The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-06-25

81 Stink any one could look more
con s,is or handsome than Hattie
HadsFfsI as She sat making the hot coffee
IN the snug study, clad in rich garment
of somber hue. but of exquisite Workman
| ship anti finish. Her father still alive,
| WAS sen. ed In the self same chair His
h .ad WAS very white and quite bowed on
his breast, and his long, thin fingers beat
time restiessly. She spoke only few
words to him now and then, and they
We're carcssing and such as might have
been used TO Il child.
AT last she settled herself in her own
lounging chair, and opening new book
was soon deep in It, Gradually the new
book found lis resting place on the floor,
and Hattie reposed calmly.
There was a rumblins of hack wheels
close to the sidewalks, and then a halt.
But there was no magnetism III the mir
to warn Hattie of any one being near her
| more than that gentle, shadowy man whom
she had tended for so many years. Then
footsteps IN the hall aad hand on the
door.
Even the seven sieepers awakened at
last. and when the doc: opened Hattie
started to her feet, fully prepared to deny
that she had been otherwise than awake.
| Then came face, bronzed, fiery red.
| full blue eyes and altogether strange to
| Hattie-at least, She had seen sucli in her
dreams. 4 mass of hair, beard, n,ustaclic
and whiskers of hue which WAS pale
only beside the face. All this surmount-
ed figure huge in every way, but especial
| ly in breadth.
Hattie stood wondering, and the figure
stood wondering also. Like the Ancient
Mariner, s.he fixed her with his glttering
eye" and as he performed the operation
he drew Off wrapping after Wrapping, and
at length stood confessed as Joe Berth
field, weighing at the very least calcula-
ton 220 pounds.
Then tlle blue eyes danced with anltise-
lnent, the white teeth showed themselves,
and hearty, tuil, sonorous laugh broke
| the ice.
''Hattie, do you know me ?'' He stepp-
ed forward and kissed her, at first lightly
on the checks, and Il en-, putting her hack,
with another glance and ano; her laugh, he
followed up that kiss by many others,
| and they came go fast and warIa that
Hattie had not really presence of mind to
| resist.
| Il understand you are still Hattie Had
win, or you would not have seen me here
! tonight. So this is your father ?''
She led him mp to the old man gently.
1 - ~.
| quite childish now: Something ia !he
subdued, womanly tone OF HattIe's voice
gave Berthfieid a choking sensation.
| However Re cleared his throat and shook
hards vi ith Mr.. Hadwin.
The poor gentleman looked up with his
wan, comprehensive smile.
You'll be kind to Hattie-youll be
kind to her - and then he ratified on in
colerently.
Hattie had not forgotten how 10 blush,
anu at the random speech OF her father the
blood rushed up IN torrents to the hair
roots, leaving transient crimson on her
throat and neck.
Apparently this enchanted Joe, for he
| rubbed his hands and tn gged at his tawny
| DCslTtIS anu SstL U0Wn anu watched Hattie
as she poured out coffee for him, with tile
bright, cheerful and trusting look of twer-
ty years before.
''Ah, Hattie" he continued, langhingly,
II swore that were you faded, worn and
s!iriveletI, would still be true but you
| have not fretted for me-you have not the
| assurance to pretend l.? Am absoived
from my oath ~
Hattie raised her eyes with malicious
glance, sighitying s.Et tu Brdeif
'.Yes, know lie added, surveying
rather ruefully his own ample person,
Eve have both nsuel, to forgive
There was no explanation asked, for
none was reqaired-th they both felt supreme
ly happy. They had each done their
duty. not sadly aud stcrnly, but merrily
and we'll. = .sf.