The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1893-02-24

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| month, and-how she grew. The older she
grew the more she looked like her mother
there were the same wonderful eyes, and the
same expression; it seemed to be her in a
miniature form.
When she got SO she could walk, would
always find her waiting for my return at the
gate. o! that smile that would play across
that baby face at my approach. Then, gath
ering her in my arms, Iwould carry her in
| to the house, while she was showering baby
| kisses on my face. Then as music, what in
strument had half the magic power of dis
pelling the gloom, as her silvcry laugh
| Yes, yes can see her yet.
Time passed on-she soon was old enough
to be taugh. I was too proud other to send
her away; / would not risk her with anyone
else. therefore, undertook the responsible
ity Of being her tutor.
She was apt. She wae'one of the few that
took a delight in studying from the first.
Many hours were spent together during
the long winter evenings.
| Time went on, year followed year and be-
fore hardly realized it she had blossomed
into womanhood, and the older she grew the
more she resembled her mother.
Sixteen years had como and flown; sixteen
years had brought my child from babe to
womanhood.
The same form, the same features, the
same passions, the same expression, the
same eyes whose mysterious power had so
often held me as in trance, that moved my
very being by its magnetic sway, intense
love, distraction, power met in one, half
awed I was, loved beyond degree and in
passions wild 1 adored her. p
With utmost care had taught her. I Iap-
piled myself diligently to my studies that I
might be able to give her a clear understand
ing of them.
She was studIous and at the age Of sixteen
was good scholar,
At this time a new idea struck me.
thought could better my financial condition
by going west.
Visionary reports were numerous OF the
far away territory of Oregon. I accordingly
made arrangements and on Jan. 18th 184G,
my daughter and arrived here.
o! the happiness Of that young heart on
the completion Of this cabin; no bird in a
summers sky, or spotted fawn If forest
glade was ever more gay. But often the
camest sky before the darkest storm, the
lightest heart before the sadest gloom.
Our closest neighbor lived some three
miles distant. The family consisted of a
man, his wife and son. A young man of
about the same age as my daughter.
An acquaintance soon sprang up between
the two young people. This gradually as
sumed a serious form, ,-fnally there was
hardly a day past unless they were together;
time passed on, they were engaged. She
loved him with oil the passion Of her nature;
he eappeared to love her. But a cloud arose
to mar the sky. In the nearest village there
lived a blue eyed damsel that claimed his
heart. His evening visits became less fire.
quent, but he would always excuse himself
At first LYDIA believed him, but, finally she
suspected that something was wrong.
One evening she received a note from q
friend, informing her of.his conduct.
1 was away from home, and was acci'
IDENTIFY detained until midnight; LYDIA was
alone. That evening the young man came
over, little knowing that she knew all.
In a voice unmoved, she told him that she
had been made aware of all. Moved by O
guilty consciounce, he wished to escape, but
too late; he had sealed his doom. He had
thrown himself in to the hands of one he had
wronged. Yes, had wronged-had changed
an indescribable love into bitterest hate
Love that knew no bounds, call for re-
venge, revenge.
She needest must deceive him in order to
gain her purpose. She pursuaded him tc
come near her, gently grssping him, drew
him on her lap. Then,-O, horror! My
brain grows dizzy! I shall never, never for
get what saw; it is burned within my brain
They had left the door open, and as came
up,I saw her draw a knife and bury it into his
side. o, the horror of that moment! Tht
ghastliness OF his ACE, and more still, the
awful expression Of LYDIA, when she realizes
what she had done.
With a wild shriek, she rushed
from the room. Half mechanically
1 followed-down the path she
took, that leads to the river. In vain tried
to stop her, but she paid no heed 10 MY en-
traties. At last she came to the bank-th'
dark, sullen waters of the Willamette moved
slowly on, many feet below.
For moment she paused, then suddenly
moved by the horrible thought, she splani
far out from the bank-down, down through
the dark abyss. A sulen splash struck m!
ears, and all Was over.
I knew no more; for many hours remain
ell unconscious. But at last came to, te
realize my woe.
Ihastened to my cabin; there lay that boy
ish face, cold in death. felt as if coult
not face the world. Iknew not how. Ivow
ed to keep it secret, ard that at last, whe'
death should quench this vital spark, my Sc
cret would be forever closed.
buried the lifeless form Of the young NAL
beneath our feet.
Stranger, you have heard my secret. Re
member that there are certain traits of char
acter, transmitted by the nother totbe child
that no power can eface. Beware! Beware
My mission is ended. God receive my soul
J;. l;g,lo.. oorn,o dro,,f Of NV foot