The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1881-07-08

Marian wondered how he was beaI
Ing the keen sorrow she knew h
was feeling, and comprehended a
the misery that was expressed 4
that sudden flight.
Edward Archer was paying lonI
visit to his relations. and SCENE,
very naturally to have slipped Int
the familiar intercourse that Jack ha,
50. freely INDUCED with the two girls
His admiration Of Nelly was opeI
and evident he praised her prett,
hair, her charming taste, her unfiag
Ing cheerfulness, with the utmos
freedom. With Marian he was mucI
less frank, yet he was always kind
ard attentive, and anxious for her {,
accompany th0m In all their expedI
tions-boatIng, croquet or lawn
tennis. Even when his summe
holiday was ended, and he had re
turned 10 town, Saturday and Sunday
frequently saw him at Bloxham
Nelly guessed very well what brough
him there, though he did declare
that the boating there was lrresIsti
BILE, ana an afternoon on the river
was better than any am ount OF tonic.
On Saturday afternoon, late In the
Autumn, he called, and found Nelly
out.
f1f we walt till she returns he
said TO Marian, 1--WE shall get nc
boating, for the afternoons are grow.
Ing very short. VIII you not come
mt once T'
Marian hesltated.
s'Nelly will not be In till tea time
II you are to 60 At all, you must not
walt for her," Mrs. Manners remark
ed, sand, indeed, Marian, I think
you require q little air you have
been staying In, dear child, with me
all the week"
Marian was quite pleased 20 have
the recreation, only little perplexed
that Edward should be 50 willing 70
start without Nelly. She was still
more perpIexed when, on reaching
the river, Edward quietly remarked /:
"Will you mind taking walk
along this lovely bank instead OF
having q row this afternoon ?''
'fNot at ALL" Marian replied, un-
susplciously. "Perhaps you are
feeling tired"
"No, It Is not that. A boat Is not
the most convenient place for con.
versation, and I want TO talk to you,
Marian"
"It Is about Nelly" thought Mar
Ian, warned by something In his
tone and manner aud somehow,
gentle and unsel6sh as she was, poor
Marian shrank with an unaccounta-
BILE dread from hearing the news that
she felt was coming.
She was one Of those girls to when
every one came with their confidsn-
ces, never taking into consideration
the possibility Of her own feelings
being enlisted In the trouble for
which they claimed her sympathy.
IL had been so often before, and
Marian had not shirked the pain thus
Inflicted, so now she put aside all
things OF self, and prepared to hear
Edwards stery and to aid him in any
way that lay In her power.
They walked on some little dis
tanee In silence. Edwards usual
nonchalant ease OF manner seemed 10
have deserted him entirely. BE
looked anxious and distressed start
ed conversation several times on
some commonplace subject, and as
abruptly quilted Il, aud finally drew
up suddenly under little clu-Dp ol
OF trees, gazing abstractedly into the
river.
"I think / can guess what you
want 10 tell me-" Marian ventured tC
say, presently, In pity for his evident
distress, yet wondering why he should
be so difIiident.
30, no." he exclaimed, hastily,
Marian? Did you imagine / had
"fsllen In love with the prettychild?'
"Yes," she replied, and then her
eyes fell before his, and in a moment
she saw all her mistake.
"Marian, love you; you think
ann rash; but 1t seems to me ages
since j first loved you. could mol
wait to know my fate any longer.
Tell me that have not ruined my
cause by my haste"
Who could have believed. thai
quiet Marian, who all this time had
cheerfully resigned to Nelly the at
tention that her sister so naturally
claimed, had known her own mind
perfectly well, and, in spite Of her
surprise, could give her lover hel
answer without q moments hesita
tion.
"Mamma, look at Edward and
Marianp Nelly cried, sharply, peer
ing through the deepening gloom al
the two figures csming up the gar
den walk.
"Whst can 1t mean%'
They came up to the open French
window, against which Nelly and hel
mother were sitting, Their talk wal
soon told, but Nelly did not stop Il
hear 1t; she had fed across the room
Marian found her lying across
the bed, In perfect abandonment ol
agitation.
go, Marian, how could you-hov
could you?' she sobbed out. .'Yot
have all agreed 10 deceive me. Wh'
could have dreampt II Of either o
your'
"My darling, / was afraid OF this
you make me so unhappy" MariaI
cried, walking up and down tn,
In an agony Of grief and remorse
ssIf only 1t could have come to yo'
more gently! To think ! should Civ
you this painl! Oh, Nelly, You know
~ = a -