The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-06-21
TIE sIOlEN IOCKET.

Elans whose genteel peaftnRt oroaC, no
bic brow, from which his chestnut hail
was tossed back In graceful carelessnesa
and large, thoughtful eyes, bespoke hin
TO be one Of nasare's noblesnen. II.
vas evidently waiting impatieistly fol
some one; for, as = slight noise WI.
heard on the landings he would start
and fix his eyes eagefiy upon the door
AZ last, appareatly unAkle TO sit still
any longer, he arose, and walking TO the
window stood tapping herEOHsly OH the
glass, and watching, with listless eyes
the chameleon like crowd athat passed
While thus occupied be failed to hear q
slight rustic. as girlish figure entered
the room, and, gliding softly TO his side,
touched him lightly apon the arm bis
quick start, aud the loving yet gentle
manner IN which be gathered her TO his
heart. showed at glance that they
Wors lovers.
White they hold sweet converse, lei
us pause for momsnt, while l describe
my heroine.
She was of medium height. of slefi.
der. delicate figure, aud possessed q
I.amsless grace Of movement, which,
added to her other charms, had won her
the name amoag her many Sdmirefs sf
"Nellis the Irresistible.s Her beauty
was Of the true blonde type, and. clad
As she was in q shining blas dress, she
looked worthy Of the name. On her
arms cleaned with tawny luster broad
golden bands, and from one Of these,
susl ended by . snall chain, hang tiny
heattshaped iocket, one side of whiet,
bore AfSrget-me-ROt sst 0ftHrquoise, with
brilliant diamond sparkling ia the
center. a A
Guy Hartley, for such was our here's 5
name, had called. glad Of An excuse, TO
,cquaint Nellie with some arrangement
which he had Just completed with re-
gard totheir soon approaching marriages
and, after short time passed in pleas
ant convetsation, be reluctantly arose,
and, bidding tender adieu 70 the fair
girl, left the house with krn, elastic
tread. h 81
Hardly had he taken his departure,
when the front deor-bell again rang and
snce more a young gentleinhn was nah-
cred into the drawinglUo1a. Tho nav
conner was tall and slight, with Jet black
hair, and a piercing look in the black
eyes that bOded no good to an enemy.
As he sank into chair, something glis-
tening upon tho hoor caught his eye
slld as be recognized il he could scarce
eefrain from shout Of pleasure, fer Fred
Acton had long been the secret rival Of
Guy, each striving 10 win the hand of
fair Nellie Pomeroy And now, a. Ne
held in his grasp the tiny lecket, which
BY some evil chance bad become de-
tachsa from the bracelet on Eellie's arm,
he felt that he possessed an alsaest GER
tain means of revenge en- Guy, and
stood, perhaps, better chance Of win
ning the fair girl for his wife for the
iocket, as he knew, had been Guys frst
love7gift to Nellie, and was priIsd As
one of her choicest possessions.
At this moment the footman entered
the parlor, presenting Miss Pomsroy 5
regrets, and request that Mr. Acton
would excuse her that afternoon, The
truth was that with her wemanly intui-
tiOn she had long age OWNED the secret
which he thought was kAswR TO himself
alone; and having ever treated him with
polite indiffeI ence she felt less inclined
now than ever to endure 3 tets-a-tete
with him. sA
Rising as the foOtman entered with
her message, and scarcely able 70 ca.
ceal the pleasere Is Afforded him at this
moment, wkea he wsa still trembling
with the fear Of having beea seen as he
hastily hid the shining baWble in his
boaom, he left his compliments and de
parted. - ~
Going directly to jewelers. he pul
chased small ring, with which he fast
ened the lockst securely TO bis watch
chain, and then saunteued down the
street, in the hope Of meeting Gay. His
wish was destined to be fulfilled; for he
was shortly grati6ed by seeing Guy ap-
preaching, with = serene, eontentsd look
on his handsome face.
Ashley stopPsd to chat, Fred, as if
anxious ts conceal something, placed
his hand careleSsly on his watch-chain
but Guy, as was intended, noticed the
action, and said laughingly: "Whas is
it that you are so jealously guarding,
Ered2 "A love token froHs some fair
lsdyF' <
"Yes; but for fear that it might
blight your hopes in'that direction, per
haps had better not show it to you at
present, laughed false Fred, nervous
y.
"Oh, never fear for nae !" said Guy,
"fer l have already sagOd my bird, and
so shall not prove dangerous rival to
your suit |" ~
4Wrll. then, s,shclar' rsplied Fred,
removing his k,i,;ys, and tlisclssing to
view the tiny locket. s
Guy turned pale as death, but mas
tering bis emotion by aviolsnt sfort, he
playfuliy insisted upon knowing the
name Of Fred's charmer.
"Oh, come" said Fred, ''you are
feigning inRocencs; for surely you must
often have seen this triAket upon the
arm Of fair Nell the irresistible who
has this day bestowed it 1pOh me as q
pledge of her true love-"
Guy bad stood az if tarned to stone
while this AippaAt speech was being rat
tied out, and then, with few common
placs words, passed on; but his tread
was not as free and elastic as before be
net Fred, and his head, which then had
been raised proudly, was now bent for
ward dejectedly; for dark cloud had