The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-12-25

I found was in constant action. Ny
husband worked, too, but his life seemed
to have lost it's impelling force, its happi-
est inspiration.
Ten years after our removal to the
West, we received intelligence of my
uncle's death, and being his only heirs,
we went down at once to attend to the
settlement of his estates. Returning
homeward, we made tour of Niagara
and the principal Northern cities.
One September night found US in New
York, and at the opera. The house was
unusually gay, and the music divine, but
through all the glamour and perfume of
gorgeous toilets, amid the wailing of the
music, and the triumphant strains of the
singers, sat unconscious, almost indif
ferent, and the old yearning of my
heart reused up to strange and sudden
intensity. Only one thought possessed
me, and that was of my lost baby, Little
Pearl. seemed to be living over that
terrible moaning and long, long night
again, and my soul cried out for my
child with longing that would not be
silenced. Yet in the gay house and ex
quisisemusi there was nothingsuggestive
of her short, sweet little life; why then
did she seem SO near me what was it
thrilled and shook me 500
The opera over we started for our no.
tel. At one Of the crossings the carriage
made sudden halt.
"Nothing but strap broke loose; all
right in a moment, sir" said the driver,
in answer to nv husbands inquiry.
leaned out while he was arranging
it, looking over the silent city, and up
into the solemn Summer night. The
sky was blue and cloudless, the stars
mellow and misty, and full moon hung
like golden jewel in the far West. My
eyes filled with tears, and an inexpressi
bic yearning filled my soul.
"Where is my bahy-where is little
Pearl to-night2' l murmured.
"Please, madam, just one penny"
The slender, childish voice, mellow
and sweet as the note of b'ackbird,
startled me out of my revery, and, look
ing down, I saw a tiny figure and an ap-
pealing baby-face below me in the misty
moonlight.
"Please, madam, l meyer begged be-
fore, but grandmarm is so sick, and she's
eat nothing since yesterday"
just then the driver sprang to his
box, and the carriage whirled off again,
leaving the little thing far behind, but l
caught at my husbands arm in breath
less eagerness.
"Phillip," entreated, "stop the car
riage. l must see that child.
He glanced back hesitatingly, and
there the little thing stood in the moon
light, just as we had left her.
81 must, Phillip" repeated: don't
deny me-" And my husband babe the
driver turn back, which he did, with a
muttered imprecation.
Snow, my little glrl," said, leaning
out and extending my arm, "come here
and tell me how 1 can help you."
"Grandmarm is so SICK" she replied,
coming close to the wheels, and raising
her soft blue eyes to my face, land SO
hungry, and l never begged before,
madam"
"And where does your grandma live,
dearl"
"Right down this street, in that row
of tenements"
"Take her up, Phillip; we must look
into this case"
My husband obeyed, and the driver,
be some tender thoughts intruding upon
being promised double pay, turned down
toward the tenements. seated the little
one beside me, and took her little hand
in mine. The bare touch OF her slender
fingers made the very blood in my heart
thrill, and l wanted to clasp her in my
arms and cover her poor, wan little face
with kisses, with longing that was alb
solute pain.
"How pretty she is" said,
smoothing back the tangled golden hair
that shadad her white forehead and
sweet blue eyes.
"She looks like a frightened bird"
said my husband, smiling. "What will
you do with her, Belief"
"Keep her forever, if can" | replied,
with feeling of intense happiness at
my heart.
Just then we reached the tenements.
"That's grandmarm's room" said the
child, pointing upward to a window in
which dim light was burning.