The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1874-11-13

we were indebted for our exceeding
comfort left nothing untried to secure
our happiness and improve nv health.
Weeks passed by, and, Harry having
returned from his southern trip, we
were comparatively a most contented
group /; and had it not been for certain
pointed thrusts of his, all bearing upon
my appearance, health, ETC., I should
have been right happy. But I could
not stife conscience, and always avert
ing my eyes and flushing painfully when
Harry spoke about my health, I became
actually i'll from mere and sheer nerv-
BUSINESS. Henrietta, too, dressed in
girlish tineries, laces, flowers, jewels,
and floating ribbons, always made a
foil of me with the close-rhroated wrap
pers, heavy somber dresses, and prac-
tlcal, unbecoming shawls appropriate
to an invalid until, weary of deceit,
and actually suffering from restraint,
became as unstrung as any bona tide
sufferer.
"Dora," said Henrietta, one day, as
she was arraying herself in a girlish
blue grenadine, 's don't you really think
Harry is marked in his attentions to
me before strangers, and everywhere,
indeed, for that matter? didn't you
| think him devoted yesterday at din
ner?"
How should know ?" I Grossly an
swered; I" I, at least, was devoted to
| my dinner
=" Yes, and to your companion =
widower-a good match-a wealthy
farmer, Dora p
I rushed from the room disgusted,
weary of myself, tired of life, and full
of contempt for woman's miserable
nnanagings. 1 went down to the dining
room, and stood looking out of the win
dow at the glorious summer morning,
with which my poor heart had SO very
little sympathy. Some one, and that
some one Harry, sauntered into the
room behind me, and presently said:
$50 you're all going picnicking to-
day, ! heaF2" ss ,,,io,,. ,o,, ,,o+ ,.o;n,,
too?
''Not T." said Harry; ''I take no in
terest in such doubtful pleasures, and
never pretend interest, or anything else,
/ for that matter -
Though my face burned hotly, I re-
spoDded:
Zone has often to do many things
| for the sake of politeness-a little pre-
tense, then, is necessary"
"What creed ~ calculated Harry,
| by this time become my Vis-a-Uis at the
window; I consider acting deceitful-
| ly to be more than contemplate and
I would avoid the person who did that
thing as I would avictim of the plague"
Ny brain turned giddy, and could
not reply. Suddenly Harry caught my
hand, and exclaimed
"Dora Dora what's the matter
with you ?''
g Nothing sail I, feebly "let me
CO."
Harry released me Immediately, and
ool~o IL l.
ing over my head and smoothing my
voice, "Poor little one, you are not
strong this being pulled about the
country to visit is too much for you"
Bursting forth with the tears could
no longer repress, rushed up to my
mothers room, sobbing bitterly. When
had explained my misery, Henrietta
said, always think of yourself; if yon
will, you will, though, and we must all
be content, and try to bear it. y
"Tm sure don't know from whom yon
inherit your strange disposition" said
mother not from me, certainly. Do
go and bathe your face, and come down
stairs like arational being" But could
not, and, still sobbing, gentle knock
was heard at the door, and Aunt Buck.
ley entered. Her fair, sweet face was
full of sympathy when, coming to me,
she gently kissed my forehead, and
said, "Dora, dear, you are really i'll !;
Harry is right; you are not strong
enough for all this excitement of going
over the country, visiting and riding
continually" Turning to mamma and
Henrietta, Aunt Buckley continued,
''This girl ought not to go to the picnic
to-day she is utterly unfit for any more
excitement.
'sI quite agree with you," chimed III
Henrietta, to which mamma added,
eyes; but it's nothing now but nerv-
BUSINESS nevertheless, quiet will do
Dora more good than anything else, and
by all means I shall have her stay at
home"
had tried to read, butas often as turned
the page every character danced before
my eyes. At last I sauntered down
stairs, thinking to find favorite Ger
man poem; ; but the house, empty and
delightfully."- cool and quiet. suggested
music so / sat at the piano lazily
lingering some waltzes, until finally
wandered to Scotch ballads. Singing
the old Border song softly under my
breath, I came to
st Will ye come back to me, Douglas?
Will ye come back TO me moo ~
and suddenly stopped, hearing a foot
step close beside me. It was Harry.
F'Who's the Douglas you are making
! VOWS to, Dora ?" he inquired.
No one in particular" said ], turn
J ing away my face.
! "I'n tell you, Dora," said he; 81
came from the picnic quite offending
every one but was restless and un-
happy. had something to say to you
that has already been too long delayed.
. hope you can imagine what it is 2"
could not answer an awful weight
of pain, apprehension and humiliation
took away my voice.
"Not one word, dear Dora?"
: And still could not speak, conscious
though was that my silence under the
t circumstances was derogatory to myself
'sDora," said Harry, rather severely,
/ "if you love me, and will be my wife,
why refuse to say 80 2"
Because exclaimed, springine
up before him suddenly, because
= am hypocrite, and I am a Sory ]
: have been acting falsehood ever since
t came here, Harry" and gaining
0 strength as emerged from my dread.
y full cloud of duplicity, told my lover