The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1881-04-01


and bright lamplight, Ellie King looked
up and saw him of whom, in her month
of residence at the Orr Farm she had
heard not little, and decided with
a light sparkle of admiration in her eyes,
that it was all true SO far as Mr.. Cham
news appearance was concerned.
ssThis is Mr.. Chamney, Ellle, Mr..
Orr said. with certain little pride in his
oice. '.That is Miss King, our school
teacher. She boards here, and we're
proper glad to have her here, too.
Sydney bowed, and laughed at the un-
conventional introduction, and Ellie
smiled and flushed little-only Mr..
Chamney did not notice either partlcu-
larly.
saving to himself, sarcastically Heaven
preserve me- know 'em all alike.
Well, I'm only going to stay week,
anyhow
But. in Just exactly an hour, Mr.. sgd
ney Chamney had changed his mind,
having discovered that Miss Ellie King
was pretty, and lady-like, and intelli-
gent; altogether as different from the
species as a humming-bird from vul-
ture.
IA little beauty little diamondw
he decided, enthusiastically, which was
something very rare for him to do.
sWhat possible fate has placed her here,
in this out of the way corner OF. crea-
ton ?"
We'll, the week came to an end with
wonderful rapidity, and it seemed that
Ellie and Sydney had been acquainted
lifetime, instead of only seven days of
escorting her to the school-house, and
seeing her safely home in the little red
sleigh; of going on one or two skating
trips, and some brisk, delightful walks
to the village Post Office, ard seven
evenings of pleasant conversation; intri-
cate games of chess, or old-fashioned ap-
pie roasting frolics, or molasses-candy
making.
ST don't want to go away, at ALL" he
said, one bright, sharp morning, as he
drove her to school.
"But of course you must" she an
swered, gravely.
sIt seems that woman don't; at all
events, you DON'T" he said, lightly.
''Isn't it terrible bore to travel along in
the same rut, day after day, week after
week, as you do, Miss Ellie 2"
A wicked little sparkle was in her
eyes.
nothing, as you do"
"But was brought up not to have
anything much to do, you see. It makes
O difference"
She fixed her pretty, thoughtful eyes
on his handsome face.
'tOh, you are q rich man, then. I
thought, somehow, you were not"
He laughed-just the merest bit vexed
~ bo,. o;pooro FronHnooa
"Rich? No, I am not, unless you
call six hundred year fortune"
ssI don't earn half that, yet call my
self rich," Ellie said, quietly. s'But
perhaps you expect to inherit fortune,
Mr.. Chamney?"
"You saucy little catechistl No, I can't
say that do"
sThen, Mr.. Chamney, you mean to
say that you shall be content to go on,
so long as you live, idling away your
time in whatever amusement pleases you
for the moment, and having no good OBJ
ject to accomplish, no healthy discipline
of daily employment, just because you
happen to possess enough to feed and
clothe you ?"
There was a sweet, interested kindI-
ness in her manner, in her words, that
robbed them Of all their sting, and
Sydney Chamney looked almost rever-
emily at her.
"I-never really thought of 1t. But"
and a flush redeemed his handsome
suppose confess what do ex-
pect-what did expect to do, T mean.
Will you promise you won't quite de-
spise mel"
She smiled gravely.
s'I can tell you more truthfu1ly when
have heard what You have to say. What
is it?"
He looked earnestly in her sweet, wo-
manly face.
81 did intend to marry fortune, Miss
Ellie"
A painful flush surged over her
cheeks - involuntarily she shrunk
further away from him.
81 knew itp'. he said, impetuously.
"Didn't say you would despise me? OF
course, knew you would, when you
heard what had had in my mind, and
deserve to be despised. But don't for
get also said Lhad given up the idea,
for all she was one of the most charm
ingly lovely girls imaginable. if all that
her friends said of her was true, which
do not doubt. She would be a prize for
any man, even without her riches"
A silence between them followed, dis
turbed only by the soft clangor of the
bells on "Brown Bess'" shafts. Then
Chamney broke it:
.sWhy don't you ask me what has
changed my mind, Miss Ellie?"
"A swift, radiant look in her eyes was
instantly hushed.
Because I think you would tell me
if you want me to know" she answered,
readily.
ST do want you to know. 1t is your
ST? I? Why, Mr.. Chamney, how
when have impressed you to-"
He interrupted her eagerly.
sThere has not been an hour but that
I have been conscious of your influence
upon me, Ellie. Your words, your daily
toll, your cheerful acceptance of the
duties devolving upon you, have shown
me not only what selfish, worthless fell
low ! have been, but what self-reliant,
ambitious man purpose to make of my
self. Hitherto, in my absurd stupidity,
I Iactually have regarded myself as des-
tined to be saved from an honest, manly,
work-a-day ife-a sort of glorifed idiot,
to whom fortune must somehow come
with no effort of my own.
He paused, and Ellie looked up, al
most wistfully.
81 am so glad.
so am I. lam eager to begin-to be
of some use somewhere. What shall I
do, Ellie? Cut lumber. or cart ice, or