The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-03-29
TWO MEMS MISTAKE.


the lower the valuation, the lower the
individual, according to my way of
thinking. People are pretty apt to
know their own worth in this world of
ours"
"Gou are In a certain sense correct"
returned his companion, rehectively.
"But, after all, Ashbury, l think-in
fact know-you carry the thing too
far, in so far as you impose your own
opinion of Hiram Ashbury, Esq, upon
all acquaintances. Now, there is hard
ly one among all yor" numberless la
dy friends who, according to your own
expressed opinion, is not willing to
put her life and affection into your
keeping at the first word ofinvitation.
"Pshaw, Brownm and the> other
laughed in a provokingly assured sort
of way. "Do not let what | said about
May Irving worry you. don't mean
to take advantage of any weakness in
that quarter In the first place, l
don't love her as l should, and in the
second place, have too much regard
for our friendship, to interfere where
you have any interest"
"Bahpreturned the other. impatient
ly, while the hot blood which suff'us-
ed his face told its own story. For
heavens sake say no more about that
friendship. Respect is not least among
whatever feelings | may entertain to-
ward Miss Irving, and L do not be-
lieve she would give her affection TO
you or any other man unsought.
Furthermore, | give you free permis-
sion to act as you would were /, Tom
Brown, in no way concerned as TO the
result. You have more than once in
sinuated that under other circum-
stances you would go in and win
Now, if am the circumstances, just
blot me out Go in and ten TO one
you come out loser"
Done" said the other. "But,
Brown, it's sure thing-I wouldn't t
say so before, but know when girl
is fond of me-Td be fool il didn't.
Why, it was only an hour ago | re-
ceived billet requesting my presence
this evening, as she was 10 be all alone,
and wished to see me on something
important of course, that was only Il
dodge. I've seen such before, but /
guess I'll happen in according to re-
quest" with which the gentleman
locked up his desk, put on his over
coat, and taking his friends arm walk
ed out of the Office.
No sooner had the two figures dis
appeared, than out from the inner Of
fee walked, with very indignant mein,
light-haired, tlue-eyed Young wo-
man, who approached the Office boy
after this wise:
did you forget to tell your master
that was waiting:"
Tie boy looked with a start; then
half-apologetically, halfsurlily, said.
"He hurried me off ON an errand,
an l didn't have a chance to remem-
ber."
With a very curt little nod, the
young lady received this explanation
and walked away; but that her mental
condition was not Of the pleasantest
was very evident. "To think" she
mused, waiting on the walk outside
Ashbury's law-office for an uptown
stage, ito think of my hearing that
horrible conversation! What an idiot
Hiram Ashbury Is, to be sure. and
Tom Brown"-with very dainty lit
tie blush-"isn't much better. The
idea ofhis betting about me! But
III pay them both up, or my names
not May Irving" with which laudable
determination, she tripped into the
waiting bus, and was borne swiftly
along towards home.
That evening Mr.. Ashbury called
on Miss Irving, and was received en-
Enthusiastically. About five minutes
after his arrival, Mr. Brown was ush-
cred in. He had no idea of vacating
the field for the benefit of his assured
rival. but it must be confessed his re-
ception was funny one. The host
ess stammered, and blushed, and
seemed really confused by his appear
ance. Truth to tell, after that con-
versation of the afternoon, he was
the last person she had expected.
Ashbury gave him a triumphant
wink. "She don't like our tete-a-tete
interrupted" he thought, with salts.
faction.
Browns reflections were about Of
the same order. evidently I'm one
too many" and in a very few mo.
ments he had completed bis call and
left the house; and, after that evening
frequented it only at. long intervals.
If Miss Irving desired to punish
him, she didit effectually. He felt that
he was wrong, and .Ashbury was
right; he upbraided himselfcontinually
for his fooishness in thinking any
thing else, and ended by growing thin
and misanthropic. Ashbury, on the
contrary, was in the best of spirits
His payment was long in coming
He had not yet proposed-not be
cause there was any doubt as to the
answer he should receive, but because
as he confidently informed Brown, his
unwilling listener, "it was too much
trouble"
| May Irving was about as usual; only
once in a while, when Browns name
was mentioned, her eyes had strange
look, which Ashbury failed to fathom
and, upon his semi-occasional calls
there was perceptible a sort of con
straint, which both noticed, without
accounting for.
AZ last one evening Ashbury made
up bis mind to have the thing settled
as be explained to Brown.
I've learned to think great dea
of May Irving. I find that there i.
considerable truth in the saying, Love
begets love- and think it will BIZ