The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-01-17


yigor now coursing through my veins.
II was expecting Aunt Janet to
como with my husband to take dinner
with us that evening, and had taken
great pains In the preparation of her
fayorite dish, 'Cock-a.leekie,' which
she said that / could prepare almost
as well as a Scotchwoman; and had
dressed myself, us Harry liked to see
me. in blue merino with plain linen
cuffs and collar, fastened with simple
bow of blue ribbon-my best dress,
Anna, of which / was obliged to be
careful, so / protected it from con-
tact with the cookstove by large
housewives apron OF blue check.
II thought, as stood looking into
my little parlor, that l never before
had seen it look so pleasant and home.
like. The mellow light of an Autumn
sunset streamed through tho clear
glass OF the window, giving roseate
tinse TO the fresh muslin curtains; n
bright coal fire glowed in the polished
CRATE, and before it stood the table,
ready prepared for dinner, with its
spotless damask covering, faultlessly
clean napkins, clear shining glass, pure
white china aud plated ware-we
could not afford silver-poiished to
the extreme of brightness. Our one
handsome piece of furniture, mag
nificent piano given me by your fa-
ther, stood open, with Harry's favorite
music on the rack, and his flute lay
ready on the music stand; but the
loveliest object to my eyes was the
inmate of the little cradle, lying with
wide open eyes. and uttering that soft,
coling sound which foolish mothers
like myself interpret into all manner
OF sweet words aud loving phrases.
at is said that serpent enters
every Eden; and the one that invaded
mine came in the form of Arthur
Tremaine. | have often heard Harry
speak of Arthur Tremaine, the hero
of his boyhood; but when / was in
troduced to him that evening and
tried TO welcome him as my husbands
friend, there was something behind
the handsome face and the fanltlessly
polished manner that seemed TO rcpel
me. Ii were a swedenborgian l
would say that onr spheres were al.
tagonistic. / felt the fascination of
his address and brilliant conversations
al powers, but | could not feel at ease
in his society. He boarded At the
Rossin House, and as he was reported
| to be millionaire on the lookout for
some safe investment for his spare
thousands, he soon became a welcome
visitor at the best houses in the city.
Still, Notwithstanding all the atten-
ton that was paid him and the con
slant invitations that he received, his
most frequent visits were made TO our
humble home. as time passed on,
the aversion that felt at first ceased
almost entirely, and began to look
forward with pleasure TO the time OF
his coming. He had, a remarkably
fine tenor voice and was brilliant
performer on the piano, and as Harry
and myself were both passlonately
fond of music, our evenings passed de-
lightfully. He came almost daily
at first only in the evening, when my
husband would be at home; but in a
few weeks he came frequently at
hours when Harry would be at the
store. At length | was aroused TO a
knowledge of the fact that these visits
always were followed by feeling OF
vague dissatisfaction with the situa.
ton in which / was placed and with
my surroundings. / took myself Sc.
riously 20 task, and now remembered
covert hints, insinuations and illusions
to my former position, halfexpressed
pity for the change--many, many
things, so quietly said and so delicate
ly covered that they had failed at the
time to excite my anger or suspicion
But why should he wish to make me
Disconnected with my home? My
suspicious once aroused, [ became
convinced that he was trying to wear
me from my true love for my hus
band, and to win that love for him
self.
ASHAMED to think so myself, and
more ashamed to confess it to another
| could not 60 to Harry and ask HIN
to put II end to Mr. Tremain's toe
} frequenk visits, but went to Aunt Jane
and complained of the interruption o
my household duties. She only said
Right, child You are quite right
But from that day Mr.. Tremaine al
ways found her established in our LITTLE
, parlor with her knitting, looking grin
} and stately, ready to assist me in en-
, tertaining him, or to entertain hin
herself, excusing me on account Of ny
household cares.
! "After the advent of Aunt Janet
Mr.. Tremaine's visits became less fire
quent; but / was soon panied to sc,
, great change in my husband. Tn
cheerful, hopeful look vanished from
his face, and gave place to an expires
t sion of the deepest detection. .Instea'
!. of spending his evenings at home, a
> had always been his habit, he remaine'
out late at night and returned sad AM
: dispondent; his sleep was restless an,
! interrupted, and he looked SO hag
: gard and careworn that / became anx
: ious about his health.
"Near the last of December, Hal
$ ry's employers determined to SEM
e him to Montreal in charge of larg
q sum of money, nearly $4,000. H
{ was to leave in the train at 10 P. NJ
Y and when he returned in the eyenin,
l he brought the money with him. MI
] fTremaine accompanied him, and
4 heard my husband say, excitedly:-
q Never jest with me again in tha
: manner, Arthur, or our friendshi
! must cease. Dearly as I love m