The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-08-25
For Better, For Worse.

Upon the terrace of the priacipal
hotel at Whitecliff two ladies' sat Ia
conversation, unheedlng, because of
listener behind the closed blinds OF
window near them. Not an inten.
tlonal listener, for he was deeply
absorbed In the contents OF a newly
arrived letter. when the sound OF his
own name attracted his attention.
One OF the pretty young matrons was
speaking, and said
II can't imagine how such spark.
liag, brilliant woman as Mrs. Lancas-
ter ever came TO marry that solemn
piece Of granite. Edward i.ancas-
ter"
"Solemn piece OF granite One Of
our most profnund scholars, Edith.
i thorough gentleman. too, aud very
wealthy"
"Wealthy!" repeated the first
speaker. suppose that accounts for
1t. She married him f,r his money,
of coprse."
'iAna spends Il royalty. / can't
imagine Edith Lancaster without
the s'irFoucdings OF money. Her
dresses, her jewels, her carnage seem
very part OF her"
s.Bat she wenid be beautiful In n
print dress and a straw hat"
"Here she comes now, Ia her new
yachting dress. l. she not lovely
The dark eyes behind the closed
bind followed the same direction a.
those Of the two ladies. Coming
towards the hotel was mei ry party,
who had been 0n the water for sever.
al hours, and prominent in a group oi
pretty women wss a tall slender
brunette, ia a jtunty dress OF blue
cashmere with gilt buttons and a
broad hat, from which could be seen
face of exquisite beauty. The per-
feet oval OF shape. the clear, olive
complexion and crimson cheeks, the
regular features and large dark eyes,
were all In an Oriental Style while
the masses of purple black hsif need
ed NJ artificial additions u wreath
the smail, shapeIy head with heavy
broid-.
Sne was chatting merfily, aud
laughing, as she talked, as II youth
and happiness were personiGed IN
her beautiful face.
Tie man who watched her from
the closed blinds was tall, broad
shouldered and s;reng- featured. His
hair, thick and curling, was iron
gray, and piled high above "A massive
forehead his eyes were deep-set,
but very large ard full OF earnest
expression. Not a handsome man,
but one whose air Of distinction was
undoubted--a man who would bC
noticed in any assemblage of men.
/ As be watched the radiant figure
in the sunlight, coming towards him
the shadow upon his brow grew deep
or every moment, TIL, with a groan
he rose and went to his own room
closing the door behind him.
There was little resemblance 4
granite in bis face AS he paced up an,
down this room. l. worked eonvuI
-ively, aud the enoiious that in {
woman w0uld have been vented Il
passionate tears found expression
only IN an occasional sigh that was
groan.
He was living over the last tire
years of his life, as he walked up anC
down. Until that time he had beel
a scholar only. With large wealth
inherited from bis father, he had dt
voted himself to the acq ilsiticn {
knowledge, living in his library, e,
cept when he travelled, always
pursuit of some light upon a favorit
science or study. His meney matter
were arranged by his lawyer, and hi
household affairs by housekeeper
: while books were his world.
i From this scholarly conclusion /
the ago of forty-hve he was awakene
: by call of friendship, being sun
: moned by an Old schoolmate wh
besoUght him to become gu srdlan
a very modest fortune he was abol
to leave to his only child. O5eyin
!. this sumrnons, Edward Lancast,
s found his friend already deas
! and the orphan turning to him Il
II 7Fr n 4.