The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-08-26


md evergreen boughs. And mother
would be proud to welcome you to the
old farmhouse, Dolly. Your oleander
tree is kept carefully at the south win
dow, and"
'Dear me-" ,carelessly interrupted |
Dolly. "why don't they put it IN the |
greenhouse"
Because, Dolly" said the young
man, reddening, sit reminds us of you.
And the meadow lark in the cage sings
beautifully; and old red Brindle has a
little spotted calf"
HAS she?" asked Dolly indifferently.
John Deadwood looked hard at her.
dolly" said he, "you don't care
about the old home any longer"
eyes, I do, said Dolly, rousing her
self; "but-"
She paused suddenly, the rosy color
rushing in earmine tide to her cheek,
an involuntary smile dimpling the cor
ners of her mouth, as she glanced through
the smilax trails in the window.
John Deadwood, following the diree-
ton of her eyes, glanced, too: just in
time to see a tall gentleman lift his hat
SIS that it?" asked John bitterly.
lis what?" petulantly retorted Dolly.
"I'm sure I don't know what we are
ss nding here for, and with the % extra
,uquets to make up by o'clock. That's
all, think, John. Don't forget the
lilies of-the-valley,"
"But you haven't answered me,
Dolly"
Answered you what?
"About the dance in the barn, and
coming back with me when the wagon
returns at five o'clock.
It's quite out of the question, said
Dolly, listessly
Dolly !"
Well"
"You promised me, years ago"
Nonsense !" said Dollie, finging the
azaleas and pinks about in fragrant con-
fusion. '' / was only child then"
But you have no right to go back on
your word, child or no child"
never promised, John.
But you let me believe one day
you would be my wife. And have lived
on the thought of it Dolly, ever since.
And if this situation of yours should
break up my life's hope
"Don't hope anything about me,
John !" brusquely interrupted the girl.
Here comes q customer. Please, John,
don't stand there any longer looking like
ghost,
And honest, heart-broken John turned,
and went with heavy steps out to where
the wagon stood and old Roam was wait
ing, with down dropping head and half
closed eyes.
"It does seem to me" he muttered
between his teeth, that there's nothing
to live for any longer"
Dolly looked half remorsefully after
him.
GIVE almost mind to call him back, "
she said to herself, as she picked out a
bunch of white violets for the new
conner. 81 do like John Deadwood but
think he has no right to consider him
self engaged to me, just because of that
boy and girl nonsense. Ones ideas
change as one gets along in life.
And Dolly's cheek was like the refiec.
tion of the pink azaleas, as she thought
of Mr.. Fitzalan and the turquois ring that
he had given her as a oth-plight.
And Mr.. Frixham came in presently.
GIVE note from the Sedgewicks, on
Fifth avenue" he said hurriedly. "They
always order their flowers from Servoss'
but Servoss has disappointed them.
| The want the house decorated for a
party to-night-there's not minute to
lose. I've telegraphed to Bottoms for
hundred yards of smilax and running
| fern, and hundred scarlet pointsettas
and ! think we can manage the rest our
selves. You had better go at once, Miss
| Pentield, and plan the decoration
! you've pretty good taste of your own and
I'll send up the flowers, with Hodges to
help you"
And Dolly went, her mind still on the
turquoise ring, with it's band of virgin
| gold and its radiant blue stone.
The Sedgewi,k mansion was brown
stone palace, with plate glass easements
and vestibule paved with black and
| orange marble.
Mrs. Sedgewick, stately matron, in
Vatican wrapper and blonde cap, re-
ceived Dolly in the great drawing
room.
"Ohr' said she, lifting up her eye
glasses, 'you're from the florists, are
you? Well, know nothing about these
things-I only want the rooms to look
elegant. Tell your husband to spare no
expense"
''Mr Frixham is not my husband, !"
said Dolly.
"Your father, then"
"But he is not my father" insisted
Dolly, half laughing. "He's no rela-
tion at all. will tell him, however"
Exactly" said Mrs. Sedgewick 81
particularly desire plenty of white
roses, as am told they are customary at
this sort of affair. It's an engagement.
party"
Indeed y said Dolly, trying to look
interested.
Between my daughter, Clara, and
Mr.. Alfred Fitzlan," said Mrs. Sedge-
wick, with conscious complacency.
Dolly said nothing, but the room,
with its futed cornices and lofty cell
ings, seemed to swim around her like
the waves of the sea. And as she went
out, with Mrs. Sedgewick still chatting
about white rosebuds and begonia
leaves, she passed the half open door of
a room, all hung with blue velvet, where
a yellow tressed beauty sat smiling on
low dlvan, with Mr.. Fitzalan bending
tenderly above her.
"He has only been amusing himself
with me" said Dolly to herself.
There was sharp ache at her heart;
but, after all, it was only tho sting of
wounded pride Thank Heaven-oh,
thank Heaven! it was nothing worse than
that
Honest John Deadwood was driving
old Roam steadily and soberly along past
the patch of woods where the velvet
mossed boulders lay like dormant beasts
of ,,rox, IN tho snrior fwiliuht uhop