The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1873-01-31

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shop, and a quiet little figure, in 3
pink dress and black silk apron.
sewing busily, his heart gave great
leap. He wanted TO kiss that little
woman, who, all unconscious of be-
ing seen, threaded her needle and
hummed a blithe song to herself
A beautiful inner picture, as
though he were looking through the
depths of a camera at some chaste
image, ideal, shining, out Of his
reach altogether. She seemed to
him a lady in dream, apart from
the ways Of common lite. Yet she.
kept the little shop under the tree.
| do not think Mr.. David would
have had courage to break the spell
that seemed to separate him from
his old friend, had not Jim, burst
ing in, announced his presence.
A quiet little woman, David had
said this did not seem q very quiz
escellt parsonage, however, this
flushed and tremulous somebody,
like and yet not like the old Ham
nah, who came toward him with
eloquent eyes and hands outstretch-
ed, crying, "Daye !" like q note Of
old pathetic music.
All, that was a welcome! At the
moment David thought Il cheaply
bought with eight years Of ab-
sence.
Hannah hustled about to Get snp-
per; she set out her MttIeFoara tea
table; she laid the snowy cloth;
she spread her little store Of dain-
ties; she poured out 9 fragrant cup
Of tea, she hoyered about him like,
o tluttering bird, chirping joyonsly.
I" A snug little place, Hannah" /"
said Mr.. navid At last, speaking out
ofhis filliless of,con'ent; shut your
sisters feel sore abontit; they don't
like your living here alone. The
fact is, they think you have lower
ed yonrself, and all that. What
put It into your headi''
"An angel, perhaps" said Ham
nah, solemDly, wlping her glowing,
fearful eyes, as she looked at him.
"pavid, after father and mother
died, and I had ftn4ssa away my
soul caring for them and trudging
about with Isetsey's babies, | grew
weary and sick !-atd there came
to me an inexpressib'e desire to own
myself. | felt a sort Of miserable
pity for myself, just as would have
felt for any other poor slave with
slavery il, prospect for life. | long
ed to keep myself high and pure. |
shuddered at the thonght Of my
degradation as a dependent drudge
in other peoples households"
"And did you not want to mar
ry" David did not know what imp
prompted the words which burned
his lips as they dropped from them.
lie melded them praiseworthy by
adding, ".Jasper Hendricks, for in
stance? 2"
But Hannah answered calmly:
"No, David, that would not have
helped me. So took the dear lit
tie shop and waited"
"For what?" said David blunt;
ly.
Hannah blushcd, stopping low
over her teacup.
"Forcustomers," she said, as Jim
came blundering in Oh one OF his
innumerable Chores
That night Mr.. David Durham
could not sleep. Hannah's face,
her pleasant voice, her sunny little
shop, haunted him.. Such q woman
would be like sunrise in q man'slife.
But Hannah did not want to mar
ry; Hannah hugged her h,lcpend-
ellce or she was waiting waiting,
as she had said fnr somebody. Some
how Nr. David did not find his
way to the little shop where Han
nah dwelt il maidenly serenity
qnile as soon as lie had anticipated.
lie fingered about the village; he
took Miss Simmons ont for drive
now and then; and one Sunday hu
to Mrs. Johnson's piou,
interest III him BY taking 4 seat h
her pew. It was q hot, sunny day,
CONTINUED ON FIFTH PAGE.