The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1885-01-30
The- 9ellloe.at.


have TO be done without loss of time,
although / shrink from TIE ordeal !"
The speaker was a tall, handsome
man, OF perhaps FIVE and twenty, with
bright eyes and dark, resoluto face.
lie looked every inch q soldier az he
stood beside bis friend on the platform
Of the crowded London terminus, where
they had met each other after sspara-
ton of some eighteen months.
"Madge !" said the young officers
friend. "Surely you are not engaged
You, who were always 80 proud to pro-
claim yourself woman-hater."
"Not engaged" returned George
EnGeld, with slight flush en- his bronz-
ed cheek. "Not engaged, lie Roy, but
married. Where have you been all
these months not to have heard the
news -
81 had forgotten how lime passes,
said lie Roy, hastily. "Of Course, the
world has not been standing still since
left England, with the grim dster-
mlnation not TO open book or news
paper until | had 'regained the health
and strength / had exhausted In long
hours Of study"
"Aud you have gained your object" "
said George, with friendly solicitude.
"Yoa are quite yourself again"
lie Roy made TO immediate answer,
but turned his eyes away that. George
might not see the look of anguish which
had darkensd them for . momeht.
81 am betteI," he said at last, with
no trace Of emotion in bic fine face. al
am better, or should not have return.
cd 10 take up. the old life"
"You have come home for good =
said George, eagerly. "You really
mean to remain in England -
"Yes," said lie Roy, absently. "a
man cannot fly from himself. have
come to The conclusion that tho man
who seeks health in travel had far BOT.
ter remain at home"
George felt that 10 Roy was hiding
something from him, bot hs would moi
utter word to bridge the barrier o.
reserve which bis friend bad allowed C
come between them.
"iIe shall tell mo Of his own IRE,
will, or not at ALL" thought George En-
filed. 81 will not try 10 wiring hi
secret from him."
So there was silence between then
for a sPace,as ther strOde up and down
each occupied with bis own thoughts
George was the frat to speak, an
his voice startled Le Roy, arousin
him from a painful reveric. lie locke
up eagezIy, meeting the eager gaze {
his friend,
"What is il, George - be askec
) apologetically. Forgive me, but
: scarcely heard what you were saying.
3 al was telling you, lie Roy, that IN
J people do not approve Of my marriag'
They have been cruel and unjust, and
could not think Of letting Madge go
: them"
4 al am sorry to hear this" said l
n Roy. ''It must be hard for her and f
!. you. She will not be quite alone,
9 hope. OF course, your wife has b,
= own friends"
!. "She has one sister, Returned GeorG
9 "but the two poor children will!bs We.
:. lonely when | am gone, lie Roy, and
o want you toiextend your friendship
: them Ii was strange request
Q make, but George could see uothil
o strange in it. lie loved his friend, an
: J, bad every faith in him he knew th
!; Wilfred lie Roy was the soul of homo
d Chow fortunate that / should ha'
y met you here" he continued, "witEor
;. giving le Roy time to speak "Yc
" must come to our little villa and let n
introduce you to my wife. / know "
have an eye for beauty and will appr
ciate my good taste. Don't accuse n
= Of egotism, old fellow, until you ba'
). seen my Madge."
=. They jum pedinto a cab, and as th'
e drove quickly in the direction
: Georges home, the two friends fell
a talking of old times, and lie Roy W
o laughing quite merrily when the ha
= som drew mp before pretty cottage n
d far from Hampstead Heath.
e A pretty little maid with bright ey
'e and rosy cheeks opened the door in a
swer to Georges ring, and lie Roy fc
lowed her into quietly furnished pa
lor, where a young lady was bendil
d over some needle work.
. "Madge p raid George, putting
e hand on her shoulder, 'Het me intr
duce you to the best friend / have
the world-WiIfred Is Roy Wifrs
this is my wife,"
They looked at each other, and
sudden ghastly pallor came over
Roy's face, while the girl seemed as
about to faint. Then with warnir
y glance, as quick as fash of lightnin,
Le Roy held out his hand to his friend