The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-01-25
A PAIR OF DOVES.
BY L. DAvEAU.

I
sions Of love advanced by her fatterers
She was but poor society, and her cold
indifference, coupled with persistent coy
ness soon discouraged them. aHops
deferred maketh the heart sick, and
receiving not the slightest scintillation
of hope from her, they gradually beat
an unwilling retreat to s'fresh fields and
pastures new"
1t must not be supposed that Rosa
line was an illiterate girl-not at all
for she possessed fine education, but
like many young ladies, she knew little
how to use it to advantage.
Moreover, her maiden aunt had early
instilled into her too susceptible mind
that the only true way of insuring hen
earthly happiness was to turn deaf ear
to whatever ''selfish man" might whis.
per, and to defeat their attempts tc
make ''lovely woman" his slave.
Thus, working upon her credulity,
Rosaline looked upon n man as some
terrible incubus to be avoided. But her
better nature revolted one day, and she
threw off the yoke.
Rosaline had cage, containing two
pet doves, hanging over the porch, lead.
ing to her garden. Her young brother,
Harry, mischievous and playful, opened
the door of the cage and was in an &C.
stasy of delight upon seeing the doves
escape from their prison and fly away.
RosaliHe soon discovered her loss, and
in sore distress of mini she renaired tu
the drawing room, threw herself upon a
sofa and gave vent to her troubles thus:
'.To think now that my darling pets
are gone! Not even my birls can re-
main unmolested Because pm partic-
.lar, and strive to keep my things in
order I am continually ridiculel and
allied an old maid; but that I'll never
'e. Pve acted foolish in the past, but
sill not do so in the future Ny eyes
are opened to my errors, and in spite Of
anss ur uilcles L u l.se nay own judg-
1 mt and marry whom / clIlose
A gentle tap at the door caused her
start up; she c. .iened it and discover
Il fine-looking, well-dressed gentleman
'pon the step.
"Who is it you wish, siri'
''Iou, if You please"
"You are somewhat abrupt in veur
rnswer. What am to understand by
an explain sitting; so with your
lermission-"
He placed his hat and cane upon the
able, and coolly seated himself, mucl
% her establishment. who tartly said:
'But did not give you permission
SIR"
True; I'm sorry that your lack o
etiquette does not correspond with youl
beauty"
"slr," retorted she, pi9ued; ''youl
ru1eness does not qualify me in termins
you a gentleman.
"Only my enemies insinuate that Tn
not, replied he, dryly.
''Then consider me your bitteresl
enemy"
"lt would require considerable long
time for me to consider anything 81
inconsiderable in that consideration
This retort was too much for Rosa
line. There he sat, complacently gain:
upon her as she stood at a convenient
distance from him. Her eyes snapped
ire; her lips firmly compressed, Will,
her delicate fingers worked nervously
suggesting a fierce desire to fan tn,
offenders face. But she quickly con
quered her anger, and said, with moel
politeness, pointing to the door:
excuse me sir, but will you have th,
/ -.
color the outside of that door is paintedl
with the most exquisite pleasure,
said he, with nonchalance, and withou
moving. sit is painted green; / no
ticed the color when entered-quit'
green; color, l presume, deneting th'
verdant proPensities of those dwellin!
within"
81 will call for help, if"
"Allow me to do so" said he, rising
and bowling; anything to please you.
"But you don't please me, and what
more, never can"
"Now, I wager I can please yOu," h
said, boldly.
"And I wager you can't, sir" an
swered she, in like manner
"What do you wager"
"My hand" said Rosaline, defantly
and drawing herself up proudly; 'yey
my hand to you in marriage if you sur
ceed in your egotistic boast What d
you wager in return, siri"
"My full consent to your marryin
me-"
"You are really too absurd, SIR"
"Humphl most men are when the
contemplate matrimony."
Rosaline could not he, smiling a
his ready repartee, il, s9'te of her anger
and looked upon him with deep comml
Grafton at the thought of his boaste
intent to make her pleased with him
it was simply preposterous. He me
her steady gaze without the least sho'
of surrender, whereupon she broke th
silence with a merry peal of laughte
and remarked, with de9ision
"Well, of all the impudent locers
ever met, you are the paragon"
"Ah, then you admit of having r.
ceived the attentions of manhood stricl
en- by your charms"
81 am not bound to admit anythin
to you, sir.
''As you say; so 1 win save you tt
trouble of admitting the fact, by assn
ing you that know all about your lit
love affairs"
"You are very presuming, sir. Ho
can my affairs concern you?"
! "What an incorrigible little tyral
you are. Hayn't I insinuated that