The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-23
ct like the exercise. It's good for

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Mrs. Hauilton had not word to say.
YOU'D better wash and iron, said
Kate, with asperity, " if exercise is what
you want"
Emily did not reply, but went on
busting the piano. .
ct wouldn't go to the door" suggested
Mrs. Hamilton "That is Ellen's duty.
And you going so often annoys your
sister. They don't regard it as gen
teel. People are so observant, and we
must act with some regard to public
sentiment"
"This was left at the door just now, p"
said Emily. acting from the moments
impulse. as she drew the summons
from her pocket and handed it to her
mother.
Mrs. Hamilton unfolded the paper in
hurried manner, and turned pale as
she glanced at the contents.
"What is it?" asked Kate.
Something for your father, replied
Mrs. Hamilton, in subdued voice, as
she went from the room. Kate stood
for few moments, and then followed,
leaving Emily without further inter-
ference.
Two hours later in the day Kate and
her sister Isabel, two snowy girls,
dressed in costly and attractive man
ner, went forth to exhibit themselves
and win admiration. They did not fail
to win attention as to the admiration
we cannot speak with assurance. After
promenading about for an hour they
stepped into the shop of a jeweller--
same who had, on that very morning,
furnished their father with long bill.
Heretofore the jeweller had been ex-
ceedingly polite and anxious to have
them purchase; but he seemed rather
Indifferent on this occasion, and dis
played his goods, as asked for, in al
most total silence but not the remot-
est suspicion of the cause entered their
minds.
"Isn't that elegant? ?" said Kate, tax
ing up on opal ring.
Beautiful !" replied Isabel.
What is the price ?" asked Kate.
Five guineas," answered the jew
eler, reaching out his hand to take the
ring. But Kate slipped it on her finger,
and gazed like one fascinated into the
fame that quivered in the heart of the
gem.
ct must have an OPAL" she said,
"and this is such very fine stone /"
Eyes, miss, for small opal, one of
the finest I have SEEN"
"Charge it to my father" said Kate.
But the jeweler answered, Hadn't
you better ask your fathers consent be-
fore buying so costly ring?"
"Ask my father and the blood came
reddening in Kate s face.
The jeweler bowed gravely and held
out his hand for the opal, which, hur-
riedly drawing from her finger, Kate
restored to his possession. Another
customer entering at the same moment,
the jeweler turned from the two sur
prised young ladies, who left the shop
hastily.
"He acted very strangely;" said
Kate, as they passed along the street.
81 wonder what he meant?"
"Can papa have been saying any
thing to him ?"
"Of course not. He wouldn't dis
grace himself and us in that way. 1t
was downright insulting. Mr.. King
will see no more of our money, that is
certain!"
Indeed he will not! was never SO
mortified in my life! It is impossible
that papa would allow us to order goods
Just for the purpose of receiving a hu-
initiating refusal"
So the sisters talked over the humil-
iating incident, which the reader under
stands better than they did. They now
went into a Diapers shop, where they
were in the habit of making purchases.
Here each selected an elegant silk dress,
and ordered it to be sent home.
"Wait a moment" said the young
man who had shown them the goods:
and he stepped across the shop to where
one of the proprietors was standing.
Their experience at the jewelers. made
the Young ladies feel little nervous at
this movement, and their eyes took note
of the knitted brow and earnest manner
of the principal. In little while the
young man came back and with smile
that was evidently enforced, and an em-
barrassment of manner which could not
be hidden, said: 1--WE should prefer
not sending these goods to-day, if you
will excuse us"
"Oh. Just as you ike!' Kate tossed
her head little proudly; but the ar
row had gone to her heart. A few
minutes the sisters fingered, and then
with q crestfallen air that could not be
yelled, went quietly from the shop.
This shock considerably agitated their
nerves, and led them to seek refuge at a
pastry cooks. As they entered they
noticed party of three young ladies at
a table who eyed them closely. From
the shop they passed into back room.
-, aA.l shar,ealvoa ot tho oxtreme