The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-05-08

paz cleaning on her bosom, awaited him
there.
He looked at her admiringly, although
he was unpleasantly disturbed and
vaguely dubious, thinking of Jeannette's
emotion, for his sister was wise lady,
and rarely wrong in her conclusions.
Besides, for The first time since he had
met the captivating Mrs. Murcheson, he
began to feel that ne had not treated
frankie Grey honestly or manfully.
But one smile from Mrs. Murcheson's
big brilliant eyes, one bantering word
from the red, laughing lips, dispelled his
serious mood, and he seated himself by
her side, forgetful of everything except
the charm of her presence.
An hour later, when they walked
back to the hotel together, he was her
accepted lover, although oddly enough
he had never felt more dissatisfied in his
life.
500 you guess, my Rob-" she purred,
as she chung confdingly to his arm, "that
l am foolish enough to fear losing your
loveT
"Why, how is thatq' he returned,
thinking what childish, trusting and
adorable creature she was.
"Ah," she sighed, sweetly, "young as
| am | have learned that one is never
quite SO sure of anything in this dear,
beautiful, bad world. Sometimes have
been silly enough to fancy your hand
some sister rather dislikes me. Comfort
me, my good Rob, and tell me l am
wrong"
as it not ungallant to tell lady she
is wrongT he observed, lightly, "but |
assure you that Jeanette is most at
fectionatc soul; so how could she not
love one as loveable as yourself2'
"Ah,' / am comforted then, she
smiled though there was something like
mockery in the great eyes that glittered
like gold stones. "But there is some
thing else that puzzles me that I dare
not tell you"
Indeed But you must"
"Must II o, tyrantl But you may
laugh at me, Or, perhaps, be angry"
"Well them" she faltered, with a
pretty gesture of depreciation, 81 am
! sadly Jealous OF Miss frankie Grey"
us that all 2 he observed, coldly.
"Ah, now, yon are angry" she MUIR
INJURED, seeming ready to sob.
"Not at all, he said 'besides that,
INV dear, / am sure ! never could be an
CRY with you"
Your Aattery will spoil me-" she de
clared, with little sigh.
They reached the hotel, and Mrs.
Murcheson had scarcely gone to hel
apartment before Jeanette sought her
brother
ooh, Rob- she cried; "who do you
think has just Gomez"
Somebody you are pleased to meet,
evidently he answered, marveling at
her excitement. "Why, Jeanette, you
are actually trembling; you are as white
as a ghost and your eyes look like two
flames. Tell me who has come, who has
power TO excite you like this ~
''Poor Alfred is here, she simply re-
piled.
ale here exclaimed the young man,
as his brows darkened with a frown.
Compose yourself, Jeanette. Have
you taken leave of your senses? Have
you forgotten your pride and dignity al
together ? ! am astonished at your agi-
tation You ARE no Mortimer, and no
sister of mine, Jeanette, if you recog-
nize in any way that base, weak, hateful
man. Have you spoken with him p
"No, Rob" she answered more COM
posedly. But heard why he came. "
ITO beg your pardon, presume" he
returned angrily.
"You are wrong" she protested; che
has traced to this place the woman who
betrayed him. You know she was new
er really his wife, after all, Rob"
mo matter what she was, Jeanette,
nor how free he his, he can be nothing
to you again
For moment the lady regarded her
brother with sad, pathetic gaze.
Rob" she began slowly, suppose
anything should ever occur to cause you
to despise person-say this beautiful
Mrs. Murcheson you should dis
cover that you had loved dear frankie