The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-08-08

of which know something, but as yet l
have failed in my most promising efforts.
fear that l am too old, to succeed in
anything except idleness," and he
laughed hard, weary, cynical laugh.
"For myself might face poverty, but
could. not see the woman l love want for
the commOnest necessities of life. l
must not ask Susy to share misery with
me-"
"iou have greatly wronged her, Mr..
Heath" replied her cousin, "for you have
certainly won her affection"
Susy Wright, hearing this, drew her
white shawl about her shoulders, and
stole away shiveriug.
He did not see her that night, nor for
weeks after. She avoided him with a
sick heart.
One day as she was coming up the
highway, she saw him pacing up and
down before the high hedge that out
lined the boundary of the Heath estate.
He was very pale, and the hands that
crossed behind him were clasped with
skeleton fingers. This fight between
love and riches had made him hapless,
hopeless, ueSOlate man.
On the other side of the hedge work.
men were busy telling giant willow,
the shadow of which had been ruinously
detrimental to the orchard trees behind
it. The last stroke of the axe had been
given, when rope snapped asunder, and
the huge, heavy trunk shook and shiv-
cred, and then swayed towards the hedge.
Algernon Heath stood directly in its way,
but he was quite unconscious of his dan
ger. Susy Wright, with wild, warning
shrek, sprang forward and clutching his
arm, thrust him aside with superhuman
strength.
He was saved; but she was struck
down by cruel blow from one of the
large branches.
And during the weeks that followed,
the girl babbed in her delirium of her
love and lover, until he who heard her
was smitten with contrition and pain.
When she came back to clear, conscious
life again, Algernon Heath sat by her
side. She had glimpse Of somebody
vanishing through the door, as if by pre-
arrangement.
"My little GIRL" said the voice of her
lover, 'you have taught me and told me
many things in your fever talk. You are
to get we'll soon and be my wife. Poverty
and love will bring US more happiness
than riches and loneliness.
The kiss on her lips stepped her senses
into sweet slumber, and then, after many
hours, she was awakened by kiss, like
the sleeping princess.
But those who stood by her bedside
banished him who kissed her, and would
not allow him to see her again until she
was strong enough to go down to the par
lor in her pretty fax-straw tinted, flax
flower figured cambria.
A dull red scar was still visible above
the snowy temple, where the golden ring
lets had been shorn away.
mo, Mr.. Heath" said she, when he be-
sought her to be his wife: II heard all
you said to my cousin that night, and l
should always feel guilty and most un-
happy woman if l should allow you to
sacrifice your riches by marriage with
me-"
"Susy, dear girl he responded, i'm
pressively, ~ have already given the for
tune up, and am succeeding much bet
months ago. 1t is all for your sake, my
love, and you cannot be so unkind as to
refuse to cheer and inspire me in my new
endeavor. You did not save my life to
make me wretched, did you, Susy9"
Overcome by her affection and his earn
est pleadings, Susy promised all he asked,
and few months after she was the bride
of very quiet wedding.
For year they shared contentedly to-
gether the bitter and the sweet. Economy
brought them comfort; persevering
thought and labor brought them hope for
the future; and their true, strong love
always forbearing and never regretful-
brought them happy peace.
1t was on the anniversary Of their bridal
day.
"Are you happy, dearl Have you any
thing to regretf' asked Susy, as she bent
over her husbands chair, and threaded
caressingly his auburn red curls with her
tender fingers.
II am more than happy, my wife; l am
grateful to Heaven for you, and for this
new life that, believe, has made me a
better man.
AS he spoke, a small sealed package
was brought up to them.
From my uncle" he observed, noting
the scrawling address.
They had not been friends since Alger-
mons second marriage. The old gentle
man had been pleased to stigmatixs his
nephew as "Quixotic fool" and the
world was mostly of theeame opinion.
81 apologize, wrote the rich man, "for
all the harsh things have thought and
said of you. want to know your wife.