The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-09-06

it."
"You know her parents are both
dead. She lives with her fathers sis
ter"
II know. John died insolvcnt, in
spite of his sharp practice and averice.
Arabella only lived few years after
her husband"
Another long silence followed
Then Herman spoke.
"Uncle James, l cannot give Fanny
up. But | promise never to bring her
home as my wife until you consent to
the marriage. Will you see her?"
mo, no! Wait till l die, Herman.
l won't live very long, DR.. Hodges
says"
"Uncle James ?" @
Il did not tell you before, lad, for
fear of paining you. Doctor Hodges
said last week that l was failing. l
made him tell me. l may live a few
years longer; l may be called any
day"
"And was worrying you," said the
young man, penitent aud fearful.
mo, lad; l like to know all you
are doing. You will como home OF;
ten 7"
DO you think / will go away
again? My place is here"
Il should be very glad to have you
Herman. II is hard TO find an honest
overseer when the farmer himself is
sick. But your prospects in town
Herman 7"
Let them 60. Uncle James, do
you think could leave You now?-
Yon have been more than a father TO
me; let me now fill sons place to
you"
"And Fanny"
ave will talk about that some 9th.
er time. Tell me how farm matters
stand.n
The conversation that followed
awakened still further the more kind
ly emotions of the young mans heart
and his remorse for the past year.
absence IL seemed like d desertiou
when he heard OF his uncle loneli.
ness; of how badly outdoor matter,
had gone, in hired hands; of the waste
the domestic difficulties and losses.
Il would not have told you all this
if you had not offered 10 stay" tn,
old man said.
Il should have stayed before, had
known you were so Ill. You have al
ways been about when / came over. "
Il have never been confined 10 my
room. Still l grew weaker. l wish
we had a good servant. Eliza is very
wastefnl, impudeEt, and think, dis
honest"
IL will drive over to Tourney TO
morrow, and see II good servant can
be found, uncle
But the first call the next day was
not in search OF servant. but To the
doctors, and Harman Wilson came
out of his office with a vey grave face
81 am glad you are TO be at home,
the doctor had said. Though the first
relief may not be as complete as you
would desire"
"What do you mean? You said
that est and freedom from care o,
responsibility might prolong uncle's
life tor years"
Il say so still. But the first reac
ton from the long strain and worr,
may be serious. He has kept mp by
sheer force of will; now, when the
may rest, he will probably be i'll fol
many days. wish he had a good
servant. Eliza is not a pleasant
nurse, I should judge. She looks tc
me as if she had lived upon lemon,
and pickles all her life"
Il am going to look for good ser
want to-day
"Wby don't You take the old mar
a nice little niece!"
"All in good time. doctor. / mus
say good-day. l have to tell Mr.
Grey OF my new plans, and find ser
want"
"Good-day, then. Send for me, if
am needed"
The day seemed a long one to Jas
Wilson, watching for the nephew who
was like son in his heart. Eliza
suspecting the new arrangement tha
threatened to disturb her mnch-abuset
reign, was slamming doors, and max
ing kitchen,ars which was trying t.
the invalid's nerves. A dinner, badl,
cooked and served with bangs of i'll
nature, did not improve matters, ant
made the arrival of Herman's com
panion almost as welcome as himself
For he had found servant. whom h'
escorted to the house with pardonabl'
pride, and introduced as
"Apnie, uncle. She has been high
ly recommended to me, and l thinl
will suit U.S."
Il will try to make you comforta
BILE, sir" said the new girl, modestly
and Uncle James decided that thu
sight of her face and sound OF hel
voice were sufficient for that.
She was not pretty, though her facs
was very pleasant to look at, and hel
voice was still more pleasant to hear
She was neatly dressed as became hel
station; and before she took off ha
or cloak, she made the room seen
like another place.
Uncle James wondered how afew
light touches here and and there, !:
dropping of the curtains, little twitcf
of the tablecloth, could do SO much
"This is the living room, I suppose,
she said, presently. Il think shal
ask for an hour or two alone to-mor
row."
1Just as you please
"Wili you see Eliza now ?" Her
man asked.
"Yes. Is she in the kitchen p
Il have told Anne said Herman