The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1873-09-27
Albaut gegistet.
The old Mans Darling.

So she congratulated herself as sht
gazed exultingly upon the diamond
solitaire which, but an hour before
Colonel Leslie had placed upon hel
finger. His words of love still vibrateC
in her ears; but, strange to say, there
was no responsive melody in her heart
although her lips had promised thai
she would become his wife. She wa;
a young girl, not yet out of her teens,
poor, beautiful and ambitious. Colo
mel Leslie was fifty, hale, hearty,
gentlemanly and rich. He had gone
to the little manufacturing village ol
S. upon business, had accidentally
met with Margery, and having been
enraptured with her beauty, addressed
her after short acquaintance. And
50, while he was being rapidly borne
4 to- this city home, thinking of the love-
illness of the young bride he had won,
and his abundant means ofmaking her
happy, Margery sat in her little cham
ber dreaming bright dreams to be re-
allied III the future. Her fortune was
made. What did it matter now if
there had been poverty and privation
in the past; was not the future bright
with wealth and splendor?
Il shall have diamonds, and laces,
and society to my hearts content, "
she mused, gazing from her window
into the cloudless east, where the
round rising moon looked softly into
her glitteriHg eyes. Il shall purchase
them dearly perhaps, but shall be an
old mans darling. Col, Leslie said
so tonight as he placed the seal of our
betrothal upon my finger. 1t is true
that there is a great disparity of years
between lis, but | am satisfied with
the contract have made, | shall be
clothed in purple and fine linen every
day. and if | am not happy there is no
one to blame but myself, | shall be no
longer dependent upon those who
grudge me even the little morsel | eat. T"
The wedding was quiet one. The
village bad never seen a loveli9r bride
nor a happier groom, and when, after
a months travel the couple took pos
session of their luxuriant home, Mar
gerry again congratulated herself upon
the brilliancy of her fortune. Her
brightest dreams were meeting with
fulfillment. She entered into her new
life with all the zest of her fresh, young
spirit, glorying in the beauty that had
purchased her pleasures, and leaving
nothing undone that could enhance her
loyeliness.
Colonel Leslie accompanied her
everywhere she wished to 90,
"She is too young, too inexperienced
for me to allow her freedom" he said,
earnestly. 'She will doubtless tire of
this frivolity after a while, and then
we will settle down in that happy
home | have so often pictured to my
self"
But time wore on, and not even the
shadow of such WEAKNESS appeared
to cloud the young wife's spirits. No
gayety was produced which did not
tempt her participation, and no temp
tation met with resistance.
After Il year OF patient waiting the
triyoities in which she had indulged
so freely became so utterly distasteful
to him that he could no longer restrain
his impatience. But friends interposed,
declaring that the lovely Mrs. Leslie
should not make a rccluse of herself,
and offering to accompany her wher-
ever she wished to go. He transferred |
her, as it We're, to their protection. and |
day after day and night after night he
was left alone as mercilessly as though |
he had been but u hired attendant of
the household.
Devoted as he had once been to his |
wife, the strength Of his ardor began
to abate, and beginning to believe she
had married him for his wealth, he de-
termined to restrict her gayeties in a
measure. lie would make overtures
to her reason and judgment, and they
failed lie would assert the authority
which centered himself, and which she
had so seemingly ignored. He was in
the library awaiting Margery's COM
ing, as usual, upon the evening of the
most brilliant entertainment of the
season. An hour after midnight she
radiant in velvet and 'dia-
monds. He arose and offered to re-
move her wrappings.
"Thank you,n she returned icily,
still standing, ''but | shall retire i'm
mediately, and there isno need Of un-
here" I
Just as you please" he answered
resuming his seat and gaz-
inc for d moment into the beautiful
face before him; ''but | have some-
hing to say to you, which must be
heard here and now"
Margery gathered her cloak more
closely about her shoulders, and resting
both hands upon the, back Of the chair
BY which she was standing, said, al
lIosS delantly: