The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-09-05
FRANK PRESCOTT'S COURTSHIp.

4 bO pShllSO ~ WV llhN SlOW
dull in the west, and the plaintiv,
crickets were at their vesper-songs
when Julia Morton came strolling VI
the wide path which led to her grand
mothers old-fashioned homestead
Somebody was waiting on the porcl
to meet her, and. then in that din
light Julia could recognize the silver
haired old lady. with whom she hat
lived since childhood, and her hear
gave little nervous bouud, too, al
she saw what stern look was on thai
usually placid face. 20
"Don't scold, grandma" Julia said
in her most conciliating tones, as she
assembled the steps Of the porch. q
know it's rather late, aud / ought moi
to have disregarded your wishes about
coming home earlier, but"
"Now that you are home," Mrs
Morton interrupted, with a coldnesf
in her voice that was almost like haU,
teur, perhaps, Julia, you will not OBJ
ject to few moments of conversation
with me in the sitting-room."
"Certainly not, grandma; but please
don't continue to petrify me with that
stony look of yours. Have l been
committing anything dreadful in the
way of crime by staying out little
later than usual?'
Mrs, Morton deferred her reply to
this question until they stood together
in the sitting-room. Then, as the soft
lamp light fell on her wrinkled coun-
tenance, lending deeper severity to its
angered expression, she said:
Il could readily excuse you for so
slight an ofense as the one which you
seem to suppose I am annoyed at
No, Julia; your disobedience is of a
far more culpable nature. Ralph
Olmstead has been the companion Of
your walk this afternoon-ah you
may well start and look guilty. l did
not believe you capable of such de-
ceit, Julia-such wanton, reckless
disobedience, too, of my express COM
mands. Do not attempt to deny this
charge; you were seen walking on the
L--road this afternoon with Mr..
Olmstead. My information comes
from a reliable source" tq3iss cad
"That of Mrs. Ellis" retorted Julia,
"the incorrigible gossip and tell-tale
We met her this afternoon, l remem-
ber, and Mr.. Olmstead attracted my
attention to the hideous bonnet she
wears. AS for your information be-
ing thoroughly correct, | see no rea-
son whyI should deny its truth
And shall confess, moreover, that
Ralp Olmstead's society is vastly
agreeable-nay, more" she went on
hotly, "that l prefer it to the society
of any other gentleman in Ingoldham
There's no use in Disgusting matters
any longer, grandma; this arrange
ment made between you and the Pres
colts is simply ridiculous. ] do not
consider myself engaged to Mr.. Frank
%
Prescott, because his mother and you
chose to alliance US in that stupid
French way, before was old enough
to spell the werd marriage, let alone
understand it. l have never seen
Frank Prescott, and l suppose you
will be terribly shocked to learn that
when he visits us next week, | shall
take the earliest convenient opportu-
nifty of freeing myself from SO absurd
contract"
Sand your reasons for this .behav-
ior," replied Mrs. Morton, white with
anger, twill be your love--your infat-
uation for penniless adventurer, by
the name OF Ralph Olmstead-a man, "
she continued, "who, since his arrival
at Ingoldham, three months ago, has
used every art in his power to become
the possessor of your fortune"
Trhese are words, grandma, which
you have no right to utter against an
honorable man, whose sole fault is
poverty"
aHonoraDie !" echoed the old lady,
in decided passion. Il tell you,
Julia Morton, that Ralph Olmstead is
an imposter. Simple country folk like
those in Ingoldham are easily impos-
ed upon. For my part, | believe none
Of bis stories about reduced gentility,
and you will believe them-mark my
words-to your sorrow"
Somehow her grandmother's rage
had the effect Of calming Julia.
II shall not prolong a conversation
which can lead to no good on either
side,n she said, advancing slowly to-
ward the door of the apartment. =
love Ralph OImsted too dearly for
your bitter words not to wound me,
although may know them to be I'M
lust. In a months time / shall be
nv own mistress, and free to dispose
Of my heart and my money as ! see
proper. Until that period you have
my firm, solemn promise not to see
- . Ga4I srsrefhf