The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-02-12
AN ILLINOIS HEROIC.

s'Sr, I allow that my Bette is a
heap the smartest and peertest gal IN
Macoupin-yes, SIR"
The person addressed had just asked
the speaker for his daughter, in sort
of vague, indefinite way that stirred
up the old mans bile. The longer he
considered the matter, the madden he
eyes, sir. Dog my buttons if I
come around here foolin' with my Bet
tie. I won't have it, an you'd better
git"
There was significant motion toward
q rear pocket, which had more effect
than words. They always said old
Ramsay would shoot SO the party
addressed, without taking a second
look, said, "Jes' so, old man !" aud
q moment later was riding through the
thick underbrush toward the open
prairie.
There had been listener to this con-
versation. It was Miss Bette Ramsay
herself, the subject of it. She was
pretty sight, as she stood behind the
little white curtain that was drawn
back enough to let her see the disap-
pearing form of her lover.
A fresh, girlish face of sixteen
round, rosy and sweet her long brown
HAIR drawn into a massive braid that
hung far below her waist; her bare
arms Drowned with the sun, yet exquis-
itely nodded her eyes of the same
lashes; that seemed to touch her cheek !;
and Just row her eyes were filed with
tears.
Everything within or about the room
seemed to partake Of the same outlines
as the girl herself The bed was plump
and smooth-not a line, not depres-
sion. "A, little shelf was ornamented
with the. plaster angels, q Madonna
and child, and most remarkable lamb,
all in the same material but even the
lamb was so plump and round that it
had no nose worth mention.
The climbing rose-trees, half covering
the little window, took on the same
oval lines. Even the fragrance ex-
hailed by the roses themselves seemed
blended and softened and mingled with
that indefnable aroma of youth and
beauty.
A4heavy footstep sounded across the
little poreh, and came slowly and hesi-
tatinely up the stairs. A low, uncer-
tain, single knock at the door was fol-
lowed by a rough head that peered
timidty into the room.
The mist in the girls eyes had cleared
away. A smile rippled across the
dimpled cheek,
sCome In, father, come in r.
Sc May I come in, Bette? I don't
want nothin' at all only it was so still
and quiet like, that I allowed you must
be out somewheres.
And the rough head moved clumsily
into the room, followed by a corre-
spondfnely rough body. An old man
of sixty. sallow and weather beaten and
vrizzled. Grave and earness of pur-
pose he looked, yet simple, and here in
his daughters chamber he was timid
as boy.
chair - and she drew him toward a
great old fashioned chair. When he
was seated, she sat herself down in his
laTlzkha little brown arms circIing
around the grizzled beard and neck
ssYou were speaking with Jim,
father what was it about?
"Jim? Oh, yes he was out there
but he's gone.
sGone where, father 2"
ssGane home. I reckon. Yes, L think
he mentioned he was goin' home. I"
sDidn't he inquire for me, father p
And the brown eyes now were looking
very earnestly into the wayef1ng gray
ewes Of the old man, who was In torment
from trying to play part never intended
for him.
said he. as IL uncertain whether to re-
member it or not
IS What made him go 20 qu1ck
ST Judge he had something to call
him eway-and -and--he's gone, and
am glad of it, Bette. He amt OF any
ssBuf. 1 ike jim. father, " said she,