The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-04
cts about our Lucilla, said she.

"She doesn't like teaching" confessed
Rosa cor, rather to be candid with you,
the trustees don't like her She isn't
very young, you know, and has some
odd, formal little ways. and only one
eve; and the children make fun of her,
and the trustees say that she has no dig
nifty"
every unfortunate" said Mr.. Rae
quet, bending a transparent pearl paper
cutter back and forth, with the sublime
indifference we are all apt to display to-
wards the tribulations Of others. eff
there was anything couldo do"
ooh, but there is !" said Rosa.
"Eh p calculated Rev. Roderic.
"She thinks, and mamma thinks"
"Well e.
Chat she might come here, said
Rosa, with her blue eyes fixed full on
the young clergyman's face.
Click click and the two pieces Of
the severed paper-cutter flew into opPo-
site corners of the room.
"Here p said Mr.. Racquet-"to the
parsonagel
"Yes,' innocently assented Rosa.
"She isn't pretty to LOOK at, to be sure,
but as you yourself said, in your address
to the Sunday School last week, beauty
is mere nothing and you'd hnd her
very intelligent and accomplished.
"Indeed p said Mr., Racquet, frigiily.
''She has been highly educated, went
on Rosa, gaining confidence as she
talked but at the same time she
would not despise descending to mental
duties for the sake Of one she knows and
loves as she does you. And so, Mr..
Racquet, she wants to know if You'll
have her.
A cold perspiration broke out around
the Reverend Roderic's mouth. He
drew hack his chair with an instructive
movement of self-defense. Leap Year
was upon him in very truth and tact.
Alton was right, and he should be CO.
creed into matrimory even before he
knew it,
lid rather not.' sail 3.r. Rae
quet, very decidedly.
Rosa Looked at him, hal; amazed, half
offended.
Rather not !" she repeated. 81 don't
think Lucilla expectei tha; dacision.
Perhaps she'd better come and see you
herself about it q
No, no she needn't do that saspei
Dir. Racquet. MY decision is irrevoc-
able"
And huri1ediy gathering his papers,
he caught his pen and feignei great
assidu;ty once more.
II see you are very busy said Rosa,
softly, after brief interval of hesi,a.
ton
Yes, said Mr.. Racquet, 81 am rather
busy
Then perhaps l had better bid you
good morning. said Rosa.
Good morning, Miss Appleton, said
the clergyman, with his eyes glued to
the paper.
What" he cried, after the fashion
of the soliloquizing heroes Of the stage,
'ma,ry that wrinkled, one-eyei bag
against nv will, Just because she wants
some one to provide for her, and it is
leap year And wcrs. and cruelest Of
all, to think that Rosa herself should
come to propose it !
Just then Rosa voice, soft and plain
tive, talking to The old housekeeper in
the kitchen below, chimed upon his ear.
Involuntarily lie listened.
81 know it is very foolish in me to
cry, Mrs Megson," faltered Rosa. "but
indeed, cant help it, You see, we
heard yov were going away next week,
and Luciila was 50 anxious TO obtain the
situation OF housekeeper She's so mid
dle-ased and steady-goins, you know,
that it would be the best place for.
"Certainly, certainly, Miss Rosa"
said good natured Mrs. Messon. "And
what objection did the master possibly
have to it,
81 doh't know said Rosa, "but he
was so cold and stein and short with me.
He didn't seem bit like himself. And,
oh Mrs. Megson, please give Me a
glass OF water for | feel all in a hutter.
| didn't even have a chance to tell him
that Luci.la was willing to come without
wages for the frs. month, for the sake
of learning the household ways, and"
But Roderic Racquet heard no more.
Scattering the sermon sheets right and
left, he seized his hat and rushed down
the back garden to certain Swallowed
walk, which commanded the high road