
DON'T" to the deforned girl. who
shrieked and called upon her moth
er. Vesey had not heard the strong
step springing up the stairs-the
opening of the door. Some one
stood beside her in a moment, lamp
in hand. It was Paul.
"Is she dead?' gasped Vssey,
shrinking from the bed.
He threw back the scorched blan-
ket that hid the motionless form.
"No not dead; but I think she has
tainted. Or the fames--I must 60
for doctor. Stay here, if you are
afraid. Oh, hush! hush!" to the
frightened girl: sit is nothing, ]
hope. Get some water for the lady;
and sprinkle her face" he said TO
Vesey. Then he was gone.
She did as he had told her-wai..-
ing, watching the blackened mass.
she dared not touch. It was fright
full, with that still, white face shining
out of the darkness. Was it death!
No; there was q faint quivering of
the eyelids-that first sign of return
| ing conciousness-a feeble moan.