The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-05-03

Mt the half opon door.
IL have got into the wrong road;
will you be kind enough to direct me
the nearest way to the village?' said
pleasant voice, and stranger step.
ped in.
She rose to give him the required
direction, but stopped short, while he
came quickly forward
"Paul!o
"Mattien
His face lighted up, and he reached
out his arms TO draw her to him
With surprised, panied look, she
drew back.
'Mr. Gardner, this is a most unex-
pected meeting"
MIR. Gardiner he repeated
"Mattie, what do you mean?'
Don't callme Matte, if youplease,'
she replied with dignity. "My name
is Phillips"
"Phillipsl" he echoed. care You
married.
"These are strange words from you,
Paul Gardner, did you think l was
waiting all this time for another wo-
mans husband?-that was keeping
my faith with one who played me
| false so SOON"
played you false. | have not. |
am come rs promised you. The
two years are but just passed, and |
am here to claim you. Why do you
greet me thus? Are you indeed mar
ried, Matte Gray
She was trembling like an aspen
| leat. For answer, she turned and
pointed to the cradle. He came and
stood before her, with white face and
folded arms.
Tell me why you did this. Didn't
YOU love me we'll enough TO wait for
me?"
She went and unlocked a drawer,
and took out newspaper. Unfold
ing it. and finding the place, she point
ed TO it with her finger, and he read
the marriage notice.
"What of this?' he asked, as he
met her questioning, reproachtul look.
30, Matte! you thought it meant me.
II is nay cousin. | am not married,
nor IN love with any one but you"
Are you telling me the truth"
she asked in All eager husky voice.
And then, as he replied, 1T is true, -
she gave low groan and sank down
into char.
80, Paai, forgive me. 1t nearly
broke my heart! didn know that
yoa had cousin by the same name
/ ought not to have doubted you bat
Il was there in black aud white-and
this man, my husband, came aud /
married him
With bitter tears, she told him how
il all happened. With c!enched hand.
he wake! to aud iro, then stopped
beside the cradle. and bent over the
sleeping cii,li. Lower he bent, I'LL
bis lips touched its wee forehead
while he murmurcd softly, to himself,
"Mattics baby.'
Thea he t,ifned, and kneeling he
fore her said, in low voice, Il for
give you. Matte; be as happy As you
caa." lie took both her hands in ms,
aud looked steadily, lovingly, INTO her
face. His lips twitclied convulsively
is lie rose TO his feet. Il have no
right lIcre-you are another mans
vile. Good hye-iod bless you"
He turned, as he went out of the
door, and saw her standing there in
the middle oil the room, with arms
outstretched. lie went back, and
putting his arms around her, pressed
one kiss on her cheek, then left the
house, never looking back.
And she went down on her knees
beside her sleeping baby, and prayed
for strength to bear her trial They
never saw one another again.
Seventy years old! Her stalwart
SONS and bright-eyed daughters re-
member her as loving and devoted
mother, her gray-headed husband as Il
most faithful wife.
"Neyer was a woman more patient
and kind. and as good housewife as
ever was he said, as he brushed the
back of his old brown hand across
his eyes while looking on the peace
fui face.
And not one of them ever knew OF
the weary heart and broken hope that
had died i'll her breast. nor ever
dreamed OF the sorrowful load she
had borne through life.