The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-01-08

tenth, of tin, and the, fifteenth o
China, and so on until the silver, tn
twenty-fifth; the golden, the fiftieth
and the diamond, the seldom reach
ed seventy-ffth year of wedlock, il
attained. n tsar
There was naturally good deal O
arrangement required, and some anx
iety manifested by the notable young
housewife that the offerings should
be such as would give satisfaction
alike to the donor and the recipients
that rarest of all cases in the giving
and receiving Of presents. Possibly
Margot had never heard Of that un-
happy bridal pair whose thoughtful
friends provided them with ten toast
racks as wedding gifts, But ex-
perience or learning Of some kind
had evidently made her wise, and
she was resolved that no mistake Of
such kind should occur in her
case. Though the gifts might be
limited in kind, as well as in cost,
there was no reason why they should
not be of various descriptions At
least so it would seem from the list
which she counted on her fingers,
more than twice over, for her cousins
benefit, and which included among
other things an arm chair, tea
caddy. carved necklace, a picture
frame, three spoons, a brooch, a po-
tato bowl, and washing tub.
"Ah, by the BY" she says, rather
suddenly, after one of those dead
pauses which occur even in the most
animated conversations, "by the by,
my husband tells me that Hans
Steiner will come this evening to ask
what his present to me shall be. I
must decide. What dost think,
grandmother, of little bracket for
the wall that would just hold the
best Dutch China teapot"
"I think that would be capital, +"
responds the old lady. 4 2
Meanwhile look of intelligence
passes between the other women. II
Louison, who is sitting close to
Gretchen, works away very steadily,
and pretends not to see it. -
ri doubt if Margot's present is the
only reason for Hans coming up to-
night" says Widow Gruhner, smil-
ing at her niece.
S'How should he know I was here%
asked poor Louison, betraying her
self unconsciously, and then blush
ing crimson to the very tips Of her
ears.
There is a general laugh. At the
same moment Louison drops the
needle she was working with, and
goes on her knees on the floor to
find it. Suddenly her heart beats
tumultuously. It seems to have
flown to her head, and to be knock
ing very tattoo ON her brain; the
sound of q footstep, of well-known
voice, has reached her listening ears
long before the others are conscious
of it. 1t is not very musical voice;
it does not belong to a very remark
able or specially charming person. -
Hans is, after all, but common
place, everyday sort of a young
man; but yet to the little girl crop
ing about in the twilight after the
missing needle the voice has charm
.sweeter than any other on earth, the
round commonplace face, under the
round. shabby hat, has a radiance
and beauty no other face will ever
equal in her eyes. After all, is it
not everyday love which makes
everyday -happinessP ms
"Canst thou not find that needleY
asks Gretchen; and then, looking
suddenly up, "Why, only think,
Louison, here is Hans" AS if Loui-
son had not known that an age agol
''Here he comes. 1 thought So
Get up-or, no, no, in whisper,
"stay there, and we will hear what he
says 70 "
"Well, Hans, thou art good OK
ample of the old proyerb, for we
were but just speaking Of thee" says
Grandfather Gruhner as the young
man approaches, and leans against
the open window, pipe in mouth.
Gretchen holds her work spread
out SO as to hide kneeling Louison.
Hans bids them all good evening,
but gazes round the small room
somewhat disconsolately, seeking for
that which he finds not. Oh for a
glimpse at small plump figure in a
dark serge dress, a pair Of bright,
dark eyes, and coral lips that part to
show a row of pearly teethl sighs the
young sighs and blindly
curses fate. because like many an
other foolish mortal he cannot see a
yard before his face.
"Ah, Hans, is it thou?" says laugh
ing, mischievous Gretchen. "Poor
Hansl / am sorry for thee if it is to
pay thy respects to our fair cousin
thou art come. r o. 1a a
"What folly Of Gretchen, to be
sure" grumbles Margot under her
breath. ''She will put my present
quite out of his stupid head, and we
all know that is what he has come
about" She moves quickly from
her seat and whispers to her mother.
An idea has struck her that after all
two small brackets, one for each side
of the chimney-piece, would be bet
ter than one. "Dost think it would
be too much to ask for?" she inquiries
of her mother.
But the good widow is so much
amused with the small domestic
economy going on before her that she
can scarcely pay due and proper az
tention to the weighty matter Of the
bracket.
As for Hans, if Margot and hen
wooden wedding ever been had very
prominent matters of interest in his
head, it is quite clear to them now.
At the present moment one idea