The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1878-11-09

Jacks heartstrings rather hard; but he
was gentle and patient when ] firted
with the country lads, and when | was
wild and wayward he didn't demonstrate.
But one day there came along city
chap, who engaged board for the sum
'mer at farmhouse in the neighbor-
hood.
'SThis Clarence Devarges, as he was
called, was handsome, well dressed, and
had that polished indescribable air that
is so fascinating to most silly girls. Jack
was kind and well-mannered, but he
didn't have a bit o. style about him,
but style was what dotted on III those
days. So / snubbed Jack, and smiled
on Mr.. Devarges when he offered his at
tentions | firted most dreadfully with
him till even generous Jack was dis
pleased.
Zone morning, looking somewhat
grave and sad, he came into the ticket
office. The last passenger had gone, and
the train was moving out. Jacks train
had stopped to take freight.
s'Well, how long is this thing going to
last2' said Jack.
"What thing 2" I snapped out.
"Why, this affair with Devarges | see
it is going beyond mere Irritation"
'sPray, what of it
'sOnly that | do not wish my future
wife's name joined in with that of a."
Jack paused here, and added earnestly:
"Well, i warn you against this fellow.
Who knows what he is y
"Mr. Devarges is perfect gentleman,
and that is more than one can say of
some others, ] said hotly. "And, Mr..
Holly, in regard to your future wife, |
believe do not aspire to that honor
and-and here is your ring. | drew off
the golden band and handed it to him"
"Nell, do you mean this y inquired
Jack, with white lips
Eyes, | do. I'm tired of your carp
ing and criticizing the affair may be
ended now and forever" / said, pet
tishly.
$50 be it then. Goodbye" said
Jack; and without another word he left
the room.
'sTo tell the truth l hadn't meant half
| said, and every minute expected that
Jack would kiss me and we'd make up.
A mist came over my eyes as | watched
his fast disappearing train, and I would
have INDUCED in good cry, but just
then the special came putting up and
the president of the road came in. He
was kind old gentleman, whom had
known since / was wee girl.
| "Good-day, Miss Nellie. Everything
prosperous, hope; Will you do fa-
vor for met
Certainly, sir, if | can
"'Well, you see, when we were COM
ing down / met gentleman that owed
me some money; paid me 5000, and
now / don't know what to do with it, as
we are going up into the woods to see
about laying out new railroad. We
shall be gone two days. Don't want to
take the money with me; will you take
charge of it while I'm gomez
"1f you'll trust me.
"'Bless my soul yes, of course; here
is the money. Must hurry away. Good
morning
Scarcely had portly Mr.. Sayre gone
away before Mr.. Devarges came saun-
tering in.
Scot quite little sum there, haven't
you, Miss Nellie 2 eyeing the bills in my
hand
"sYes,' L replied, laughing, 'Mr
Sayre has made me his banker. Look
Six hundred dollars ! How rich / should
| feel if it were mine.
"tYou deserve to have much more
and doubtless that pretty face Il win it.
Somehow this bold compliment failed
to please, and it was with coldness that
| said :
"Take chair, Mr.. Devarges'
"sNo, thank you, Miss Nellie; / have
an appointment But will you allow
me to call on you this evening y
"sWell,. / scarcely think [ shall be al
home. You know mother and sister
Lulu are away, and I little while ago
got word from grandmother saying, per
haps, | had better come and stay all
night with her.
ut was true that had received such
word from grandma, but / had not
thought of accepting it. [ had hoped
that Jack would come and make up, and
of course, didn't care to have Mr.. De.
varges call at the same time.
"'What will you do with your money,
Miss Nell 7 carelessly inquired Mr.. De
varges.
/ ".Oh, l shall put it right here in this
drawer No one knows about it, and ii
will be perfectly secure
"Dare say-good morning, and, with
courtly bow, my admirer left.
/ "All during the aay / busted myself
about my duties, and when night came
put on the dress Jack liked best, and
anxiously waited his coming
| ''Seven o'clock eight o'clock nine
clock The last train had come and
gone, and my duties for the day were
over. put out the light in the ticket
office, went into the sitting-room, and
sat and waited. Ten o'clock Half
past ten No use waiting any longer
he wouldn't come.
81 went to the door, opened it, and
looked out. There seemed everything
weird about the whole landscape. Even
the shadows seemed alive. The sky was
becoming overcast, and the moon peeped
out of an inky-black cloud. The frogs
down by the river were croaking dis
mally; the wind seemed to whisper and
moan.
81 shivered out with nameless
dread, and closed the door; went to
bed and cried myself to sleep.
81 had slept an hour, perhaps, and
then awoke with sudden start, feeling
great difficulty in breathing. A part
of the quilt lay across my mouth, /
thought, but on reaching my hand to re-