The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-05-07

down with 5alEyexed expression into
the pretty but saucy face OF his be-
trothed.
''Indeed, Ieslie,'' she answered, pet
tishly, 81 do not know why you OBJ
Ject to my receiving attention from Mr..
Laurens. He is gentleman, aud is
always kind and obllging. And as TO
my being more choice in regard to my
friends, tiatter myself | usually keep
good company. You are rathe: in-
clined to be tyrannical," she ADDED,
looking up sideways into his face.
i "Now, Minnie, you know me better
than that / could net act the tyrant
| with you it tried. Promise me what
asked yoa,'' he urged.
81 cannot, Leslie. Don't be so
foolish Even il wished it | am not
at liberty to do SO, as have already
made three positive engagements with
Mr. Lanrens for this week. Tonight
party OF four ladies and an equal
number of gentlemen intend going up
the river in . yacht. To morrow night
the same party is going TO aErs. Barton's
masquerade ball Then
''stop, Minnie 20 he interrupted,
shortly. "Do yon mean to tell mc
yon intend to make one in these par
ties with Laurens for your escort go
"Most certainly / do. Why not ?''
"For more reasons than one. In the
first place | object to your going on the
river except with your father or me.
Next, / have a particular aversion to
masquerade parties. aud will not tanc-
ton your appearing at Mrs. Bartol,'s
in company with Laurens."
s'Wiii not SANCTION. An agreeable
expression to make n~e OF to ls..lv |!
! Surely you are beginning early to c"nl-
mand But let me tell You a,n nos
40 willing to obey, ani intend TO ac-
cept the attentions of Slr. Laurens or
any other gentleman choose! You
are selfish You will not pay me at
tention yourself, yet deprive me OF the
privilege of another's company"
avery well, Minnie, since you view
matters in that light, the only thing
left for me TO do is to bid you good.by
forever"
? "Forever " she repeated in startled
: tone.
"Yes, forever, unless you promise
what ask. Now, Minnie, if you love
me you will not let that man come be.
tween us. You cannot have bis COM
e pany and my attentions at the sam e
time; you must choose between Gs.
Which shall il be 90 he asked, feeling
confident her choice wo"ld be in his
u favor.
IS lie did not know that when way.
ward woman's pride is hurt she will DC
u many foolish things, utterly regardless.
J. of consequences. Minnie paused for a
moment. then, slipping the engagement
= ring from her finger, she handed is te
him, saying
> "You are free; now CO."
> "Be it as you wish,' he said, COOL,
- placing the ring in his pocket; II hop,
y you will rot have cause to regret you
D. choice" And will, bow he turnet
and lett her.
No sooner had he departed thar
= Minnie threw herself on sofa ant
10 cried as ifher heart would break. Sin
truly loved Waldo, but she was
D spoiled darling, the only chili Q
= wealthy parents, who were devoted I,
"a their hearts treasure. This was he
~ first quarrel with her lover, to whom
lt she had been betrothed yesr. II
Z was ten years her senior, and she wa
10 not yet eighteen. They had met At th
ID seaside, where they were spending Oh
. summer months, when she was bu
~ fifteen, aud, notwithstanding th
" difference in their ages, had bee
l mutually pleased with each othey.
~ 1Iinnie's parents were satisfied wit
IL their future son-in-law. lie was ply
e sisian in good practice in the town o
- IL, some fifty miles from. Minnie
to bone, and was aleo in possession OF
RS moderate fortune. Owing TO the dil
y tanee between them, be could not,
TO course, be as attentive to her as |,
would have wished but lie being of
ep manly, generous disposition, was rer
sh reasonable and wished his promise
wife to enjoy herself in reasonabl
on way, but in this instance, as we has
an seen, she had taxed his good-paturc to
ht far he did not dream OF her actin
merely out of I'iqne, and was too Ii
'er tie veiscd in the ways OF woman, All
- too matter-of fact himself, 10 think