The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-03-29
Hiram Ashbury gave his room mate

I1lTath AsHpuiy gave his sFooHi-HlaIe
one look of quizzical inquiry; then,
with low, perplexed whistle, walked
out. He was not bad fellow. Con
ceit was his greatest failing; and
realizing now that the matter was
with his friend a serious affair he felt
troubled.
"Confound it," he murmured, walk
ing ruefully down the broad avenue
leading to Miss lrving's home, "if I'd
kept out of the way he'd have been all
right. She really liked the boy till
she became friendly with me, and now
it's all up with him-and with me, too,
for Tn bound in honor to ask her TO
marry me; and-psbaw! l believe 1
think more of Brown now than l
do of her. / almost wish she'd refuse
me-"
In this magnanimous but very un-
comfortable mood he was ushered in.
to the Irving mansion. The daughter
of the house was alone, and as charm
ing and beautiful as ever Under Or
dinary circumstances he would havo
taken the matter lesurely, leading up
to 1.-The question" by graceful and al
most imperceptible degrees; but to-
night he was in no mood for that sort
OF proceeding. He was unselishly
blue. The proposal seemed an un.
pleasant duty, aud one which he de-
sired to get over rs soon as possible.
Very awkwardly he bungled over the
state of his affections, and in consider.
able depression awaited her aiiirma.
tive, for the possibility of being reius-
ed never once presented itself
"Ha! ha ha" pealed merry laugh
at his elbow, and, turning in astonish-
ment, he beheld Miss Irving fairly
shaking with merriment. You really
must excuse me, Mr.. Ashbury, but
this is so funny!' and off she went
| again.
Her companion was astonished, but
he was also relieved-this wasn't SEN
timental, ut all crents-and the young
lady was greatly astonished 10 see the
light which overspread his coun,e-
nance 1t her unexpected gayeiy. She
had supposed he would exhibit annoy
ance, but nothing of the kind was VS.
ible, so she went on:
I've been expecting this for some
timc-but, Mr.. Ashbury, you have
lost your bet; I'm not won"
He had forgotten the incident 10
which she referred, and seeing his per-
plexity, she said:
Don't You remember betting with
Mr.. Brown on your matrimonial
chances with me? He said: Ten to
one you come out loser Well, he
has won. | was in your private Office,
waiting to see you about some law
trouble of my dress s-maker-by-the.
way, that was why l desired you to
come that cyening-and so | heard it
all. | must confess to being amused. f"
And here she went off into another
laugh, in which, much to her surprise,
her discarded suiior joined heartily.
Under other circumstances he would
have been mortified, but he was real
ly noble, and his friends suffering had
made very deep impression.
Il can say, served him right to
Hiram Ashbury," he said, with smile
But, Miss Irving what can | say to
Tom Brown, who leaves for Australia
next week."
She looked up in startled inquiry,
and was about TO speak when the door
was opened, and in was ushered Tom
Brown himself.
Il can stay but fve minutes" he
said, hurriediy. Il have just left one
OF our firm, and it IS arranged that 1
start for Australia tomorrow; SO, as |
was passing, l thought l would just
run in and say Good by"
Miss May Irving grew white to the
very lips. But he never noticed.
Hiram Ashbury did, however, and de.
termined then and there to take the
matter into his own hands.
Brown" said he, abruptly, "do you
remember how you bet me ten to one
against my matrimonial chances with
Miss Irving? Well, you're the winner.
I've been refused"
Brown flushed to the forehead. Miss
Irving followed suit, and Mr.. Ashbury
rose to go. Very cordially he shook
hands with the couple left behind, and
well, suffice it to say the firm OF
which Mr.. Brown was a member sent
another man to Australia; and to-day
nobody stands so high in the opinion
of Mr.. and Mrs. Tom Brown as Hiram
Ashbury-Bachelor.