The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1877-08-17
air, Leslie stood talking to Barton Con

AT little distance from them stood
James Gray, watching with passionate
eyes every look of Leslie's face
Standing there Watching her, he felt
if she were to become Barton Conway's
wife-Oh, God he could not think ol
it.
From the day he had carried her.
senseless, in his arms, hope had sprung
anew in his heart.
When the great pain of her despair
was over, she would turn perhaps u
him, and if the earnest devotion Of bis
life could teach her 70 forget the pest,
he would be rewarded 1t was otpos-
siblc his great love could fail to wif
some love in return.
But when his hopes were highest,
wealth came to Leslie, and she left the
home that had sheltered her childhood,
and he knew she would meet Barton
Conway again,
She was 50 beautiful, then, with her
eyes raised to Barton Conway's face, her
lips parted in smiles, that it was more
than James Gray could bear; 50 he
turned away, his face strangely white,
and wandered out Of the gay rooms, and
passed into the conservatory, and stood
leaning against fower-wreathed col
umn.
How long he stood he could not tell,
but voices near him made him start
He was standing in the shadow Of
the pillar, as Leslie and Barton Conway
came over.
Before he could 60 forward, he heard
Barton's passionate, musical voice.
"Leslie-Leslie VIII you give me
the love again that you once gave me
Oh, my love tell me you do not forget
the old days, when you let me kiss youl
lips Y
He had no thought of failure. She
loved him then, she must love him now
and so he cssayed to draw her towards
him.
She drew back haughtily.
You say you love meP she said
quietly.
"I have always loved you" he said
"even when / left you"
And Leslie knew he spoke the truth
knew he had loved her as far as he wa
capable of loving anything but himself
She knew that he loved her bette
now than ever for he had given hi
love full sway, and this stately, proud
faced woman had won a deeper low
from him than the simple girl of eight
cen.
Were she to lose wealth and position
} now, he would still seek her for HI
r wife. He would not again give up tn
only woman who ever caused his hear
5 to thrill.
l Leslie, give me my answer, h
said, passionately.
g Your answer" she said, slowly, q
n this. Sooner would l 60 back to Il
e. obscurity Of my old life, thar becoiu
# your wife, Much as ] loved you one
/ despise you now Ny love died yea
d acoLfor / do not deny that ] loved 70
is but not forever could | love any one
Ye unworthy Of woman's love as yoV are
lie Leslie r
Miss Chetwynd," she said- loughir
{, lightly.
b His face grew white
}. aYou have trihed with me-" lie sni
h " and I know the reason you love q
q other" -
1t oYou presume" Leslie said, coldl
" "I may presume, but | speak t
truth, for you love James Gray =
a haps Miss Chetwynd will return to -
O. lie Gray again
in oYou have strangely forgotten yo'
If self. Mr.. Conway" she said, her J
I Inns curled with contempt, and withc
Nd anot,5r word he left her.
Ie- After he had gone, Leslie stood
g. moment silent, and then murmu'
fe. half aloud;
10 AIeslic Gray again wonder v
by it ever beT and then James Gray st'
before her !,
Ter aLeslie." !" he said, II heard all y
passed between you and Barton =
te- way. Leslie, darling, | love you.
.rl- have loved you from childhood
on my love, my darling can you forget
past pain and be happy in the 10y
'ur- offer your ;.n
the ii have already forgotten It, .
said. a red flush staining her iair i
she "and-and"
her aYou love me, darling, now
title me as much as you ever loved pa
over Conway Y
She smiled softly.
her, aThe love ! give you, she SAM
she the love of my woman's heart
and that can never die, or never grow
usly Oh. james, how could ever have I
Barton Conway
9Th There was no one looking 50 r.
ngth her to him, and kissing her scarlet
was whispered; ~
she aTell me, darling, when will yo'
the come Leslie Gray againp