The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-09-05

believe him dead, and where was he! In
whose hands2 Had he been ill-used-
beaten? They knew nothing, and the
suspense wore their lives away. 1t was
an old story to others very soon; it was
| always terribly new to item. At any
moment it seemed to them that the door
might open and their child enter, and the
patter of little feet upon the stones set
their hearts beating wildly. This when
ten wears had passed, and the child of
four would have been a child no longer,
but youth taller, doubtless, than his
mother.
No other children came to these people,
and they were very miserable. The man
seemed crushed he had neither ambi
ton nor energy. The woman went about
her daily toll in a dull, listless manner.
Their hair grew gray, and their brows
wrinkled, very early. Friends were pitt
full; but grief does not invite-it rather
repels
At last they seemed to stand alone in
the world; old acquaintance and rela-
tives were gone, or had forgotten them.
They made no new ones. Poor, lonely,
sad, they clung to each other, and shared
each others SORROWS and trials. There
was no Joy to share. Their child would
have been eighteen years old-sods, If he
lived-when what is called a piece of
good luck happened to them. A far
away relative died and left them little
fortune He had not taken much notice
of them during his life, but he had given
them thought on his death bed They
were comparatively rich. When they
knew it. the same thought came to each
at once. The woman uttered it first.
Martini" said she, perhaps we can
find our boy after all. When once we
have the money we will advertise him
over the length and breadth of the land.
He may not remember, but the blessed
mark you put on his foot, that he will
know Of He will come to us-l feel
sure of it-at last, Martin, at last
"Ycs, it may be so, Agnes" the man
said. ut may be so; the time has been
long, the days woeful, but we may be
happy, after all that has gone. Agnes,
believe it uM be So
They kissed each other, and made ready
for the journey which they needs must
take to enter upon their inheritance.
And they travelled together over the road
with eyes that grew brighter for this
small spark of hope in their hearts.
Through all the proceedings that fol-
lowed, this grew and grew; and when, at
last, they found themselves undisputed
owners of pretty house and money
enough to live on in comfort, they began
to feel sure that their boy would yet
share it with them.
The first evening in the new house was
almost happy.
"Agnes, we must put this cash away
in bank Tomorrow" said the husband,
counting over-a roll of notes. ut is not
safe to keep it here, and we must be care
full: we have that to do which must make
Us economical"
"Yes, Martini" said his wife, as she
held the light for him and he locked the
small, old-fashioned safe. "You see,
when the boy comes to us, we will want
to do all we can for him, and home must
be pretty place. We can live on almost
nothing until he does come"
Afterward, in the dark, their heads
close together on the pillow, the elderly
couple talked on, dreaming like chill
dren.
Martini" said Agnes, "when he does
come, our poor boy perhaps he will be
rough and not well-mannered; he has not
had US to teach him; we must be very
lenient"
"Yes, yes said Martin; "but the boy
will improve. He will improve. Young
as he is, he can go to college YETI
Away from usF' said the mother.
mo, no, he shall come home every
day." said the father. twill he be tall,
| wonderl We are usually tall, but your
people are shorter"
something may have happened to
hurt his looks, said the mother; "but we
would only love him better for it if it is
so. However he comes, we will be so
good, so good to him. He will come,
will he not, Martin. he could lot be dead,
after alli"
mo, no. feel sure that he will come.
I've known all the while he was not
dead" said Martin. "Ill advertise all
over the United States-all over Europe
If that fails, even in India, in some way.
You see he may have been carried to some
foreign country. Men who know all
languages that are spoken shall see that
my advertisement is put into each one
Yes, We shall have him back
"Hark,n said Agnes; what is thatf
They listened. a low, grating sound
at the door below, regular and carefully
subdued-a click-a crack.
"Some one is trying to break in,' said
Martin.
Agnes hid her face in the pillows
They were alone in lonely house on a
] loreIv road Tbav bod cayoraI thouoand