The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1872-07-05
Graeia's ranlc.
BY HELEN I. JENKINS.

slam, Grac.a," said Mr.. Sanford.
Gmcia bad been speaking in
terms of tie highest reverence of
olc Of tie great lclormers and ora
tors Of the day. She tore apart,
ex1itedly, tie cluster of blossoms
size held, her face lluslicd with in
digration. Mir. Sanford cool!y
watched the effect 1t his words.
At last she locked mp, confident
y, ard said
Mr.. Sanford, it is very unkind
to distust peoples motives as YOU
do. | wouldn't for all the world,
see people with your eyes
" DO you not mistake wisdom,
aud nice critical analysis fer dis
trust?" said Sanford, COMPRISING
his lips, and peering with searching
eyes at Gracia over the head of his
cane, which he held to his lips, re-
tlectiyely. lie had been standing
sometime rear the gate ready to de-
part, but the unusual conversation
held him, lie Lad never before
heard this modest girl express lcr-
selfso firmly. He was astounded.
1t was lew phase Of her charac-
ter, and lie was studying it. lie
liked Glaeia ; lie admi ed her iltel-
ligcrcc, Ler beauty, her sincerity,
and the modest Difference She had
heretofore shown him.
lie had for some time Lad it in
his mind to make her his wife-he
was OILY waiting fitting oppor-
tunity to introduce the busine-S and
Lave tie matter arranged. Gracia,
though formerly much attracted to
this man by his mental at,aihments,
ard his high moral character, Of
late had been displeased by GER
tian de>potism Of opinion, which he
frequently presumed to exercise.
She was getting a positive dislike
to him, as she suspected that he
entertained secret but profound
contempt for women,
She remembered he Lad never
praised a woman--thp trivial he
scathed; TIE Intellectual he gracious
ly sneered at; the gifted he con-
dcmned as vain and ambitious in
tie use of their gifts. Grac:a had
gradually made these discoveries,
and silently recorded them. Never
till today had she venturcd to
openly question the excellence Of
his opinions.
lie still stood piercing her with
keen gaze, whi'e disdainful smile |
sat ON his lips. lie was vexed that
this woman whom lie had conde-
scended to love should dare tocriti-
else him
Gacia, mmindinl of his vexa-
ton, said, looking calmly into his
face,
81 believe, M. Sanford, there is
higher lockout upon human con-
duct-a kinder aid truer one than
yours, and | am sure you defiau1
yourself even more than you III
jur, Others, by your severe julg-
ments."
Suddenly she added: II am
going to write q Fable"
Excessive wisdom is apt to find
vent in that way,' lie said with a 4
half smile, half snecr.
Withhold your sarcasm, sir,
and come aud hearit," she said,
bowing, and retreating up the walk.
Sanford hurried down the street,
blind TO the outer world, SO yexcd
was he with Gracia's impuderce.
"She isn't tile woman for my
wife, after ALL" He thought. "She
isn't pliable and eoniiding enough"
Yet, when he remembered how lit.
tie most ofthe women he lad kown
had pleased him, he cohcluded she
would faSeto lo-and she would
grow less selfasserting, he thought,
when slehad o firm masculine Ean,l
over her. y s
Gracia stood il her room with q
curious smile on her taco, She
sharpcncd her peEcil, saying, lalf
audibly, ".A sweet husband he
would makp! We're a.e-both
of us, | think, but I'll make q sure
thing of it :" and she sat down to
her fable. After many days (heI
would seem ID no haste) Sanford
called. lie was gracious, and en-
tcrtaining lie asked Tor the Fable,
seeing G'racia would not introduce
the subject. Without hesitation
she produced the manuscript, and
seriously, without apology, blashes, |
or beggipgs Of lenielcy proceeded
to read, merely saying. Don't be e
alarmed at my selection ofsymbols."
A donkey, which lad been at
work All the morning, stood eating
u. us V-L.IfalvAk ,,.nn e,rcvNnvN1.AA