The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-10-09
ARTHUR'S DEVOTION.

answering sentiment. The fair, white
face was calm. A faint, pitying smile
hovers around the tender curves of the
sweet mouth.
Disdain, he thinks, were better than
such supreme Indifference. "Elinor'
What a passionate yearning is in the
lowcry!
''Don't, please, Arthur, almost feel
as if l must be terribly to blame for
your suffering"
! "You to blame? All, no dearest. 1
could not help loving you from the
moment when, a youth of Is, first
saw you In church. l said to myself
then, arthur Gordon, there is the one
girl in the world foryou!" From that
time forth my only happiness consist
ed in thinking of you; planning what
l could do to give you pleasure. After
four years of such worship Ihave been
unable to move your heart. l have
touched your life SO lightly that,
were you never to see me again, you
would not bestowupon me one regret. :"
"Indeed, you wrong me-" interrupt
ed the young lady, earnestly. "Elinor
Garrison never forgets a friend-and
who has been truer friend to the
orphan than you, my brother?"
Gordon raised her dainty hand to
his lip with reverential gesture. II ac-
cept the title, dear love-" he said,
gravely, eff may not bemore to you,
at least will be your brother, ever
ready to care for your interests, low
ing you with all my might, yet hoping
sor nothing in return"
A slight blush stained the pale
cheeks.
"You are too noble, Arthur, you de-
serve more. Forget me and find
another upon whom to pour out such
1isinterested affection"
''The world holds no other for me-"
he answered tenderly, a beautiful smile
illuminating his frank countenance.
Meeting those clear, gray eyes, Eli
nor felt that he was man to be
trusted. Why could she not care for
him as she desired? Rich, handsome.
upright, what more could any woman
demand? She sighed.
n
"You haveheard the latest, of course,
Ellie?'' gayly inquired pretty girl, as
she tossed aside her gloves prepara-
tory to spending an hour or so with
her friend.
no." answered Miss Garrison.
'tWhy, thought he must have told
you himself, SO ran over purposely
to hear all about it,
"Of whom are you speaking?" was
the quiet response.
"Of Arthur Gordon His engage
ment to a Miss Marion Hepworth, of
Boston, is just announced" watching
Elinor furtively as she answered.
The latter looked courteously IT,
terested-nothingm more, as she resumed |
the etching which Olive Lindsey's en-
trance had interrupted.
"You are not mistaken, Oliver" with |
a great assumption of Indifference.
Certainly not" with some spirit,
of rick-rack from her pocket and began
to work nimbly. Brother Frank heard
it az the club last evening. You know,
Ellie, I never repeat a story unless
very sure Of its TRUTH
doubling you, Ollie,'' she SAID sooth-
ingly. 81 know you are not bit of
possip.n A moment later: 'Have l
Shown you my new spring suit?' ad-
roitly turnin,o, TIE Tx conversation.
Once fairly launched upon this fas-
topic, Miss Lindsey forgot to
refer again to Gordon's engagement,
and after half hour that seemed in
terminable to Elinor took her leave.
"So," thought Elinor, while her red
lip curled half scornfully, "this was
the end of all those protestations of
fidelity"
1t was a disappointment to find
him no different from other men. Her
heart beat more rapidly at the recol-
lection of his last words:
'"The world holds no other for me-"
"Ah, whispered Elinor, triumphant
ly, he loves me only. I wish Miss
Hepworth Joy of her prize" =
In village ones private affairs are
common property. Everyone knew
of Gordon's long devotion to Miss
Garrison. All were anxious to see
how she would stand her knights de-
sertion.
But none were able to read her real
feelings, though many were the sur
misses.
Gordon was away on business. At
the close of fortnight he returned
and sought Elinor's house the first of
any.
Her greeting, though free from en-
and perfectly courteous,
yet had asomething indefnable; which
struck the gentleman.
"Elinor," he said softly, and his
tones thrilled the dormant
heart of the woman, 'you are not like
yourself. Haveyouforgotten our part
ing compact. little sister?'' a silky
touchingth the averted cheek.
'"rhat agreement is no longer bind
ing!" she cried Indignantly, her usual
ly gentle eyes flashing. "Do not dare
to touch me, Mr.. Gorden."
Excitement lent an additional charm
to the mobile face. Gorden gazed at
her admiringly. His love, restrained
for years, would no more brook con-
troll. In an ecstacy of longing he caught
her in his arms and kissed her madly,
over and over, until the scarlet hue of