The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-03-20

certain SOMEBODY.
Berthas face flushed and then paled
"Let me see the letter, Jane"
Without a word. Jane handed il to
her.
II was mainly Il glowing description
of large party the writer had attended,
and where, as was alleged, she had seen
"Phillip Irving, accompanied L. d dark
eyed beauty, VIZ aAoia l. emed
greatly smitteu.
Bertha returned /; as silently 40 !, had
been given.
'If was IL your place / w-ouldn'
wear the willow any longer for y man
like that
Bertha started Is if she had been
stung
who SAYS I wear the willow 2"
Every You haven't been to a
pleasure party all Summer. don't
suppose you'll 90 to the hop next Thurs
day, which | would not miss for a good
deal There's plenty that would be
glad of your company that are as COED
as Phil Irving any day
"Your brother Benjamin, for in
stance.
Jane coiored and tossed her head
"Eell, YES. Ben thinks a good deal
more of YOU than somebody | could
name, and has been better friend to
you.
Bertha then went 10 the hop or
Thursday, though If she lad consulted
her own feelings she would have remain
ed at home. She went in company with
Jane and her own brother, which vas
Tot exactly the programme that had
been laid out, hut she went home with
Benjamin. which he considered the next
best thing.
It is three weeks before Christmas,
the Christmas day that Bertha had
looked forward TO with so many glad an
ticipstions, again ;wo lovers-if lovers
they can be called-are standing beneath
the lindens whose sere and yellow leaves
are lying at their feet
1t is Bertha and Benjamin Ripley.
81 do not love you, Benjamin" said
the former, looking past her companion
into the moonlight, as if she saw an
other face than his. mot in the way you
love me. l don't think shall ever love
any one in that way again But if you
think YOU can be content with The calm,
friendly regard, which Is all that have
to give, ! viii be your wife Not
Christmas Day. though; cannot marry
You on that day.
When viii got. them pleaded the
eager man at her Side Think how Long
| have waited.
ANY day after that: il does not matter
when
Bertha yielded passivcly to the warm
embrace in which she was folded shiv-
cred some as she felt the ardent pressure
of the lip that touched her own.
Ah' how unlike another betrothal
which seemed so far away from her now.
1t is the day before the tine-honored
festival which annually brings together
so many separated families, and the cars
are full of happy people, going home
for Christmas"
Among those who stopped at Chenille
was bronzed and bearded man, who
looked as if he had come long way.
1t i, Philip irving, who must have
been great favorite with his towns
people, to Judge by the numerous hand
shakings he received on his way 10 his
fathers house
News in village flies quickly, and
Bertha was not long in learning Of her
recreant lovers return.
"He has come as he said he would,
was her inward reelection, as she sought
the solitude of her own room.
The only pleasant thing among the
bitter recollections that surged over her
was the thought that he would learn
of her engagement 10 her cousin, and
not think she vas pining or account Of
his cruel and unmanly deception.
Enclosing the one letter she had re-
ceieed from him in an envelope, together
with Il brief line, requesting the return
of the two she had written him, Bertha
gave it to her Youngest brother, bidding
him TO give it TO Philip with his own
hand.
That evening, as Bertha was sitting
beside Benjamin, in her fathers parlor,
irving to school her aching heart to the