The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1872-01-13
TEN THOUSAND POI'NDs.
BY ARTHUR j.. cLEssoS.


4 One bright, june morning, Fret
Stanley came to the insurance Office
where lie was engaged aS clerk. prompt
ly, as the clock was striking nine, AM
found, much to his surprise, forelgr
looking letter on his desk, having
small poISrlit of her majestys Queen
| Victoria, in OHccorner, aud the sub
scription being plainly enough his OWL
name and address.
''Wlat in the name Of wonder car
this means" he muttefed to himself
for bis fellow clerks had not arrived
and proceeded at once to inquire with
ip. lie found cause enough for aston
isllment.
l. The letter Informed him that deatl
4, had removed from this earth. distant
relative, and lie. was heir to ter
thousand pounds sterling, which, OF
proof OF identity, &c., would be trans
lnitted to him.
/ From a poor clerk with small sal
ary. t0a man of fortune. was a great
change, and the young gentleman III
| question, could hardly realize that II
was not dream; but subsequent
events proved it q substantial reality,
and Mr.. Fred Stanley resigned hi
clerkship, and assumed the Character
ofa gentleman seeking profitable in
vestmellts.
/ From all quarters came congratula-
| tions. O!d friends, whose Interests
had not betrayed itself, in any marked
manner for a long time, all at once
remembered how deeply they felt for
his welfare; and new friends came in
great numbers, with sunny smiles and
smooth words Of ilattering congEltula-
| ton.
Fred Stanley. although not quite
twenty-five, had been pretty well
schooled in the ways of the word, and
possessed enough sound sense to pre-
vent his beirg spoiled by good for
tune.
Both parents died when he was q
mere child, their only oie,l and be
had gained, by manly eXertion, and
steadiilSt integrity, a responsible posi-
ton in the office where we found him
ut the commencement Of this story.
There was one who received the
news of the sudden good fortune Of
Fred Stanley, with a chill of s;ldlRss--
almost 4 sense Of pain, and that one
was a young girl. who, the night be-.
fore, bad walked by his side, aud lis
tened, as If under charmed influence,
to the music of bis voice, and after
wards dreamed Of the beau ideal Of
her thoughts, now having existence IN
reality. IL
Edith Wellmln was tile name Of the
young lady referred to; she was beau
titiiI as the most delicate flower, gen
tie asa fawn, and the reason she felt
a thrill Of pain on learning of her low
er's good fortune, was the faar that it
would separate him who held her
never dying love, so fir from her.
lie had not said, Edith, love
YOU" but why need he do So; little
acts Of tenderness, little expressions of
love, have language of their own,
and it is easily understood.
Edith's fears were not without some
foundation, for with new cares, and
new duties, and responsibilities, Fred
Sttnley found his time so much occl-
pied, the new society into which he
now entered so brilliant, that many
days passed before time was found to
present himself at the humble cottage
door Of the pretty Edith Wellman.
Even then he misunderstood Edith's
reticence, and went away with fir
different feelings from those entertain
ed at ttheiF last meeting, and lie Thought
Edith did not care very much for him.
after all, and perhaps 1t was better, If
such was the case.
She felt that he now moved in q
sphere above her own, and she thought
it a duty due him, that they forget the
sweet dream OF the past, although that
bright influence was her life. So they
parted, each to perform the duties Of
the hour.
Business and Its cares occupied
much of Fred Stanley's time, for q
season, and then a lovely being swept
across his pathway, which made his
very existence seem fantastic dream.
Lena Fairly was very beautiful, her
dark, wayy hair fell in ringlets over q
brow and neck as fair as the u,lspotted
snow; and she had brilliant black
eyes, whose glance was dangerous to
the peace Of mind of men more yersed
In the ways of the world of fashioila-
bic life, Than Fred Stanley, and he was
readily ensnared by the winning
smiles, the wit, and brilliant cOnver-
sation Of the beautiful coquette, who
thought him fitting subject to add to
a long list of collquests. So our hero
lived for months, following his ell
cfantrcss, as one IN n dream. They
walked, rode, and sung together until
Fred Stanley, never doubling that his
devoted love was reciprocated, gave
words to his feelings, Offering all he
was or possessed, to the bright being,
who had led him with silvery cords of
attraction, to this step, there to crush
his hopes with d laughing refusal, and
an expression ofass,Med surprise, that
he should for q moment, entertain
such thoughts,
She esteemed her victim, at least she
SO declared, but only as a friend and
pleasant companions
This wasla deeply bitter disappoint-
meut for him who had it to bear, and
the cynical idea, that all the fair sex
were false and deceitful, took posses
sion Of young Stanley's mind. and he
sought lN business pursnits-soniewhat
neglected Of late-to forget the infatu-
alton Of the recent past,
Business prospered under the new
stimulus Of personal attention, and
the fortune received but year before,
was greatly increased but the possess
sor found tflat riches, by themselves,
do not bring happiness,