The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-11-10
THE ALTERED CHECK.
BY MARY HEwINs BURNHAM.
CHAPTER |.

| on, anu, saying sue W NOulu NaLk up ny
the flower border, dismissed the ser
wants to the stable, paused an instant
till the carriage was lost to view, then
swiftly turning, she followed the two
| figures whose appearancein the shrub
| berry had SO startled her composure
\ few steps brought her TO the little
lake, whose edge the grand walk en-,
circled like a huge gray snake. BE
hind the walk ran cypress hedge
and the lady passed swiftly in the
shadow OF this hedge to the rear oi
the gentleman and lady, who had
stopped at rustic seat, and were the
objects Of her wrathiul curiosity.
The girl was not more than eight
cen, and the strong resemblance she
bore TO the listener behind the shrub
berry, the rich robe that fell about her
the diamonds that glistened in her
ears and on her tiny fingers, told
plainly she was the daughter of the
house. And certainly the presence ol
her companion was high-bred enough
the face noble and the carriage
proud enough-to suit even the taste
of the ambitious Madame Ciarice
But the tall. aristocratic young man
was nevertheless the private tutor oi
a neighhor's son. aud already some
casua! remark among the servants had
reused the mothers suspicious. She
had spoken to Edith Of the intimacy
which might cause idle tongues to
connect their names rs she would
never like To- hear them, and the
daughter, with much of her mother S
temper, had replied bitterly. Though
the discussion was dropped for the
time. and Edith had seen less of the
tutor, still the heart of Madame was
not quite satisfied. Edith was 50
headstrong. and Granville Dunbar was
so handsome she reasoned, that il
really was extremely natural they
should be fascinated. But beyond q
Irritation the ambitious mother vowed
il sholld never 90.
And now Is she crouched behind
the hedge, where every word was
audible 10 the listener, she set her
teeth and fingers together in n rage a
she heard her daughter, on whose tu.
ture she built 30 many prond hopes
over and over again assure the beg
@arlv tutor that she would never
cease To love him, and whatever oppo'
sition was in store for her. she would
brave everything and become his
wife"
Then the deep, loving tones of the
tutors voice fell on her outraged ear
as he planned for the future, with the
slight figure OF Edith clasped close to
her lovers protecting breast.
Clarice Spencer fairly held herseli
to prevent interrupting this exasper
ating interview, but by powerful eli.
forts she restrained herself, AZ she felt
sure interference would hasten tho
catastrophe of this damning marriage
which was being planned under hei
Indignant maternal nose.
No-some strategy was necessary
to separate the lovers, which she wa,
equal to. But no open opposition
would ever effect her purpose, ant
with this determination she smoih
cred her wrath, gathered her silk
about her, and quietly stole from the
spot that held the unsuspecting lovers
An hour later, when Edith passed
to her own room, she spoke for mo
ment with her mother, who was ap
parently absorbed in a new novel.
Edith" said the latter lady, "thi
book has filed me with desire to re
visit Europe. | really believe, if
can arrange my affairs with my agen
and Mr. Dunbar, you and ] will ge
away early next month"
pray, what can Mr.. Dunbar hav
to do with your intentions" qncs
toned Edith.
Il will tell you," pursued Madam
Clarice, Il am going to propose h
shall take the house | have empty i
the village, and open an academy o
Is or 20, besides our three. 1t vii
make me far more comfortable abroa
to know that Edwin and John an
Burty are all together under Mr.. Dur
bars teaching and care" Edit
thought long upon this plan Of he
mothers before she slept, and go,
erned partly by her desire to go t
Europe before she was so situated
perhaps. as to be unable TO 60, an
partly by the desire that Granvill
might have the opportunity OF bein
something more than an humble IL
tor when she became Mrs Dunbar, a
she was determined one day to b.
she finally concluded that it was jus
the thing for her lover, and made II
her mind to persuade him to view
in the same light.
While Edith turned over her mott
er's proposition, that mother sat brood
ing in her own room over her deepl
laid scheme for furnishing Dunbar
presumptuous hopes, the young ma
himself was writing In an upper rool
Of old Winters house, to his dearl
loved twin-sister Nell, who was the
at celebrated seminary, kept ther
by the generosity and self-denial {
her brother. Upon the large fool
cap sheetof his weekly letter, he d.
scribes to Nell his charming Edith
he dweft long and fondly upon tn
love he hoped to see grow up b.
tween the two.
And the sister to whom this lette
was addressed was well worthy tE
confidence of her devoted brothe
Ellen Dunbar was no common gir
: either in personal or mental attril
utes.
She xvac c+ranroIv I;la bor bro+bo a