The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-09-23

much Pm worth, Emma % said he,
as shat evenings chat drew to
close. $50, since you prefer big
brrly fellow like me, You needn't
he afraid Of poverty thinning me
down"
"But have nothing" said I.
eyes, there is one thing you can
give me, and that is all would ask
of any woman. want your conf
dence, SO that if anything should
thrust itself between us-whateyer
evil tale you should hear of me
you will love me rs ever, and marry
me in the elid.''
"It's not what a man has been,
but what he is,'' l replied. Ifyou
had served a term III the State
prison, or Were any other repentant
sinner, it would be all one to me.
| certainly wouldn't give you my
selfif l couldn't give you my conf
dence."
ssThat's it, Emma; that's just
what l want. Now don't say any
thing about our engagement to any
one; leave me to break it out m
my own blunt way. Mind, we will
wait just year. Now take my
fat, dumping face between your
two little hands once again, and tell
me that nothing shall part usp'
He seemed SO much in earnest
and pressed me to him as though
he dreaded some one would snatch
me away.
ssPaul, some one is coming." /
cried.
At last I made my escape and
went mp to the children. was
their governess. They were or
phans, and were now spending
| Thanksgiving with their grandma
and UEcIe Paul.
| sat opposite him at tea-time !;
! he never looked brighter, handsoner
| or happier. suddenly letter was
brought in. watched him as he
read it. l knew every change III
his couutellarce SO well. But what
a scowl. | had never seen anything
like it III his face before.
ss-The Percys are coming, the
deuce take them - he exclaimed
ssOh, | remember asking them, !"
said his mother. 81 thought you
liked their daughter, and it would
be pleasant surprise for you"
sAh, yes, Eea-I forgot" he
added, hurriedly, and Immediately
/ his countel,ance resumed its former
expression.
The next day the visitors came.
! | watched them !itm the window,
and was quite taken with what i
saw of the daughter. About twen-
/ ty, blonde, stylish, easy aud Iat,,r-
al. l happened to be at the head OF
the stairs, looking down, when she
/ and Paul met and l was aston
ished at the warmth OF their greet
/ ing.
sNyhy did you stay away SO
long, Eva? Did you think | could
content myself apart from you 81
81 was dying to eome, beloved
don't say another word-but how
long must we be separated 20
81 can marry at any lmoment,' .
said he, smiling.
| heard no more 1t was soon
dinner time; he was all attention
] to her, and probably forgot me al
together.
I hat night, after all had retired
restless and miserable, unable to
contain myself i'll my room, stole
down stairs. A vague idea i'm
pressed me that they were still
strolling on the piazza IN the moon-
/ light. # ! met any one, I would
say had dropped my gold tllimble,
and thus avoid suspicion.
A light came through the crack
of the parlor door, and 10! there /
plainly saw the lovers enjoying 4
1 delicious tetc-o-tete; she sitting On 4
low stool at his feet, with her head
on his knee, while he played with
her golden locks, that waved grace
fully over her snowy shoulders.
The sight of her beauty attracted
me for 4 moment SO simple was
her manner, she was like some
artless school girl, looking innocent
ly into his face, aud listening atten-
lively to his words.
j My blood began to boil. could
have bounced upon him, and have
torn his hair out by the roots. Moth
ing would have been too desperate
at that moment, but the thought
| that hf. yvf,uld Eunw that he had