The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-12
A Bachelors Will.

The sun OF an August day was send
ing golden shafts through the intersect-
ing foliage overshadowing limpid trout
stream.
A young man was kneeling beside it,
pole in hand, ossensibly fishing, but the
speekled denizens of the brook had but
little cause for alarm. The cool brain
and steady hand so dangerous to their
peace under ordinary circumstances were
not really putting forth any efforts
against them.
1t was handsome young face turned
in such evident eagerness toward the
family defined foot path leading through
the woods to the sylvan spot. The
features were almost too regular for
masculine ideas of beauty but the firm
way the red lips were set together and
the massive chin redeemed them from
weakness.
He started to his feet as the cracking
of dried leaves and twigs betrayed an
approaching footstep. Another mo-
ment, and breathlesS young creature
was beside him, painting from her rapid
approach.
81 began to think that you were not
coming, Dot, and that my holiday was
to prove failure"
at was by the merest accident that
/ got away. Father hardly trusts me
out of his sight But he was called off
on unexpected business, and I've run
every step. l feel so guilty all the
time-I can't do it unless things
change"
Dot" began Philip, reproachfully
81 know 1t Is hard" continued the
girl, "but l am as much the sufferer by
it as YOU. Though, Phil, )" with a sud
den intensity in her voice, zone thing l
can do l solemnly promise never to
marry any one but him l love, and that
is-vou know whom"
'That is poor comfort, Dot. To
know that the girl you would shed your
hearts blood for cannot give you "a kind
word now and then to keep up your
spirits | shall half the time think
YOU are forgetting me, and making up
your mind to marry the man your father
Is so taken with.
You are very different from the idea
| have of you n you give way to any
such feeling Why, Phil, all the people
in the world couldn't make me believe
YOU false, if you had promised to be
true. But | must 60. [ just came to
tell you-no matter what happens
that force could not drag me into a
marriage with Dram Dinsmore, and to
say good bye until we can meet as we
used to, with the full consent of father"
"Thatll never be p was the gloomy
answer. dts good bye forever | am
sure wish that OLD cousin of yours
had left his money to some one else. 1t
has destroyed our happiness Your
father seemed to like me until that will
made you an heiress, and Dram Dins-
more began coming to the house. Much
as he might have been taken with your
looks. he'd never have bothered his head
about YOU unless there had been pros
pect OF adding to his possessions. l
know him of old, and he's as tight as
the bark of a tree.
"Really, Philip, you are compliment
airy. SO money is the sum of my at
fractions is it 2"
But there was no vexation in the
eyes she turned upon his troubled face.
Hers was true, truthful nature, and
she understood her lovers meaning,
though she tried to speak lightly and
playfully to prevent painful parting
scene. Tears were near her eyes, but
she forced them back; she must be strong
for both SEe held out her hand
"Good- bye, Philip. Don't be discour-
aged all will come right yet"
Philip took the little hand in his
brown palm, and gazedlonsingly into The
sweet young face. Then he said
""on't you give me one parting kiss,
Dotf'
yes, Philip, kiss me here" touching
a slender finger to one of her soft checks
"aad from this lime that place shall b.