The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1885-01-30

bright then people had led her TO i'm.
agine. II had been secret engage
ment, and he had never told the wrong
sh o had done. But IL was rather bard
on him, TO find that she was the wife Of
bis friend, and that he was expected TO
look after her during Georges absence.
The worst OF IL was that be loved her
still, although be felt that she was un-
worthy of his love. Weak <nd 6OkIs as
she had been, no could not help the
memory Of tho sweet past coming back
to him when ho looked at her beautiful
face.
"rhen you will keep my secret y
said Madge, anxiously "George has
such strict ideas. He would be angry
if no knew had been engaged to you.
| don't think he will ever forgive me-"
"You can trust my word, | hope"
returned Wilfrsd, coldly-all the more
coldly because Of the love he could not
subduc.
And then he held u? his hand warn
ingly, for no could hear voices in the
hall, and in another moment George
entered the rooE in company with
young lady whom Ls Roy had never
seen before, for she had been at school
in Germany when he had first known
Msdge.
George introduced her informally 10
Le Roy Az his sister.in-law, and then
left her TO entertain bis friend while he
took his wife out Of the room 10 break
the sad nows TO her Of bis speedy de-
partule for Egypt.
She cried little, for although she
did not love her husband very much he
had been kind 70 her when her fathers
failure and death reduced her and her
sister to poverty, and had given them
both homo BY making her his wife.
Bot for thAt-sho reflected with n
shndder-they would have had 10 20
out in the world and work for their
living. Bessie would not have minded
il 30 much, but Nadge had recoiled
from the prospect Of working for her
daily bread with horror.
They went back TO the drawing.room
after time, and Madge sat down a,
the piano at her husbands request and
played for them, but she could not sing
she could not, while Wilfred was in
the room.
She had liked him better than she
bad liked George, although her husband
was better looking than his friend, and
the old fascination was creeping owe,
! her.
IL she had been n wise woman sh,
! would have objected to be left unde
Wilfred's guardianship, but unfortun
b Ately she was a very foolish one aud il
i seemed to her very pleasant arrange
- ment.
y Now that he had promised not {
;. speak Of he past to George, she wa
] quite cordial and friendly with Wilt ed
o at will be- so nice for us TO have
friend to look after us while George
e away" she said, "Will il not, BERTHE
n Very" returned Bertis, rather dr.
/ iy. Girl as she was, she thought I
" Roy altogether too young and too hanc
some for the responsibility be had ur
% dertaken.
y Bertie was very sweet and girlisl
I with soft blue eyes and closely crol
% ped head that gave her quite a cbilC
% like appearance. Not 20 Brilliant
g handsome as her sister, perhaps bu
d nevertheless. q very pretty girl.
It When George was on his way
r. Egypt lie Roy called daily at the CO
70 tsge, often staying to partake of afte
1t noon tea with the sisters, who alwa,
u gave him warm welcome.
le "He is very handsome" said BERT
~ as she watched him riding down Il
B. street on his brown mare, after spendir
le the afternoon with them.
re Something in the tone of her yoi
and the way she looked after Wilfr
" annoyed Madge,who bad never notic
Of how pretty her sister was getting un
10 that moment.
As eyes," she said, che is handsou
a. poor fellow ~ and as she uttered the
OF last words Madge sighed.
"Why poor fellow p" asked Bel
IS quickly, turning to look at her sist,
n Because he will never marry"
J. "How do yen know that ?" cri
r. BERTHE, coloring vividly. "Has hO to
y you so ?"
"No, but happen to know he 10
is Cd some one long ago. and will new
D. forget her."
n "What can you know alou. Wilfr
4 LIE Roy "-incredulOusly, 1--WE ha
only known him few weeks"
a II knew him before poor faith
20 died." said Madge, playing with h
if rings TO avoid meeting her sister
g steady gaze.
:, "And lou let George think you bi
3 never met BEFORE" said BERTHE slowl