The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1872-11-01


ed to the ''circle, were expected t
attend. "Tlle Quimbys, the Brodailes
the 'fhomases, Mr.. Ducey and Florry
and Tom Lacy, besides DR.. Gmntol
aud his cousin Miss Ellis, and ever Sc
many more, are going" said the
widow, sand we shall have such a
splendid time"
"0f course you will go John," said
Florry.
"0h, Florry, cannot"
"Why?"
"Because-becausen - hesitatingly,
II have business of importance to at.
| tend to at the store"
"0h, but you must 90. JOHN per-
suasively. 1T will be the last picnic
Of tile season, and-and you know |
am going away soon. Caspar insists
on my naming an early day for our
marriage, and you must 90 just this
once for my sake; and You need re-
creation--yon are working too hard.
And 50 he promised to drive over to
the grove about the middle OF the after
noon--''in time to partake Of the re-
freshnents and come home with the
rest. he said. Why Florry insisted
on his going, she scarcely knew.
Maybe she thought he was working
himself to death, for he had been look
ing unusually pale and thin, Of late.
AT last the all important day came,
as most days do, and an eventful day
it was, to three at lease. Just after
dinner the picnic party took up their
line Of march to the grove, looking
not unlike battalion of hotel wal
tiers, laden as they were with plates
and platters, cakes and biscuits, and
all the other things that so to make
up the delicious array that we see
spread out on a picnic table, to please
the eye and tempt the palate.
FloTy waited a long time for Mr.,
Ducey. He came at last very late.
offering no excuse for his want of
pnnctuality, and acting, she thought,
very strangely altogether.
He seemed in unusually good spirits
that day, however, and all unpleasant
thoughts were banislled from her mind
long before they came in sight Of the
grove, with its gay banners fiuttering |
lnerrily from The wide spreading |
boughs, and the jolly party gathered |
in happy groups here and there, or
wandering in couples through the |
shady labyrinths that extended on
every side, showing transient views,
through the swaying foliage, Of the
green hills beyond.
BY and by, John Myers came, look
Ing flushed and heated !; but whatever
was passing In his mind, he maintain
Ell an outward calm.
I'm so glad you've come !" said
FloTy. "We're enjoying ourselves
finely."
just then word came that the re-
freshlhents were ready.
'sIhere's Nab l'ownley over there,
John, and she looks lonely. Go and
wait on her to the table, and the little
witch flnttered of, leaving him no al
but to obey.
The company were just taking their
places at the refreshment stands, and
Sl0Ty stood quite still, looking anx-
orlsly around for her escort, who had
lot vet returned. Five minutes more
Tipped by, and still he did not come.
me felt grieved and mortified. lie
lad never been so neglectful Of her
'efore. What conld he the matter.
"Where is Mr.. Ducey!" some one
sked.,
His protracted absence was now for
he first time generally noticed.
Eyes, where Is hep" from q chorus
( voices.
s'What have you done with your
avalier, Florry!" Mabel Townley
roke in. lyon must learn to take
etter care of him IN the future"
"IIe Is old enough to take care Of
iihself" said FlOrry lightly, yet with
red flush OH either cheek.
"very true," whispered Mrs. Digby
ontidentially to Tom Lacy. He's
I've and thirty, ii he's a day. 10
hink Of such a chit Of a girl as Florry
'astle marrying man old enough to
& her father--the very idea."
Mr.. Lacy, as In duty bound, agreed
18th everything the enchantress said.
"We must find him." said some
ody. He may have met with an |
ccident." !"
Aud a dozen Of the party haStened
# In various directions through the
rove in search of Casper Ducey. One
the girls found him out at last, as a
tile scream attested. and they were :
4 around him In moment.
He was lying PROSTATE on the (
round, Just within the shelter of q {
title thicket not far away. with his $
res closed and his face looking swol- /
u and purple.
''lyhat Is the matter?"
as he dead?" (
"ITe's in q fit rs f
Three or four Of the girls screamedd
a breath; the gentlemen looked at :
m hard then at each other, but said :
an 49,. N..A. Il =.