The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-03-12

BY THEODORE ARNOLD.
Perhaps the most cruel thing that can be
done on earth is to destroy woman 8 rep
utaton. It is bad enough if she is
guilty but n-she is innocent, how much
more terrible
Poor Agnes Cahill She knew what
trouble is. But, thank heaven she knew
what it is to be triumphantly vindi-
Gated.
Agnes was not beautiful, but she was
fascinating of those glowing Great
ures who draw as the fame draws the
moth. Her smile was sunshine, her voice
was birds voice, her every motion was
grace. Coquettish she was not yet there
were, perhaps, a score of men who
thought, or hoped, that she was in love
with them.
think Albert Vassar knew from the
first that there was no chance for him /:
yet he hovered about her, put on airs of
ownership, tried to keep others away,
and watched her with bitter, jealous eyes
Agnes stared, was annoyed, but pited
him, and hardly knew how to get rid of
him. She was too good-natured to show
him the door, to tell him to be gone, but
fancied she could mollify him with smiles
OF course, it was one of the worst mis-
lakes that she could make.
Albert Vassar was handsome, but had
q snaky beauty, small, slight, shining in
his black hair and black eyes, shining
with a marble wiliteness even in his regu-
lar little hateful nose, forehead, and
mouth. His dress was always immacu-
late; he had nothing else to think of,
8pd money enough and, though neither
witty nor wen-read, he managed to keep
up with the questions of the day, and
have sharp word to say about every-
thing.
s'What do You let him come here for,
Agnes? 2? / asked her one evening, when
the creature had been rendering himself
more than usually odiors.
oh, he doesn't mean to be disagree
able. she said, indulgently. "I don't
like to be hard on him. Besides, how
can I tell him to stay away ?''
You can say to him plainly, when he
snaps out any of his impudence, - said,
that you cannot allow your friends to
be insulted, or yourself TO be made I'M
comfortable"
The girls sweet face wore a troubled
look.
tsWhat can I dor she asked cit is
hard to be harsh to one who likes me.
Besides, I know that he is irritable and
unpopular, and since others viii not have
patience with him, that seems the very
Ac<AcO1 L SIOul(1. I'd BOOGI1e ana
coax him and, sometimes, you've no
idea how pleasant he is.t
Then You mean to let him drive all
your other friends away?" I asked,
GROSSLY.
Certainly not. But there is no
necessity for that. He isn't here all the
time. !"
But he is half the time,' / said.
$ And may I ask if you intend to marry
him ?''
Agnes looked at me in astonishment,
and, presently, with indignation. 81
consider that an insulting question, Mr..
Arnold, she said, coldly.
He means to marry you, - I said.
g You mistake !'' she exclaimed, blush
ing crimson g He never says anything of
the kind. And If he had such thought,
the very friendliness and patience with
which I treat him would show him how
vain 1t Is .
Opinions differ, . remarked, care
1essly, leaving my place at her side.
There was quite little company of us.
Agnes lived In house where there were
three other pretty girls, and where the
people liked gayety and every evening
that they did mott go out the parlor Was
full
Frank Jameson and Albert Vassar, both
on the watch, started at the same moment
AGft my BeaGs 70 take possession OF It,
Agnes saw them, and, with an affectation
Of nnconsciousness, got up, and walked
IN the direction Of Frank.
9 was coming for you to play game
OF chess, he said, eagerly.
She smiled and nodded, and the two
went toward the corner where the chess
table stood. glanced at Vassar.
He was looking like . thunder
cloud, making display of rage that
made me want TO kick him. One mo-
naent he hesitated, then, setting his head
N the air, for all the world like an angry
snake erecting his crest, started after the
two They placed the table and chairs,
without appearing to notice him and he
drew up chair beside that of Agnes.
nnd seated himself IN it with the air of
one who is mounting guard over his
property.
Change seats with me, Miss Cahill, .
sid Frank Ny chair is the better
one and yo1 viii have the light over your
nh0uIder."
She rose immediately and exchanged
With him. :Jameson1s chair being IN
recess where the other could not intrude
himself. Vassar ground his teeth, start
ed up, and seemed to be on the point Of
an explosion.