Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-09-06

l"il = Vas 700 MUCH IOi L OH. Lli
bracing her tenderly, he said: Il
love but you, Natalia, darling. Oh.
that ! had met YOU first. My fond
ness for Alice was but a ileeting
thing, and my love for YOU will last
forever"
Pressing warm kisses on her lips
he held her close.
leave me, Tom. 1t il right
for You to keep Your word, but you
should have told me of your en-
gagement before. We had best
part now. Goodbye"
But can't | come to see you,
Natalia, as usual? -
Why, certainly not, Mr.. Doug
las. 1t would only be painful, for
we can never from this time for
ward be anytling but the most
formal of friends"
Tom was touched by the simple
dignity of the young Russian girl,
whose quiet life had been spent by
the Seashore under the shadow of
the mountains, far from the noise
of city or town. so he bowed to her
will. Their parting was a heart
breaking one to both.
Natalia, | can't bear to leave
you. l must have you, dearest"
There, go now. This is only
foolish"
well, then. let me kiss you for
the last time, darling" pleaded
! Tom.
Natalia put up her little tear
stained face, and Tom silently
kissed her and went away.
That month passed only too
quickly for poor Tom, who looked
with dread toward the coming of
the steamer. He studiously avoid
ed Natalia, denying himself the
regular afternoon walk to the In
dian river, which is the event of
the day to all the white people at
Sitka. He kept close to his rooms
when not on board ship cursing
the mistake of his life, which was
soon to make an unwilling bride
groom of him.
To Natalia, whose soft brown
eyes were red with weeping, life
seemed dreary blank now that
the daily visits of Tom had ceased.
There appeared in her mental hor-
lion nothing for which to live.
She wondered how she had existed
before he came to Sitka. But then
she had been busy with her les
sons. and now, in the idea of her
old-fashioned father, her simple
education was complete, and it was
time for her to marry one of the
Russian lads who sought her hand.
The next steamer day" Tom
Douglas was seen rushing madly to
Natalia's home. The neighbors,
who, of course, had noted his long
absence, were greatly surprised.
Natalia! Natalia" he cried. as
soon as she came into the quaint
drawing room to receive him.
"T've come to ask You to be my
wife. Dearest, say yes at once"
"Why, Tom, are you crazya
What has become of Alicew
Well, by George, Natalia, she
is married! Just think of it
married! And l am the happiest
man on earth. A pardoned con-
vict's feelings of relief are not to
be compared to mine. You see,
soon after | left Washington she
met an old sweetheart whom she
had cast off to marry Mr.. Deering,
whose position and prospects
seemed better. In the meantime
this fellow had made fortune,
and as he was on his way to Alaska
for pleasure trip they decided to
make it also a wedding trip and
break the news to me in person.
Rather awkward, you might think
but I congratulated them with all
ny heart and thanked my stars for
reedom. Came, little girl, put on
our hat and III take you down to
he steamer to see the bride, and
nd I'll introduce to her my fan
zee, because You say yes don't
'ou, dear!"
Il suppose SO, Tom, but it's all
n c,dJor CL,n ,ro,, INV lo1.