The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-03-02

old.
He had been married twelve years,
and four bright, loving children were
his to love and care for
His wife, Maud, was true and devoted.
He loved her with all his heart and
she had returned that love in full.
How happy Luke Tramway was du-
ring the first few months of his mar.
riage, and how happy was Maud.
Not a cloud to cast shadow upon the
bright sphere of love and good will,
aud not jar to disturb the harmony of
the sweet music.
They were capable of Joy, and their
cup was filled to the brim.
Could the clouds ever come?
They told themselves never.
Such love as theirs could not die out,
and as for truth and faith they were both
sure and steadfast.
And so, in sunshine and gladness,
their first child was born, and new Joy
was theirs.
Twelve years had passed since the
happy morning of life-years of unin-
terrupted prosperity-and the house of
Luke Tramway contained all the out
ward things that can make life joyous.
and yet the brightness was gone.
A heart had been in a measure d.
vorced from the home.
The husband had beon giving him.
self more and more to his business, un-
til the whole sum Of his aspirations and
desires had been transferred to the
work of gaining worldly wealth.
Gradually. but surely. the crust had
been gathering about his heart
shutting it out from the joys that
had once given him peace and comfort.
At the age of five and thirty he had
grown pale and careworn, with m in
cipient stoop in his shoulders, and q
touch of frost upon his head.
He came now to his home with no
brightness, but he brought care and
study-care and study of the increasing
of his store of worldly goods.
Luke" said his wife to him one day,
twill you not go with us to grandfath-
er's?" She and the children had planned
to go to her grandfather's country-house
for recreation and fresh air.
." No, Maud. cannot leave my bust
ness. You and the children can go as
we'll without me-"
"But, Luke, "-putting her arm
around his neck, "we could enjoy it
more if you could enjoy it with us.
And-you need the rest and the respite. "
"No, no, Maud must make hay
while the sun shines"
"And what will you do with the sub
stance you are gatherings" the wife
asked, with her arm still around him.
What? Why we will enjoy it in the
time to come"
"Why not enjoy it now?"
"That is just like woman" And
Luke looked up and smiled-not the
bright smile as of yore, but an almost
cynical smile. And he added" you
are like n humming- bird, skimming
from flower to flower, with no thought
of the morrow"
"You are unjust, Luke. 1 do have
thought of the morrow; and the wealth
l would lay up is health and happiness.
You are not gaining health; You are not
happy"
Luke broke from his wife's embrace,
with an exclamation of impotence, and
shortly afterward. with heavy heart,
she left him pouring over mass of bu-
siness papers.
She stood for moment ut the door
and looked back upon him.
She saw his white fingers pressed up
on his brow; she saw the blue veins
standing out upon the hollow temples.
She saw the lines of care upon the pale
face; and she saw the fugitive pencil
ings of silver in his hair.
And when she finally departed, her
heart was swelled with prayer to God
fora CLEAN of the old time JOY.
Maud and the children went into tn Q
country, leaving Luke to his business;
but they did not stop long.
When they returned, Maud's grand
father came with them.
"How is this, Maud ?" asked Luke,
"Why are you back 80 soOn?"
81 could not enjoy myself, Luke,
while l thought of you here alone"
Pshaw! was doing we'll enough.
And yet home is moro cheerful with
your face in it, I must admit"
John Farwell, Mauds grandfather,
was . man who had seen . long, long
life.
Forescore and five years was the span.
His frame was bent, his hair was white
like snow; but q truly wordrous con-
stitution had brought him to this great
age without breaking.
One evening after the others had re-
tired. Luke and Mr.. Farwell sat alone
in the library.
"Come, my boy" said the old man,
pleasantly. "put away your papers; l
want to talk with you"
"You are Just in time, grandfather,
I have Just examined the last one.'