The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-07-17
VOL. TX.
ENGAGED.

sometimes, and to Jack they were
delightful beyond measure. Sitting
under a great chestnut tree till 8
O'Clock looking at the stars and tell
ing stories and exchanging views
about things in general, comprised
all the pleasure, such as it was-and
yes, one item also, Jacks occasional
performance on the fiddle.
This was the sort of life one might
have predicted togo on without the
least change till all who shared it
died. But just at the most monoto-
nous point came q change.
1t was an evening toward Autumn,
and a little chill, and the girls were
a little wrapped up, and even Jacks
coat was buttoned. What could be
prettier than Etta, sitting there with
her listening smile, and the tinkle of
her voice breaking in now and then,
and the quaint, roguish pose Of the
head?
Oh, Jack, Jack! it was no wonder
YOU loved her with all your big, SIM
nle heart! and Wouldn't you have
readily laid down your life to make
hers happy, any hour the sacrifice
might be demanded? Yes, over and
over again.
The subject was one, I am sure,
everybody not oyerburdened with
wealth has often discussed; "What
would [ do if 1 were rich?' 1t was
Etta's turn to say, and as she told
them all the wonders she would do,
a plaintiyeness came into her voice
and a sadness upon her face, and
Jack learned for the first time that
she was no5 happy in being poor.
"Well," said she, in conclusion
1 with sigh, "Jack and | have oul
expectations, at any rate. .
sWhat are they?" wondered Jack
instantly.
an immense deal of money, and whel
she dies will go to one OF as, as W.
are the only relatives she has.
think your chance is far better thai
mine, though, Jack, because Aun
s Ellenorah never liked my poqr man
e ma, and you know she is very fon
of YOUR mamma and paper both,
: laughed Etta, q shade sadly.
This set Jack to thinking, and o
his way back with Eta, after seoin
the Harmon girls home, be said:
> "Etta, 1 believe If You were ric
YOU wouldn't care for me an
I'd longer"
I shouldn't change, no matter if
= we're found out TO be the heiress to
throne" J
(, This he believed, but he liked
W hear her say it over and over Ngail
% lust as children enjoy the same Trims
ne told twenty times that they kno
isi bi olready. And so when they parte
v, for the night at the foot of Il
stairs, Eta standing there with
candle in her hand, and her face
sweet and smiling behind it, he hs
I ed her and whispered
J "You will never love anybody el
j never, never, neverP
"Never, never, aeoefl' she echoe
and was gone.
nN' Next day Farmer Diiwyn goes
. market in the great wagon, and ia
goes to the field, and Eta goes
the village on her toy pony; a
W about noon comes a gentleman, We
stout and pompous, and rather har
., some. Jack is sent for ard IS mu
bewildered, not being able to !
agine what is wanted of him;
they go into the little dining-ro
and are closeted for a long he
\, together.
changed being. Not that 'his !
., has grown white in single niGE
ii'' Il or anything Of that kind, but. he
awod, and quiet, and, upon the wh'
queer.
u.s., Eta Houghson--oh, SO gay
sweet upon that dear little pony
came back much later than us
Or, She had been to the Postoftice,
na had read several three-yplume let
,rl;et from some friends of her own
a6y. az, and bad glanced over some. pap
and had paid visit or two,
borrowed novel, and lots OF tn
more; all of which combined to
Ey' tain her
uors, she went up the path to the II
house on foot. The place see
ID. strangely silent; but presently
pnted discerned Farmer Dilwyn STAN
in the semi-darkness of the s.
{; 4, corridor, staring fxodly at her,
possibly little i'll at ease.
She went in, and fresher surp
awaited har, like 50 many metapI
.pcr cal Jack-in-the-boX.
nd aUi Vi. Farmer Dilwyn, an intensely
blsh- teal man, first brushed the dust
aging a chair and handed II to her, an,
il,' M '1,l 1a wife bowed as if she was a strar
and the dutiful son stood altog'
MS, aloof. Was it hauteur, or shy
o all. or caprice, or what?
" cut Eta burst out laughing. 6
ER' singularly you all actl Is Il
comedy OF mystidcation?'
Farmer Dilwyn came forwa
little, and said, gravely:
"Eta, ] have some important
for YOU. Your Aunt Ellenorah
II well is dead"
~ am sorry" said Eta, the
/ fading into a gentle smile. u
IL that she was prepared, and b
she was a good woman, WASH t
uucleg And Here she sto
rouR, not knowing how to get on fq
qaies ,,a z "Well, Eta" continued IL
Dilwyn, plunging n medias res
reefs short and long Of it is that yo
- the heiress to her large wealil
eongraulate-we all congr1