Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-07-29
Richard Rays New Year.

Richard Rays New Year.
Richard Ray was a wanderer from
his home, an alien from his native
land, and had been such for four years
S~ifshpess an! dishonesty was the
csus. selfshness and dishonesty on the
part of oue ne had tenderly loved as
sister; one who was his step sister.
Mary Mason, the daughter of his
ST. p-mother, was fifteen years older than
blm.elf. At the time Of his fathers
second marriage, he was five years Of
age, the youngest of the family. Before
hesreachetl twelve his two older brothers
died; therefore he and Mary were tn,
only remaining children. She was
married when Richard was nine years
old-Dick they always called him--and
was soon the happy possessor of fine
little dau2 hter Edith.
Although she was now Mrs. r ,berts,
and her home ia the city fifty miles
distsrt, Mary was often at Col. Rays,
and Dick was pever so happy as when
with Baby Edith. She would laugh
and crow ut sight of him, and nestle IN
his arms as though he were her natural
protector.
The years passed on, and the baby
outgrew her childhood, the youth his
boyhood, but neither poted nor cared
to note the change. When Edith. at
seventeen, came down from the city.
sue greeted "dear old Dick with q
kiss on either cheek, just as she had
done when hut seven. She would drive
to the flee every day, at four O'Clock,
for him, and together they would enjoy
= fine ride about the country. The re
!. salt of their lifelong intercourse was
that this charming. lovely little Eiith
stole into Richard Rays heart, there to
remain through all stress Of time or
change. Solemn, staid, tender and true
Kichsrd-whose heart was thought by
his lady friends to be adamsntine, So
little impression could they make upon
it. But he possessed depth of affection
equaIed by few.
Col. Ray, his father, was owner of q
large mill property, which for many
years had done thriving business; and
as be was prudent und economical. he
became possessed of large wealth. Just
how this wealth was to be disposed OF
was constant query With Mrs. Rob
erts. If she could only manage to OBJ
tain portion of it she felt she could
the easier facilitate her plans. She
desired Edith to make brilliant city
match. This she was sure could not be
nDisss her husbands financial prospects
changed. The thought that she could
eve, marry Richard never entered hel
mIud.
Mrs. Ray, Ter mother, died abou,
this time. and before the year ended the
old colonel died also. Then it was
fOurd lie had bequeathed his entire
estate to his wife and her heirs for
ever.
This was blow to Richard. He haG
worked in his fathers counting.room
for years. since he left school. No ont
understood or could conduct the mil
business like himself. It was st
strsDgei Only the week before hi
father had told him how he wished
vari ma matters arranged; and although
he did not say, Dick knew he mean
~heh he snouiu bs no more. And nov
to find that be had given their home
their mills, property which had been il
The fSmlly gent ratioDs, to his step
4 mother, and, as she WAS dead, to hel
dau9hter-be could not comprehend il
Bot re kept his own counsel, and 81
Mrs. Roberts announced her ioteptiol
OF taking residence at the old plac'
soon. and placing her husband enptr
inteLdent Of the factory business, Rlch
ard would not be needed.
Tue only way in which he could &C
count for the turn affairs had taken va
this: Seven years before, when Rich
ard was tweuty-one, he had very sc, lou
thoughts Of joining the army. This hi
father sternly opposed; he had set hi
heart on his cDly sons following hi
business and succeeding him in il
He became so wroth that he eve
threatened to disinheTit him if he pul
sued the plan, and ihtimaiei that he ha
already given the property to bis VIII
and her heirs. Not fear of losing hi
inheritance, but duty to his father, kek
Richard from the battlefield; but tL
Was seven years before, and since tn.
time he bad been his fathers contidap
bis trusted, faithful son. It was a
very strange to him, as he sat in the oil
counting-room for the last time, whe
the mill operatives came. one by on
to cay farewell, for on the morrow |
would sail for tie East Indies. there
begin life anew, among strange peop
in foreign land.
It was hard to leave the homo of b
boy hood, hard to break away from Hi,
dred ties and old associations, b,
hardest of all to part from Edith. ST
knew nothing Of the love Richard boz
her, so could not dream of the struge
1t cost him to leave her. He lust toe
her hand at parting, kissed her cheel
and bade her. in quiet even tones, to |
a,good girl until his return, while 81
chung soebing to him, beseeching hi
not to 60 away.
Tue good ship sailed. and in dr
season reaohed her destined port, al
Richard Ray began his new life. y
will not follow him in it, but recross Il
ocean to hi, old home.
4 Miss Kate Ray. maiden sister Of o.