The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-02-06
The Mysterious Portrait

Ia small but handsomely furnished
sitting room in London hotel young
lady was sitting in an easy chair, before
blazing fire, one dreary November af
ternoon. Her hat and cloak lay on the
table beside her, and from the eager,
impatient glauccs toward the door at ev
cry sound OF Il footstep On the staircase
outside it was evident that she expect
cd visitor
A. last the door opened and a tall,
MISUNDERSTANDING young man entered
Harry, what n long time you have
been p she exclaimed, springing up from
her seat. "What news have you brought!
What does your father say about our
our marriage hcsitating with the shy
ness OF bride at the last word.
"Read for yourself" replied her nus
band, han ling her an open letter, and
standing opposite her leaning against the
marble mmtlcpiece. watching intently
the expression OF her fair face as she
/ read:
y "ln marrying rs you have done YOU
Gave acted i'll direct opposition 90 my
Wishes. From this day you are 10 long
er my son, and wash my anls Of You
forever"
My darling, what was there to tell ?
How could know that my father would
act in this hard hearted manner}
knew that he wanted me to marry the
daughter of a nobeman living near the
Mars,on Hall, and so unite the two es-
tases; bu. had no idea he would cast
me Off for disobeyinghis wish. And even
if had known it," he added, fondly
clasping his young bride to his heart
and kissing away the tears from her
eyes, 81 should not have acted differ
emily. My Helen is worth fifty estates,
and as long as she loves me shall not
regret the loss of Marston Hall and it's
fair acres. But my love-" he continued
more seriously, "there is an end to our
promised shopping expedition into Bond
street. You will have to do without dia-
monds, now that your husband is pen
niless outcrst instead of>thc heir to el5,
900 year."
"Hush, Harry Please don't talk
like that" she said, hunt at his bitter
tone. 8. You know that it was not of
diamonds and dress was thinking. But
what are you going to do, Harry she
continued, LAYING her hand upon his
arm, and looking up sadly into his pale,
4 set face. "You cannot work for a liv
Ting, sure"
Sand why not work for livingr
he exclaimed in determined voice.
because happen to be the son of
baronet, brought up and educated with
out any ideas or knowledge of business
But will work for my living, and show
my little wife that ] am not quite UNI
worthy the trust and confidence she re-
posed in me when she placed this little
hand in mine," he added, STOPPING to
kiss the small white hand that rested
confidingly upon his arm.
It was while pursuing his favorite
study Of oil paintings among the famous
galleries of Rome that Henry Marston
wooed and won Helen Tracy, governess
of an English family residing in Italy,
and the orphan daughter of an officer in
the army. Before he had known her n
month, Harry, who had been in love-
or fancied himself in love-with at least
half dozen different young ladies in as
many months, felt that he had at last
met his fate.
Delighted at the idea Of being loved
for himself alone, he had not told her
Of bis real position, and it was not until
after the marriage ceremony was over
that Helen discovered she had married
the eldest ssn Of baronet, and the heir
70 IN estate producing $4,000 a year.
Il was not without some inward mis-