The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-12-04
hearted noble woman.

hearted noble woman.
| had hoped that l had secured the
means Of a familiar intercourse with
Miss Lee, by which might be enabled
to enlarge my acquaintance with her
But soon found that | was mistaken
Converse with her l might, but never
freely. Enter her house when and SC
often as chose, but her sympathy not
at all. She seemed to hold me at dis
lance. With all my efforts l could not
even establish cool friendship between
| us.
Did she remember me, then and
hate me for my knowledge of that one
dark event in her past history2 1t
seemed so, indeed. Yet she was blind.
Could she not see that loved her? Or
was it because, while sacrificing herself
for her fathers sake, l had inflicted the
wound whose scar she would carry to
the gravel Either way, I was supreme
ly unhappy.
Six months elapsed before I sum
moned up the courage to put her feel
ings toward me to the test. One after
noon 1 entered her presence firmly re-
solved to declare my love to her and
abide the result. l could not be more
wretched than was, and my love might
at least teach her to respect me. She
was alone when l entered. Something
in my face must have alarmed her, for
she arose hastily, and would have left
the room had l not called her back.
"Jula Windsor" said, calmly Evil,
you hear me?'
THAT is not my NAME" she faltered,
turning very white.
mo; but it was your name that night,
in the far West, WI en- you pointed a
pistol at my head and demanded my
money. Do you remember that night
She made no reply for moment, but
stood with her face averted. Then she
suddenly turned and confronted me
with gesture Of contempt.
eyes, Go remember she answered,
passionatelv. IAN | likely to forget it
willie this, Inflicted by your hands, re-
mains 2 She pushed back her hair and
laid her finger upon the scar upon her
temple. "You strucl; me down, but to
pay me for my wound you left your
money in my pocket. 1t saved my
fathers lfe-for that | thank you.
But you may cancel all. Go tell the
world what you know. Wake the
tongue of SANDER against me. Say that
once upon time l lived in AFFECT pow
erty, under an assumed name, and that
to succor a perishing father | robbed
passengers upon the road in male attire.
do not fear YOU"
"You need fear nothing" / answered,
quietly, "except that l shall love you too
much for your noble sacrifice"
"Love me p she echoed, looking at me
suddenly, with filing eyes. 81 thought
that you despised me for my unwomanly
action"
"Then you wronged me deeply re-
turned, approaching and. taking her
hand. "My remembrance of that night
is full of admiration and respect. Since
l have learned to know you intimately
l have learned to love you-how truly, l
have no words to say"
"But I threatened you with pistol,
she answered, demurely.
at was harmless" l returned, smil-
ing I kept it have it at home
now"
"Do you remember the handkerchief
with which you bound my beada' she
asked slyly. "More faithful to the spirit
of that night than you, l have always
kept it near me. have it now"
"Julia, said I, earnestly, "answer me
truly, whyr
Because" she returned, lifting her
soft eyes to mine, 81 loved you from that
hour. When saw you again my love
took new strength, and though / felt
that you despised me, it remained un-
shaken, as it shall to my dying hour"
"My darling" l said, STOPPING to kiss
her upturned face, "on that night you
robbed me of more than my purse.
You made wholly yours my heart, my
life, my future happiness.