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

d But Julia wrote a letter that even
ling, before she retired TO rest, in
which she. informed Ralph of the
promise made to her grandmother,
and besought of him not to seek her
society during the next month. "Af-
ter that" she wrote; II shall be en-
tirely yours. Whatever stories you
may hear during Mr., Prescott's visit
to the homestead--he comes next
week, / think-credit nothing, Ralph,
which hints at my having forgotten
you" 6..d rso
I The letter was delivered to Ralph
Olmsted that evening through the
agency of faservanty and for one week,
at least, Julia's promise was kept
1t was a weary week. She denied
herself, to most of the friends who
called, and seldom left her own cham
Der. 57As for anything like social in.
tercourse between herself and old
Mrs Morton, an occasional remark on
either side (though generally on Jul
ia's) was the nearest approach to it.
think it very probable that the grand,
mothers heart was deeply touched by
the low, spirits and altered manner Of
one whom she loved with the most.
sincere fondness. But, although Mrs
Morton's nature was at bottom avery
well-spring of amiability and benevo7
lence, thus to be thwarted in her IA
vorite scheme of marrying Julia to
4 the son of Mary Prescott (her life
long friend, whom years of foreign
residence had separated from her),
was source of the most poignant re-
gret. The old lady did not thorough
ly despair, however, Of eventually ac.
complshing this design. Julia's self
imposed absence from Ralph Olmsted
might have the effect of making him
"doubly DEAR" but she believed in
Frank Prescott's powers to efface the
impression which the former lover had
4 made upon her heart. His arrival
from Germany, where he had been
educated at the Gottengen Uniyevsi-
ty, and where the last fourteen years
of his life had been spent, she daily
expected. And judging from the eu-
logistio letters which Mrs. Morton
had received from her friend, Mrs.
Prescott, touching upon "dear Frank"
and his accomplishments, fine breed
ing and good looks, there seemed H.
tie doubt that he would prove, after
all, the acceptable suitor. 7I
One afternoon, while Julia and her
grandmother were seated at dinner,
letter was handed to Mrs. Morton,
which bore the New York post-mark,
and proved to be from no less a per-
son than Mr.. Frank Prescott. He had
arrived from Germany the day before,
and would do himself the pleasure of
visiting Mrs. Morton and Miss Julia
that evening. .f
Good gracious" !" exclaimed the old
lady, after reading the letter aloud to
her grandchild, and dropping her gold
spectacles in quite hutter of excite
ment f
"He is to be here this evening, and
have given no extra orders for sup
per. It's nearly four o'clock now,
Julia, and should advise you to be-
gin dressing Wear your lavender
silk, my dear, and the pearl necklace"
(Mrs. Morton quite forgot to appear
offended just then), "and if you care
about that diamond buckle of mine
for your waist, my dear @@
"You are very kind" Julia inter
rupted coldly, "but as am not par
ticularly axious to fascinate Mr.. Pres
colt, and | do not consider that his
wealth makes him distinguished Wis
itor, 1 shall dress plainly, If you please.
A halfhour will amply suffice for my
toilet" .ae- aid
The old lady shrugged her shoul-
ders with nseiLUoWs-pldird air,
and presently rose from the table
Julia, following her example, went to
her chamber and remained there until
dark, SO lost in her own bitter, sad
thoughts as to be utterly careless and
inattentive to what passed below
stairs. She had never loved Ralph SO
dearly as now-never felt more Keen
ly the insult conveyed in those words
of her grandmother-"an imposter"--
"a penniIess adventurer." Because
Frank Prescott had enjoyed the ad-
vantages of a German University, was
he therefore more educated, more ac-
complished than Ralph? Because
one was gentleman at leisure, and
the other struggling landscape art
ist, who had come to Ingoldham for
the purpose Of painting some of its
beautiful scenery and earning his
bread with the talents Heaven gave
him, could such a difference imply
Frank Prescott's superiority over his
rival? What, then, was the barrier
that divided their positions in the eyes
Of Mrs. Morton. Wealth, and wealth
onlyl am
These, and other thoughts Of a like
nature, occupied Julia's mind during
the three hours which she spent in her
own room. At about seven o'clock,
curiosity to discover whether Mr..
Prescott had arrived caused her to
open the door and ask the question of
servant who was at that moment
lighting lamp in the upper hall.
The servant was not sure that the
gentleman who had called and asked
for Mrs. Morton about an hour ago,
was Mr.. Prescott. But Mrs. Morton
was then in the sitting-room with that
gentleman.
As Julia was about re.closing her
door, voice, which she recognized as
her grandmother's sounded from be-
low stairs.
pJnlia, is that you2 Mr., Prescott
is waiting very anxiously to see you"
"And he shall see me, dressed as i
am in morning costume" thought
Julia. Without giving glance at
her mirror, she descended the stairs.
Mrs. Morton, her face beaming with
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