The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-02-23

enough to want to tease him q little,
and test my power over his heart.
love him, may tell you of it, dear,
without being bold, or unwomanly,
because you know we have often talk
ed about his liking me little-and-
oh, Kate, answer me! don't be so cold
and cruel Surely you can't be asleep
Where are your lips, cher amieyg" she
coaxed, playfully. Il shall soon break
the magic spell of silence that binds
them. You know you never could
keep vexed with me more than five
minutes at time. Why! where's
your hair? Where
She sprang suddenly to her feet
with piercing scream-her wander
ing hand had touched the dark, heavy
moustache on which Colonel Nor
daunt prided himself so specially.
He strove to catch the hand-to
detain the frightened beauty long
enough to plead his cause in earnest,
impassioned words, but in vain. Fear
seemed literally to lend her wings.
Away, like frightened dove she flew,
uttering wild, hysteric screams, and
fairly falling into the arms of the as
tonished Katy Mordaunt, who was
Just coming III from the starlighted
garden with both hands full of dewy
branches of honeysuckles.
"Yalentin," she exclaimed, dropping
the spicy blossoms, "why, what is the
matter? What can have startled you
so dreadfully!"
"Oh, Katy Katy sobbcd Valcn-
tin, clinging to her friends shoulder
with a nervous vehemence, 'there is
man in your room-a robber hiding
I-under your cashmere shawl on the
sofa. Oh, l am nearly frightened to
DEATH"
Katy's serene, brown eyes dilated n
little-then frightened into smiling
archness.
a robber!" she repeated, with
provoking calmness. Nonsense,
Valentin, you are mistaken. 1t was
only Jack. saw him go in there not
half an hour ago. The idea of taking
our Jack for robber" katy's laugh
ter rippled merrily at the mere fancy.
Only Jack! In the midst of her
terror, the possibility had never once
occurred TO Valentin Bruce's mind.
Only jack The Forty Thieves
themselves would have faded into
nothingness before the mere idea OF
Colonel Mordaunt having heard oil
these pleadings and unconscious ad-
missions. One moment Nalentin felt
as If every vein throughout her whole
frame were filed with fire-then she
grew white and cold "a marble. Life
and strength seemed cbbing away
from her, and for the first time in her
life she fainted.
Katy Mordaunt quietly sprinkled
scented water on her forehead, and
began to unlacc the white muslin dress.
As she did so, bunch of flowers fell
from Nalcntin's bosom, aud Katy
smiled TO herself as she recognized
the moss buds that had been so haugIi-
tily thrown out on the lawn that very
evening.
'I'll keep them for Jack she said.
"Ah, Falent;n, you'll be my sister-in-
law yet"
How shyly the blue.eyed damsel
stole into the breakfast room the next
morning. She would cheerfuily have
tasted all day long sooner than en-
ter into the presence OF the tall Colo
mel; but the dreaded first interview
must be got over sooner or later, so
here she was, with downcast lashcs,
and cheeks dyed as deep pink as the
rose-colored wrapper she had on. No
more naughty airs and graces-no
more cool composure. She was at
Colonel Mordaunt's mercy, and she
knew it.
He was standing at the window,
looking out upon the morning sun
shine that bathed the short, velvety
grass before the piazza. But he turn
ed quickly, as she entered, with a
bright, welcoming smile.
"Valentin," he said, gently, twas ]
dreaming last night, or did hear you
say that you loved me! Oh, my dar.
ling, tell me that it was no dream!"
She came shyly to his arms, and he
knew that she was his-hls forever.
The courtship is drawing to ter
mination now-the white satin dress
is finished and the wedding cake iced
to perfection, and the white roses are
in bud that shall soon be woven into
bridal bouquets; but Valentin is still
extremely sensitive on the subject Of
cashmere shawls and twilight conf
dences. And Katy Mordaunt-saucy
little elf that she is-declares that
Miss Valentin Bruce took advantage
of its being leap year to confide her
sentiments to the dark-haired lover
whom she delighted to torment.
IT'S PURPOSE.