The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-05-30

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to determine his fate had come; yet
how could il te done The very
thought distressed him. Gould be-
dare he ask herp Could she know
how much her answer would mean to
himp Ifshe said "Yes,n what bappi.
ness, success; how much to live for
II she said "No"-he didn't dare to
think.
The more he thought over IL, the
more he hesitated; and the more he
delayed, tho harder IL became. Al
last he determined it should be done.
Clio met him as usual with q pleas
ant smile. Jack tried to smile, but it
ebbed off over his countenance, and
was lost in his "solenn expression .
just as little wave is lost in a larger.
Clio saw something was going TO hap.
pen, and, woman-like, OWNED intui-
lively what it was. But he had kept
her waiting In suspense and uncertain
ty so long that now, when il was
about to come, she determined she
would not help him 10 the least. At
length Jack began.
"Clio, I'm having considerable bus.
mess now"
"Yes," said she, very demurcly,
with quiet little nod; then relapsed
into silence without another word
Jack fidgeted and thought, "Why
don't she say something, and keep q
fellow on ?"
"I'ye got so now I can support my
self and"
I'm right glad TO hear IT," said
Clio.
Jack felt that somehow she was
sporting with him. and flashed up
"You never heard that didn't sup.
port myself. did your"
'T-no! But them
.But then? Yon know, Clio, tha,
ever since was fifteen"
"Neve: mind" said Clio" "for Il
seems as though have heard a story
commencing like that before, Jack
With that Clio smiled. and Jack d
momentary displeasure vanished; YET
there was left on his mind the undc
fined impression that, after all, he had
been sold. But the ice of reserve
was broken.
ITO be plain, Clio, came down tc
tell you that ! love YOU"
Here came long pauJe. Jack
looked at everything in the room ex
cept Clio. II was getting exceeding
iy embarrassing to Jack, when there
came a quiet, "Well 7" from Clio.
"And TO say" went on Jack, al
though no Interpretation had occur
red. "that ! am in condition 10 ge
married"
That's very desirable situation
for any young man, am sure" sale
Clio; and then she laughed that sam,
low, ripping laugh he loved So
Poor fellow why couldn't he bav,
interpreted the love for him which
rounded and melIowed that laugh p
But no; he grew desperate, and will
the thought that she was sporting
with him, just little angry.
| II might have known how il woul'
end. Any fellow is fool TO dangl
round girl for three years" An,
he strobe toward the door. His han,
was upon il. II might have know
you wouldn't have married me-"
"But Jack" - he turned - "yol
haven't asked me to-"
/ Haven't asked you TO p Jacl
caught the look in her eyes. Th
next moment she was in his arm,
and her arms were round his neck
and--wcll, the fact is, Jack never di,
ask the question.
| After the first happy moments ha
passed, and the ecstacies OF the &C
knowledged mutual love had efferve.
ced-ihat word seems to express th
idea about as we'll as any-Jack bs
gan:
Darling. ! have loved you eve
since the first day in the grove. Ho,
long have you cared for mop
Since l saw you standing so lionel
and looking SO down-hearted unde
that pine tree"
/ think after that reply Jack kisse
her. / know / should had / been h,
The other day visited Jack an
his wife. In the yard in front of the
home / saw small pine tree, whic
they tend with the greatest care.
asked where he found it. A smil
and look of peculiar Significant
passed between him and his wife .
he answered, 'In the grove"
|