The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-06-19

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additions their income was very lin
tied. Close economy, self-denial,
humble fare and quiet dress, Gertie
could recall much more distinctly
than the wealth her father had squan-
dered.
Where did Harry Clarke come
upon the scene2 Gertie scarcely
knew. He was q step-son of her
mothers brother, and had come to
the city to make his fortune. Far
away in the central part OF Pennsyl-
vania nestled small farm where
Harry was born, where father and
mother had died, and which was the
boys sole patrimony. The rent of
his domain scarcely sudiced to clothe
the young clerk, but he had been
winning his way in the house of I. &
Co., and now, if he could make three
thousand dollars, might be a partner.
The farm might bring part of that
sum, where was the rest to come
from queried Gerte. Yet over Har-
ry's memory picture the little maiden
fingered lovingly. There was no
part of her life so pleasant to dwell
upon as that where he figured. Long
walks and talks, duets over the old
piano, chats by moonlight, freight
and gaslight. He was SO tender and
loving, so honorable and true, so res
pectful to her mother, so tender to
Jane, and so ready to advise or assist
James betrothed, fellow-clerk, who
was waiting the turn in fortunes
wheel that would enable him to mar
ry. Was not such love as he offered
worthy of any sacrifce?,
Leon Payne came to the scene only
six months before this musing fit
upon Gertie. She had met him at a
party and had bewitched him by her
pretty, piquant beauty, her grace
and voice. He had dazzled her by
his handsome face-Harry was not
handsome, poor fellow, Gertie sighed
and wealth. But the young girl
knew, with woman's intuition, that
under the courtly manners, fattering
attentions and devoted air, there was
a hard, selfish nature, q cruel jealousy
and q suspicious and hot temper,
Yet he was so rich, and Gertie knew
all the torure and misery Of genteel
poverty.
"Be true to your own heartl" she
said aloud as she arose and walked
across the room. "Do I love Leon
Payne? If he should lose his wealth
would I be q true and loving wife to
him still? Could I wear old bonnets
for his sake?"
She took up the diamonds and put
them on while she spoke. They
flashed brilliantly against the deep
crimson Of her neat dress and height
ened the effect of her young, fresh
beauty.
eff he were poor and ill could I
work for him-as [ could for Harry"
It burst from her lips in sort of
cry, and she tore off the Jewels and
replaced them in their velvet bed.
''I could bear all this for Harry but
not for Leon Payne. l will be true
to my own . heart" +
The winter was gliding into spring
when Mrs. Jameson sat in luxurious
house on-street, waiting the COM
ing of two brides. The parlor in
which she waited was richly furnish
ed. Velvet carpets covered the floor,
velvet curtains draped the windows,
long mirrors threw back the light Of
Of large chandeliers; costly pictures
in heavy gilt frames hung upon the
walls. Above large bedrooms were
filed with handsome appointed fur
niture. In one room, laces., velvets,
flowers and silks fit for royal trous-
seau filed drawers and wardrobe;
the dinning-room was spread for a
rich and varied repast, and the wild
ow's own dress, though only black
silk, was rich and handsomely made.
"My little Gertie, said Mrs. Jame4
son, softly, show will she ever reign
over this palace"
A quieter home, but pleasant, too,
was waiting for Jane, whose husband
has received an anonymous gif that
enabled him to accept a business open
ing long looked upon as an unattain-
able felicity. But Jane was to spend
a few days with Ger6e before going
to her own home, and the mother
looked for two brides, as 1 said be-
fore.
Tt was nearly midnight when the
carriage drove up. Gertie was the
first to her mothers arms, and then,
as Jane took her place, the little
bride stood in the center of the long
parlors pale with astonishment. She
had tossed off her bonnet, and the
soft gray travelling dress Of the mis-
tress of the house seemed oddly out
Of place.
dWhere am IP" she gasped at
last.
cat home, my darling" and her
husband passed his arm around her
waist.
"Home?"
"It is not such a very long story,
he said. looking down into her won
drous eyes, "but 1 did not tell you
before, because l wanted to see if
you loved me.
She nestled close to him, letting
her head fall upon his bosom.
"The farm, Gertie," he said softly
"was full of oil.
"Oilr'
"I sold it for more money than
Leon Payne ever possessed. Now,
Pet, run upstairs; mother will show
you the room, and let me see how
some of the fnery there suits you"
"But it is nearly midnight. "
"Never mind, we want queen to
preside over this supper"
Mrs Jameson led the way, while