The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-07-19


ton returned home, improved in
health, and anxious to see his adopt
ey daughter. He knew she had
grown older, but so little do we re-
fleet on the changes that time must
bring, that when inquiring for Estella
Gray this was the name the child
had lisped whom questioned), as he
waited in the parlor of the seminary,
n lovely girl Of seventeen opened the
door and entered the room, he could
scarcely believe his eyes.
Yet it was she indeed--the child,
he had left grown into womanhood.-
Estella was seventeen and Harry Boil
ton thirty five. There seemed to be
but little difference between their
ages after all. Both felt this, and
their manner towards each other was
more reserved in consequence. A
lovlier creature never met Harry's
eyes. AS he walked homeward he
said to himself:
"What if, after all, / have been
rearing wife for myself?"
Then with half laugh he mutter-
ed to himself:
mo, ] am too old for her-it 10 all
folly
Folly or not, the thought remained.
He paid Estella such delicate atten-
ton as suitors do. He anticipated
her every wish aud did his best TO
appear in an agreeable light. At
times he hoped, at times he feared,
until calling one afternoon Ia holiday
unexpectedly, he found Estella tete-a-
tete with young friend, Ernest Clark.
1t was good excuse for intimacy,
but the knowledge that Estella had
another male friend so much nearer
her own age than himself, annoyed
and angered Harry. He thought
they loved each other, and that he
would have to give her up.
II viii go back to Europe said he
II will forget her. Wedlock is not
for me-"
And on the impulse of the mo-
ment, he ordered his baggage to be
packed, took passage in the next
steamer for Europe, and went to the
seminary to bid Estella good-by.
She came in smiling, but his moody
looks made her grave at once. She
put her hand in his ard he shook it
coldly and sat down beside her and
said:
Il have come to say good-by. /
am going to Europe n
"Mr. Bolton TO Europe? Are you
i'll AGAIN."
"No.n
"Will you stay long"
Forever"
The great tears swelled IN Estclla's
eyes, and she put her hand on her
heart-she evideatly could not speak.
II would advise your remaining
here until you are year older-un-
less, indeed, you marry before that
time. In that case you will, of course,
receive the necessary funds, and GER
tain sum shall leave in my bankers
hands for that purpose"
Il shall not marry sobbed Estella,
'there is no need of any such provIs-
ion.'
Harry smiled sarcastically.
THE proposition has not come,
them he said.
Estella's head dropped lower.
Il fancied you were engaged to this
young Ernest"
Estclla sobbed again.
Il care nothing for Ernest, nor he
for me. We are only mere acquaint-
ances."
Harry caught her hand.
''Is this girlish evasion" he asked
sternly, "or the truth 2"
Harry Bolton looked into the tear
flushed face, and took the other little
hand.
"Estella," he said. "do you guess
why l was leaving American"
She shook her head.
because / could not see the girl ]
love married to another. Am / too
old to love p
80, no."
"Too old to be loved?"
"You are not old at ALL"
"Estella can you love me?"
She made no reply. Harry drew
her closer to him and repeated the
question; then the answer came in the
lowest, faintest whisper:
Il love you better than my life; it
would kill me to part with YOU"
A week after he sailed for Europe,
but not alone. His lovely bride went
with him.