The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-04-08
Tiie1ia's Fortune.


on the evening of Miss Harcourts fete
cou]d have imagined that an aching
heart. and the dark and unkind passion
that makes aching hearts, existed With
in those dazzling walls.
Light strcamcd through the WINDOWS :
music poured forth delightful strains !,
CHESTS were arriving and departing, the
avenue. the grand avenue oil the town,
was animated with the concourse ana
= crowd of eager people, encouraged by
the balmy air OF the late Spring night,
nrcssed into the shrubbery under the
ballroom windows, and stood gaping
with unfeignea admiration ut the hitting
figures of the dance.
All the windows of the two lower
stories besides the wing in which the
ballroom lay, were lighted. Above
them interviewed darl, space; and over
the third story, in one of The small
round windows of the Mansard root. n
faint light twinkled. An observer motto
ing it would have supposed that some
domestic whose duty did not call to ac-
tive service had retired betimes. But
no! The dimly lighted chamber in the
roof held in its solitude daughter OF
the house.
Tbe FIGURE of Young girl, wrapped
carelessly in the folds OF n coarse gray
dressing robe, was flung ut iull lehSth
upon narrow bed in an attitude OF I'M
mistakable detection. Her lace was
buried in the pillow, her hands ciasped
above the flowing hair that reached IN
unbraided tresses to the floor. Her
whole frame was aSitated by p1tliui
sobbing that could not be controlled.
A step along the interpreted passage
and a knock at the door had no elect to
arouse the unhappy girl. The knocks
we're repeated rapidly and more loudly,
and being unanswered, q woman voice,
clear and shrill, but agreeable-toned,
called from without, "Fidelia Kings
land, are you hcre?'
The girl arose slowly, and rubbing
the tears away from her eyclds with a
bcwildered air, moved listlcssly toward
the door.
"Who is it ?-who calls me- she
asked, with her hand upon the key
"A friend of your mother, answered
the quick, clear voice.
II am dreaming" said fidclia. not
in reply. but sadly TO herself, ana
turned away.
You are not dreaming" answered
the voice.
Fidelia Kingsiand cast one glance,
bcw!llered yet implorng. at picture
hanging above her bcd-a portrait that,
forming the sole ornament OF the room,
occupied the only perpendicular space
Of walls elsewhere slaDtcd SO sharply
as t. make the chamber oppressive, like
cell.
"Yonr mothers friend y If II voice
from that other world into which long
wears ago the lovely being of the por-
trait forever passed had spoken now to
her desolate child, it could not have
awakened more complete and wondering
surprise.
Mechanically she unlocked the door,
and the stranger entered. Fldelia gazcd
at the apparition with q stupor resem-
bling that OF sieep-walker.
The stranger returned the gaze rot ut
all. but walked into the room quickly,
scanned it briefly and studiously in ev-
erv part in Il manner much like petted
bird. Her costume added to this
sprightly. pert. bird-like effect She
wore walking dress of dark blue vel
vet. fitting her petite figure with nice
exactness cashmere shawl dropped
from her shoulders SO low that It's point
trailed on the floor; velvet hat set with
narrow feathers crested her small head.
Her black hair shone i'll glossy waves;
her quick black eyes sparhled like pol
ished Jet diamonds glittered ut her
ears.
She granted Fidelia several moments
to recover from surprise. Then spoke
to her in IA familiar way rs if she had
known her all her life. ''Sit down by
my side" she said, drawing her to the
foot of the pallet, ana taking chair
verv near. "Sil down here and tell me
why you were CRYING"
because my heart is broken sad
the girl.
THAT mn glad to hear" returned
the little lady, briskly eve are not
SO bad of rs We feared. When these
things are much broken there is no cry.
My dear. ! think / can mend your
heart.
"You said you wore Il friend OF my
mother" Fidclia ;nurmured, gazing with
child-like wonder at her guest, and actu-
ally smiling through her tears.
THAT You may have confidence, let
me tell YOU Of myself l was n school
friend of your mother in Paris. Ny
name is Nanncttc Picard. | am II
widow without children consequently
have no rcsting-place. / am Traveller
I go around the world. by accident
paused ~ this town W stop overnight