The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-04-14
THE MARSHES.

w ~ "iea aS oiA sho cAcufslOuf tull
afternoon?
II really am determined, as hav.
already remarked" and tho young
lady certainly looked very determined
indeed, as she stood firmly planted
on her two little feet by the window
and drummed emphatically on the
pane.
! John Rutlege stood just behind
her. and looked at her in o half-sad
half-amused condition ofmind look.
ed at her, too, so earnestly that she
| presently flushed up to tho tips oil
here ears, and turned upon him like q
tormented kitten.
81 wish you would not stand star
ing at me so, Mr.. Rntlego it's very
unpleasant.
| The young man flushed in his turn,
for her tone was Enthusiastically in
earnest. and he said. II will no:
look at you, Miss Gorlen, since il
annoys you-although 1 had no in
tention of staring, as you term it ; be-
sides. l know very well why you will
not go with US.
"Do you Well. Tn sure don t
care. l don't go because I don't
choose to so !; I suppose I can do as
I like"
"I perceive the real reason for
your not going c.ming up tho steps, !"
rejoined Rutlege; 80 will not troub-
10 you longer. Good-morning Miss
Gordon. and stepping to the door,
he took his hat and passed out, just
as servant admitted tall, stylish
gentleman, at whom he certainly
stared with any thing but friendly
glance.
Lille Gordon had started forward
at his last remark, but, seeing from
the window its occasion, sho held
her tongue, and awaited the entrance
OF the visitor in q very disturbed
frame of mind.
The gentleman entered tho parlor
unannounced, as though he were fa-
Iniliar with the promises, and accos-
ted Lille warmly before taking q
scat by her size.
She was SO evidently perturbed by
something that he remarked upon it !;
but obtaining no satisfaction. he pres
emily said, 81 leave town this after
noon on unexpected business, and
shall remain away couple of days !;
so we will have to postpone our ride.
"Oh, WE'LL" replied the young
lady, 1T is of no consequence / can
go on the excursion which / had in
tended to give up for the ride. i
dare say l shall enjoy myself quite
as we'll"
This reply was certainly no; calcu-
lated to CRAFTY tho young man. and
it's effect was quite pcrceptibie. He
shifted his position unsasily. II
Gm really very sorry, Lille, hat l
must go to Boston by the three
o'clock train. Is that Rutlege fellow
going on the excursion?
"Reslly. George, I don't keep any
account of tho movements of that
Rutlege fellow as you elegantly
term him ; and can not see what his
going or not going can have to do
with you-or me-"
"Well, excuse me. / am always
SO annoyed when l meet him here
that | can hardly restrain myself.
Let US drop him. Now about the
ride this is "Wednesday, and 1 shall
be back by Friday. Suppose we
take it then 2"
Lille lsughed-a pretty, coquet-
ish laugh enough-and rising, said,
"Wait till Friday comes / never
could make up my mind half 80 far
ahead and, besides, your important
business raisht detain you in Boston,
you know. would not like to have
you break two engagements with me
the same week.
"You are too hsrd with me, Lille !;
but see you are not in pleasant
mood this morning, 30 I must sub
| nit"
No woman likes to be told she is
not in pleasant mood, and Lille
showed her entire disapproval Of the
remark By rising, making a very
sweeping bow, and saying, Good
morning, Mr.. Hartley. A pleasant
journey to you. and pleasant mood
to me when you return" And then
she disappeared through the door,
and ran singing up stairs.
Mr.. Hartley sat for q moment
looking decidedly aggrieyed; and then
with mutter of something which
he never learnt in the catechism, pos
sessed himself of his hat and cane,
and departed.
Lille Gordon had not been spoiled
but she had just been permitted by
her parents to remain sufficiently un-
/ DER the control of her animal spirits
and ncr little willful ways to keep
her out on the influence of any other
control whatsoever.
She was now eis.hteen AMI hav-
| ing followed her own guidance in the
matter of her love-affairs ,ss she had
in most others, she had engaged her
self to Mr. George Hartly, and in
formed her father of the fact, to thai
worthy gentleman's great dissatisfac
ton. Not that there was anything
against the person in question, who
was well Known in society, and who
was currently reputed to be possessed
of independent means, arising from
a large inheritance well invested
But Mr.. Gordon was business man
. q merchant in high standing, and b.
did not relish the idea of giving hi
only daughter to an idler-one who
confessediy, was engaged in no per
suit whatsoever, other than the lav
ish expenditure of his large income
Mrs. Gordon was nonentity. ex
] cspt in the fashionable world an