Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1889-12-07
SATURDAY READING!
A Romance of a Very Curious
Nature.
ALL Is WELL THAT ENDS WELL
Irene, a Beautiful Girl Meets with the
Hardships and Troubles Of this
World but Finally Rewarded.

Three fair-haired maidens sat to
gether eagerly discussing subject
which, from appearances. was o
intense interest to all. One leaned
eagerly forward, as if In fear of los
ing a word of conversation; another
was speaking rapidly, while smile
lighted up herhappy face and broke
through her speech; but the third
while evidently as much interested
rs either of the Others sat back in
her easy chair, her dainty foot rest.
ing upon the polished fender before
the CRATE, and her eyes gazing half
dreamilyi nto the glowing embers.
A pretty picture these three
daughters of Judge Charmon
formed, as they sat in their sitting
room, just before retiring.
"But my dear Irene," cried Madge
"why are you 80 quiet? You do not
appear to be happy. 1 am sure
there is every reason to be proud OF
such an offer"
Irene still kept her eyes bent
upon the fire.
"Yes," she replied, speaking
slowly, weighing each word, "I
ought to feel it an honor, 1 know.
fought to think what an honorable
man he is, and what kind hus-
band he would make, but" = her
voice seemed to be as far away as
her thoughts "but do not"
"And why not dear?" tenderly
said Clara, the Oldest of the three.
"Do you not love him? In that
case there Is no reason why you
should for moment be troubled
with the subject. He may be every
thing that could be desired, still, If
you do not love him, Irene, nothing
in the world should make you marry
him."
~ don't know" replied Irene. ~
have hardly given myself time to
think Of him in that light. Iswas
all 80 sudden. We had just returned
from a drive. l was sitting in the
hammock and he in chair beside
me. We had been talking of moth
ing In particular, when suddenly he
SAID: Miss Charmon, we are good
friends, are we not?' The question
was 30 strange that / was amused at
1t, but / answered; Yes, hope so. )
Then he arose and stood before me,
and said: Il should hate to break
that friendship through any act OF
mine. If l speak In error, fear
may do so. You are young. beauti-
ful, and accomplished, accustomed
to have men pay you homage.
perhaps In your kind treatment of
me, you have but generously given
me the happiness of performing
the same service, but In doing this
1 have gone further; perhaps 1 have
allowed my heart to lead my
thoughts in a direction they should
not take; perhaps In my passion l
have mistaken little deeds of kind
ness from you, and imagined that
some deeper sentiment prompted
the action. BE that as 1t may, can
NO longer conceal my heart. loye
you.'
"Ohw uttured Madge, with deep
feeling.
."And what answer did you make,
dear?" asked Clara tenderly.
81 don't remember that-indeed,
! don't remember anything l said,
IL was all SO sudden, and he looked
no handsome and tender. All l
know Is that ina moment he was at
my side, kissing my hands In
most ardent fashion,"
Another ooh" escaped Madge.
"But you really must have given
him some encouragement, Irene"
eyes, suppose l did," she re-
Piled, with another distant look into
the crate.
"But you do not love him?"
"Perhaps."
"What was your answer"
81 asked him TO wait, and he said /
forever, 30 long rs he once had
nope"
This was too much for Madge.
"0hp' she cried. "if you do not