The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-01-20

other than Mr.. BurcDell L '1OllOWou
some clues to his fight with my poor
daughter, but in vain. Returning sadly
homeward, I fell in with very we'll.
dressed gentleman who invited me to
sup with him. and talked politics at a
great rate but he proved to be only the
butler, and the sudden arrival of his
master and mistress put me In great
confusion. Just then, who should en-
ter but Miss Arabella Wilmot, who was
formerly engaged to be married to my
son George. She recognized me with
Joy, and. on hearing my name, the old
gentleman and lady, her uncle and
aunt, insisted on my staying for some
days.
The next evening we went TO see some
strolling players act in barn. When
the chief performer appeared and per-
ceived Miss Wilmot and me, he stood
speechless. It was my unfortunate
George He burst into tears and re-
tired, I conducted Miss Wilmot home,
and we soon had my son with us ; all
his travels had brought him no more
fortune than stick and wallet /; but
I fancied I could discern that Miss Will
mot still looked on him with a favorable
eve. Nor was this preference abated by
the arrival of Mr.. Thornhill, who, l
learned, had already made her some
overtures. He seemed surprised at see
ing me, but was very friendly, and pro-
cured for George an ensigns commits
sion in one of the regiments going to
the West Indies.
Giving my son all I had-my bless
ing-I took leave of the good family
that had entertained me so long, and set
out for home. Putting up for the night
at little public house, I CHANGED to
overhear the landlady berating some
one in the room below.
"Out, I say" she cried "what, you
trumpery, to come and take up an hon
est house without cross or coin to bless
yourself with. Come along, say"
" Oh, madam" cried the stranger,
"pity me for one night, and death will
soon do the rest !"
I knew the voice of my poor Olivia
flew to her rescue, and caught her in
my arms.
Welcome, my dearest, lost one, to
your poor old fathers bosom!"
"Oh, you can't forgive me! l know
you cannot"
Eyes, my child, I do. But it sur
prises me how a person of Mr.. Burch-
ellis seeming honor could be guilty of
such baseness."
"Papa, you labor under a strange
mistake. Mr.. Burchell always admon-
ished me against Mr.. Thornhill. who"
:" Mr.. Thornhill! Can it be p"
eyes sir, it was Mr.. Thornhill, who
employed the two ladies, as he called
them, who were, in fact, abandoned wo-
men, to decoy us up town. They would
have succeeded, but for Mr.. Burchells
letter, and am convinced he was ever
our sincerest friend"
"You amaze mel Ny first suspicious
of Mr.. Thornhill's baseness, were too
we'll grounded"
"Alas, papa, you are but little ac-
quainted with his villainies he has
been married already to six or eight
wives more, whom, like me, he has de-
ceived and abandoned. So monstrous-
ly did he treat me that I left him and
fed here, only to be at distance from
the wretch detested." ~
The next day took Olivia home, ar
irving near midnight, just in time to
save my two little ones from the flames
which devoured our humble cottage be-
fore our eyes, leaving us houseless and
hungry, but for the charity of our kind
neighbors. My arm, too, was severely
burned, but I suffered less from that than
from information I received, that Mr..
Thornhill was going to be married to
Miss Wilnot in few days. My Olivia's
betrayer had even the assurance to pre-
sent himself to me, with his usual air of
familiarity. and pretend that his conduct
toward her had nothing criminal in 1t.
avoid my sight!" cried L. g Were
my brave son at home, he would not
suffer this, but am old and disabled,
and every way undone. I reposed my
heart upon thine honor, and I have
found it's baseness. Go, and possess
what fortune has given thee-beauty,
riches, health and pleasure. Gu, and
leave me to want, infamy, disease and
sorrow. Yet, humble Is I am, though
thou hast my forgiveness, thou shalt
ever have my contempt"
depend upon it, returned he, "you
shall feel the effects Of this insolence. +"
Nor did he threaten in vain. The
next morning his stewart demanded my
annual rent. I could not pay 20 my
cattle were sold, and myself was cast
into prison. whittier I was accompanied
BY my disconsolste family. Olivia Wa
suffering from . allow fever, and one day
in the depression Of her spirits she Wa
heard uttering these mournful lines:
"wh~n lovely vonan scoops p folly.
Ara hndn Zoo ls1o that men betrays
Whss charm con sooehs her nelanchoyf
Whst ast cen W1nh hsr guilt awayr'
- ~~laA 4. runvov