The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-11-15


now the cushions are piled unudily,
the soia.rug is trailing on the floor
Books, newspapers, magazines, and a
hali.made muslin tunic are Uttered
about on the different chairs; and,
worst of all, in her progress from the
room Miss Ward had upset n light
wicker stand of flowers, which has
stood in safety just inside the door
during the whole of Summer.
Miss Paulett has just fulfilled por-
ton of her mission in life by clearing
up after her niece, when that young
lady comes un6ulating into the room.
Her hair is tousled still. but now ac-
cording TO certain rules; and the big
jet dagger stabs il with n welldeiined
aim. She has put on fresh laces and
fresh ribbons. The laces are not real,
and the ribbons are poor and flimsy.
but her youth aud beauty triumph
over these facts and cause them to
look bright and becoming.
"Oh you're back, Aunt Catherine
I'm glad OF that; l want you TO go
out on the green for stroll with me. ."
From her bedroom window Minnie
had seen manly torm-the only
manly form in the place-,akc the di-
rec,ion of the green. Hence her de.
sire for exercise. She would look up.
on it as wiliul disregard OF a provi-
dental opportunity if she did not go
out now.
My dear Minnie, just consider that
l am only just back from Balsiugharn,
and that I'm rather tired. Do let me
have my tea first"
why did you go? What could
induce you to go rushing off in the
heat OF this afternoon Minnie feels
disappointed aud so II caks GROSSLY.
Il went 10 get butter and fruit y
pointing 10 those delicacies.
butter and fruit Minnie shrugs
her supple shoulders. I'D rather 20
without. any day; why didn't You
send that grumpus, Bridget II she
walked more she wouldn't puff me
out OF my mind nearly every time she
came into the room, with her hard
breathing"
Miss PauIet, laughs. Bridget had
her work To DO, and what has put ynu
out, my little lady? Have some tea,
dear -
No, thank you. aunt" When
Minnie first came here the still
young aunt had requested that her
nere would call her Kate, but Minnie
very decidedly refused 10 do it
being the niece and years the young
er OF the two" she sagaciously deter.
mined.
No, thank you, aunt; there's some
thing unholy in tea at this time of day
unless you dine after il. I'll go out
Oh the green; you can join me by
and-by." Then she half repcnts her
self OF hsr rudcnrss, aud adds, II shall
like SONS of that cream m-ciecse for
supper, if | may have it,"
You may have what you like,
dear; yes, will join you by-andby,"
the aunt says, good
So Minuie's conscience feels clear,
and she rings for Bridget to bring her
hat aud blue llama shawl, the ends oi
which she will presently toss over her
shoulder i'll a iaunty way that has
neither the merit of being pretty nor
uncommon, but that is immensely
popular with young ladies'.
Minnie walks on perfectly satisfied
with herself. her head wobbling up
and down occasionally in little tiutter-
ing paroxysms of conceit. The color
derpens in the face that she holds
very much mp and little on one side
as she steps on the green, and the we'll
opened blue eyes dance. For there,
a hundred yards ahead of her, is the
manly form reclining on one of the
seats.
Unluckily the manly nose is turned
away from her that it may snuff in SO
much of the breeze as there is. Min
ME has come to Binham on an unac
knowledged mission. II is her
bounden duty to herself, she fells, to dc
something definite during this cam.
paign. The only something detin
ite" that girl of Minnie's caliber
cares TO achieve is matrimony.
Her object is well before her now
but it would hardly do for her TO GO
up and sit down by him and let him
see that she has followed him on pur
pose. She turns slightly, therefore
aad saunters along skirting the green
until she is on the other side of it.
quite on his line of vision.
And now she knows that her work
is done.
In a few minutes she hears footsteps
behind her. Another minute and the
manly form is by her side, taking of
his hat and looking ridiculously
pleased. 1t is Mr.. Bonghton, tho
curate in charge of Binham, a good
looking man of one or two and thirty,
Up to within the last twelfthmonth
Mr.. Boughton had steadily advocated
the celibacy of the priesthood. But
since that time he has modified his
views, and this change has been at
tributed in great measure to his in
creasing intimacy with Miss ] aulett
Now, Binl,am did not grudge him his
particular attentions to the handsome
fresh-hearted, unaffected woman. On
the contrary, Binham declared thai
they would be delightful pair. But
it was intolerant to the daring of the
stranger within the gates who fiirted
at him with such effrontery.
lie is quite conscious that she il
flirting with him. He sees that she
puts herself at her best as soon as HI
approaches her; that she makes hel
eyes sparkle, and looks admiringly al