The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-01-16

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no such thing;.i 1T is a feeling that Is
as unstable asa weathercock. Here,
read this, and see if am not right.
Marion's eyes rested on the lines.
and she smothered an expression Of
contempt for the man who was SC
false. "But, BERTHE, why throw
yourself away for revenge! Oh,
don't be impetuous: think of it well
before you take the step"
"Iv'e given it consideration
enough, and I am decided. Oh,
Marion, love me, love meP and Ber-
tie wept, her courage given entirely
away. She was not one to show her
grief though, for long, and she
dashed off the signs of her weakness
and sat down to write the note, by
which she sold herself to Arthur Cas-
tleton. '
The day appointed for the ceremo-
ny was but two weeks ahead, and
dressmakers, milliners and mantau-
makers focked to Fair Oaks, prepar-
ing for the Wedding.
The time came, and radiant in her
loneliness and costly robes, BERTHE
became the wife of Arthur Castleton.
Her hand she gave him; but she had
no love, no heart. He knew she did
not love him, but thought in time
she would. He showered all that
wealth could procure upon her, but
he missed the soft kiss Of love that
he dreamed of.
Nightly as she came into the libra
ry to bid him adieu, ere she left for
some ball, reception or concert, he
wished for his youth again, that the
young wife would love him. But he
did not complain; he praised her
beauty and bade her enjoy herself as
he put her in the carriage with her
C2sdper01e. a7ae1 .r
One night.as she came home from
a reception she threw herself into q
chair, and cold, hard light came
into her eyes as they rested upon
her sleeping husband. She had
been gaily talking to her circle ofad
mirers when familiar voice called
her. Quickly she raised her eyes,
and her mouth quivered as she bent
her head in recognition of Philip
Ellerton.
"Giye me dance" he whispered;
and she, with all the old fire return
ing, gave him q waltz. Oh, that
fatal waltz-who can resist its magi-
cal sweetness!
Round and round they went, he
breathing in the very intoxication of
his love as he held her in his arms.
The music stopped, and Phillip led
her into the conservatory.
"Bertie, my darling, / am home
again-home to claim my idol
She started as if stung, and slowly
raised her eyes, the fire of indigna-
ton flashing forth from them.
"How dare yon address me SO,
Phillip Ellerton? My husband and
your wife should hear those words.
Take me back to my friends and
never dare speak to me againr
''My wife--your husbandP What
is this-this terrible, terrible dream?
Your husband, Bertie? You have
not been false? Oh, heavensp' he
cried, "you, too, saw that paper
the mistake? Oh, shall go mad!
But you are mine, mine, body and
soul mine, for whom l stroye and
succeeded"
.'sHush, hush! Philip, 1 cannot
listen-I am married. Oh, was it
not true2 Was / deceived? But
take me to my carriage. I shall die
I cannot stay here, and pale and
excited she hastily wrapped about
her a cloak and entered her carriage.
When she arrived at home she went
to her room, and throwing herself
upon divan, wept till nearly dawn.
Philip called almost daily. He
met her at all places, and still she
hushed his loye-vows. She would
be true to her husband. For
month she lived thus, seeing her
girlhood's lover daily; but it could
not 60 on SO, and BERTHE asked her
husband to take her to travel.
Anywhere" she replied to his ques-
ton of what place she wanted to go.
''I am tired Of London" And so
they had the house closed, and Ar
thur Calestine and BERTHE left Lon
don for Switzerland.
The scenery was delightful and
Arthur was pleased at Bertie's hap
piness. The following day they
were to 90 with some guides to see
some of the Alpine peaks, and they
retired early 50 as to be up by sun
rise. Bertie was radiant in a short
mountain costume, and the long,
white feather of her jaunty little hat
lay over her curls in q dainty con-
trast. Her husband followed her,
leaning on his staff listening to her
exclamations of delight. Upward
and onward they walked, the guides
telling them touching stories Of the
mishaps Of the tourists.
"See," said one, "from this peak
q son Of Russian nobleman fell; he
was young and giddy, and by SEEM
ing carelessness slipped and was pre-
cipitated into this creUasSe here at
your feet" Arthur and BERTHE step
ped forward and gazed down into
the icy depths. They gazed as if
fascinated, their heads whizzed and
their senses seemed gone. Further
and further they leaned forward; but
.at that moment two guides laid their
hands upon their shoulders and
warned them of the treacherous
ground. The touch frightened them
from their postures. Bertie started
and made slight exclamation; but
Arthur trembled and, as he leaned
forward to regain his presence Of
mind, his feet flew from under him,
and down, down he fell, striking