The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-02-28
GRACE EvERSLEIeR,S GOLDEN HAIR.

/
the purest, Tale, hue, and so luxuriant
that the fair young head appeared to
bend beneath its weight. In what.
ever way it was arranged, whether in
heavy braids almost as thick as my
arm, or in silken, massive coils, or in
curls that fell below the slender waist,
or lett to flow unbounded, ripping
down like a golden glory, it was al
ways the most wonderful hair | had
ever seen. l raved of Grace's hair by
day, l dreamed of it by night: "the
fair one with the golden locks" l
whispered in her blushing ear.
/ and my sister Alice were orphans,
and lived together until about year
before my story opens, when Alice
had married. Alice was different in
character from myself; she was less
imaginative and more practical. She
did not share my enthusiasm for
Grace. "Take care! Take carem she
said. "All is not gold that glitiers. !"
1t was happy moment, when, after
many a jealous pang caused by rival
admirers, ventured to press my first
kiss on Graces lips, and heard
her low, ~ es, in response TO my ar
dent protestations OF love, and my
offer OF my hand. Alice, when told
her, the next day, made me, Tor the
grst time in my lie, angry with her,
Tor she called me bind fool, aud
said had thrown myself and fortune
away on one who WAS both false and
artificial. But my anger was soothcd
by the warmth with which the Eyers-
legs, one and all, received me. OId
Mr.. Eversleigh, after he had ascer-
tanned that popular report had not cx-
aggerated the extent of Rly income,
shook me enthusiastically by the hand,
and declared lhat.I was II son-in-law
after his own heart" His wife took
me to her ample maternal bosom, be-
Slowing on me salution with which
could have willingly dispensed. l
was kissed, blessed, aud shaken
hands with by all the aunts, uncles,
and cousins end people III general
felici,ated me upon being the happiest
of men.
Alice, as much as she disliked Miss
Eversleigh, said she would call upon
her. Al this forgare my sister all.
Nv hen you know Grace better, you
will get over your prcjudices," i re-
marked, Is We drove 10 Mr.. Evers-
lei-h's.
We were kept some time waiting
in the parlor before Grace made her
appearance. In the meantime, Nellie,
her youngest sister, child of SIX,
came III to make sisters acquaintance.
Alice was excessively fond OF chll
dren. So the little one was soon cs-
tablished upon her knee, amusing her
with her childish pra,tIe.
What a pretty curl you have"
she cried, admiringiy. Can , ou take
it OFF,
NO, DEAR" answered Alice, laugh
ing. Not unless [ cut it Oft; it
grows upon my head"
Crows" the child repeated
"How sirangel Why, sister Grace
takes hers off every night, and puts i,
away in a drawer"
Alice gave me malicious glance
but just then Grace, deep frowr up
Oh her fair brow, entered. l could
not understand why she spoke SO
sharply TO little Nellie, and Immedi-
ately sent her from the room. Alice
did not enIighten me, merely remark
ing. when we had left the house, that
Miss Grace Eversleigh's angelic at
tributes appeared TO exist only i'll my
Imagination. Certainly, her con-
duct to. that innocent child was any
thing but angelic" she added, when
she saw how little impression she had
made on me.
The days of our engagement passed
swiftly on. Alice's consent sneers
only heightened my passion. Every
hour | became more in love. Grace S
maiden dignity increased the effect OF
her charms. Often | attempted to
twine her silken curls around nay fin
ger; TO toy with those golden, rip
ping waves; but | was always re-
pulsed with coy sweetness that left
me more deeply infatuated than ever.
I was excessively fond OF riding on
horseback; SO my first present to
Grace was a fine horse, and almost
every day we took long rides togeth-
er. She was a graceful equestrian,
and never looked better than in the
saddle. She rode fcarlessly, too, and
this also made me prouder OF her.
One day, as we rode together, l
noticed that her hair was arranged
with even more effect than usual. |
complimented her upon it, saying l
detested anything stiff or artificial, es-
pecially in the arrangement OF a lady s
hair.
"Yes," she answered, sweetly. ~
have such quantity of hair | scarcely
know how TO hold it up. Many girls,
as you peahaps know, do not scruple
even to wear false hair; but this APP
pears to me to contrary to the purity
and dignity of womanhood. A true
| woman would not seek admiration
and notice by adorning herself with
borrowed ornaments. Mamma has
always taught us to be natural above
all things"
| Iwas delighted with these admira-
BILE sentiments. They coincided ex-
actly with my own. / looked at her
again. Never had she been SO beau.
tiful. The close habit of blue cloth
displayed the rounded form to its full.
est perfection. Exercise had brought
a vivid flush to the fair cheek, bright
light to the soft, blue eye. The jaun-
| ty, black hat, with its waving plume
lust shaded the sweet face, and the
sun, shining full upon her hair, caused
il to look like living gold. became