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

ed, ct grieve to be the bearer of very
unpleasant intelligence" =. -
Mary looked up with quiet indlffer,
ence, scarcely believing that, after all
she had gone through, any news, good
or bad. could have for her more than a
passing interest. Slythorpe continued
ct am sure that you will believe did
it for the best; but misfortunes Will
happen. you know, even with the ut,
most care and caution. L am sure
thought the investment was as safe as
the bank. but there's no trusting any
thing nowadays"
'.What is the misfortune, Mr.. Sly.
thorpe. for YOU haven't yet told me
Nothing very serious, hope?"
"Only too serious, my dear Ma" ne
tried to say ''Mary," but couldn't get II
out, and substituted "M Miss Hope -
nothing less than the loss, [ fear, OF
the whole of your little fortune. "
Mary turned very pale, but gave no
other sign of emotion. How did it
happen?'' she said. with an effort.
ssYour money was, as you know, IN
the Three per Cents, where it produced
a miserable one hundred and sixty
pounds year. In the hope of dong
better for YOU. sold out, and invested
it in new mining company, the Wheal
Marina, which promised to pay mini
mum dividend of ten per cent, and SO
would have Just trebled your income.
And this morning [ am grieved to find
from the Times that the company IS an
utter smash. The directors have bolted,
and the shareholders will lose every
penny of their money"
GO Is all gone? Nothing left p
''Not sixpence, and you remain liza
BILE for. calls to the amount OF as much
more"
Poor Mary's fortitude quite gave way.
go, dear. what shall do? 1 haven't a
friend in the world"
mo, no; don't say that, Miss Mary, y
said Slythorpe, in q gently patronizlng
manner; cit isn't las bad as that comes to.
I haven't disguised my own feelings to-
wards you; and though you've lost your
money, you know, that needn't make
any difference between you and me. My
affection init of the mercenary sort; in
fact, as 1 got you into the mess Though
with the best of intentions, mind you)
it's only fair that 1 should get you out
of it."
Mary had hidden her face in hel
hands, but she became aware, from the
increased intensity of the all-pervading
scented soap aroma, that Slythorpe was
drawing nearer to her, and in another
moment his arm was round her waist
She drew herself up proudly.
ssSir T am wil1ino tn he1ieva Won NEAR
kindly but your offer under such cir
cumstances is an insult Be good enough
to leave me-"
Slythorpe would have parleyed, bu
with the air of an outraged queen Mary
Hope rang the bell, and, obedient to til,
summons, Mrs. Murgatroyd appeared.
"Open the door for Mr.. Slythorpe, i
you please"
you'll be sorry for this, you'll find
Miss Hope" said Slythorpe: but Mar.
vouchsafed no answer, and the attorne,
retired discounted, Mrs. Murgatroyt
holding open the door for him with al
expression of thorough enjoyment. A
soon as it was closed upon him, sh
bounced back into Mary's room, ant
threw open the windows.
Lets have breath of fresh air, TO
goodness sake, after that nasty, Shiny
scented serpent. always feel as if til
house wanted disin-what dye call it
with Condy's Sea-salt, or Tidman'
Restorer, or some O. them deidolizers
whenever he's been in it. Why. m,
dear lamb, whatever is the matter?"
Poor Mary's overweight nerves Ia,
at lest given way, and she fell upon tn
sofa in fit of violent Mysteries. Mrs
Murgatroyd, with motherly instinct, lie
her emotion have its way, and she wa
soon so far recovered as to be able wit
many tears to tell the story of this ne,
misfortune, finally crying herself +
sleep on the good old womans sympa
thizing bosom.