The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-03-01
HOW A WIFE WAS WON.
BY s. NJ.


across his breast. At his feet knelt
a lovely girl of scarce twenty years,
whose face was bathed in tears, and
whose voice faltered as she addressed
her sullen-featured companion.
81 tell you nor he said harshly.
"I've not got penny in the world,
and must 60 earn some-n
"Then let me go with you. Oh,
brother would you turn me off thus?
Would you cast me upon the world
as l am?-without trade, and almost
nameless-give me to its snares, and
blows and SCOTS? Let me share with
you, Rowland-let me go to the dig
gings, too, l may get something to do
there"
Il tell you again. no. he interrupt
ed. "Why will you persist? No wo-
man can go where I'm going"
"Then you cast me Off" and she
wrung her hands in despair, and fresh
tears welled from the eyes that were
as deep as the azure heaven.
I'm not casting you Off" was the
snappish reply. Don't I say I'll
come back again?-and I'll be rich
then. I've given You all the money the
old folks left, except just enough to
carry me out there; aud you can get
along somehow"
Il won't stay here if you leave me-
brother"
"Where will you go?"
II know not, and-and-I hardly
care" mournfully.
"Pshaw! I'm coming back soon.
When l return, I'll bring you gold
and jewels. You do make me feel as
if was deserting YOU"
"And so you are-so you are!"
'Bahi quit this. I'm going"
And he started toward the door.
"Oh! Rowland, Northumberland
Take me with you!"
But he was gone.
An unusual silence reigned within
the room, broken only by her sobs,
and voices were whispering the sad
words:
"Alone, alone, alone!"
"The finest woman in the room,
Dick"
Rowland Eyre had returned from
Australia rich man. He came even
sooner than he intended-came with
buoyant heart to show his sister the
grand result of his labors in the gold
fields. The idea of deserving the fair
girl had never entered his thoughts.
What he did he deemed in their mu-
tual interests, and now, after a short
though hard struggle, fortune smiled
upon his efforts, he returned TO find
her gone. All search was in vain.
No tidings, no trace OF the loved one.
She had disappeared as completely as
if called away from earth. Then con-
science tortured him. He recalled
the scene of that stormy night, and
something told him he could have
done better than he did.
Roaming aimlessly about, travelling,
touring, he at last found himself at
Scarborough. Here he formed the
acquaintance of newly married
young fellow-a very eccentric and
self-willed man, by the way, who was
with his wife willing away portion
of the honeymoon at the great resort
and the two became fast friends.
1t was ball night. The immense
saloon was crowded with a gay throng
and hilarity and mirth ruled th,
mystic hour. Rowland had never
seen his friends wife until this occas
ion, and now he found himself wrap
ped in strange, mysterious admira
ton of her.
"My wife. you mean?" inquired
Dick, in reply to his friends exclama
"Yesl Can't help it, if she is you
wife; | must speak my opinion"
"No offense, | assure you," laughed
Dick Barron, good natnredly. Blu
LII wager bottle OF champagne yol
wouldn't guess how 1 got her"
"A romance!'
Rather"
"Do tell me-"
"If you'll keep it secret"
GAS the grave"
"Here 1t is, then: Seized with al
intense desire to visit foreign lands,
impaired the information to m,
fathers family that l would star
shortly on an extensive tour. Oh
tanning consent, money, and well wish
es, started. Five years later, afte
having spent reasonable time at van
ions points of interest on the Cont
nent, found myself in a travelin,
carriage, proceeding leisurely alon
the road to Stehlen on the Ruhr.
had heard much of the place, its beau
ty, solitude, and cheerful airs. Sc
with many expectations, Iapproachet
the oft-praised locality.
"This is not exactly where my ad
venture occurred; l am only giving
prelude, to give you some idea of tn
vicinity l got into. Everything tina
renders vegetation gorgeous was her
spread before me. Beech woods an
oak forests crowned the hills on rigf
!. and left; well cultivated fields wer
teeming with dense crops; the seer
of clover charmed my every inhal.
$ tion, and l seemed unable to get m
fill of gazing upon and feeling th
!. freshness of the lovely scenery ths
6 abounded.
n u was not disappointed. The Wis
amply paid me. Next, on my jouren,
| was going from Wesel to Arnhein
This was not SO pleasant. The coul
try was dull, and | often gazed
careless oblivion of my surroundin.
s'It was night. The horses wei
0 We're tired, and my good nature