Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-02-20

"Child, child r. she cried, show in
the world came you to find it?"
II was busting the cabinet. It was
behind panel that fell down. I did
not dare to touch it at first. Now I
have read it all, and l know what it
means-what have to do, Aunt Re-
solve" And now the girl stood up.
"Your father gave it to me for safe
keeping. I never meant you to see it,
Adelaide"
"That would have been wrong,
auntie." ,
mo, no, dearie. you must marry and
be happy" ,
The girl did not speak. She stood
looking around the familiar room, and
her eyes grew dark with agony. Evi.
IDENTIFY her resolve was taken.
1.-THE dear old place-it seemed part
of my very self. 1t was never before so
beautiful and dear as now when it was
to be my home and his. 1t has seemed
lonely aud irksome-it never would
again. And now 1 must give it up!"
This was fixed an an unalterable law
in her mind. The conditions being
fulfilled which decreed it to another,
the jumpers must forthwith pass into
other hands.
There could be no doubt that AIDE.
laide was heart broken. She looked as
il some terrible illness had settled upon
her. Aunt Resolve was utterly shat
tered by the girls state but now AIDE
laide was the stronger of the two in
maintaining a settled purpose.
The latter had guardian whom she
saw annually. She now wrote to him,
acquainting him with the message from
the deceased, and briefly relinquishiug
the property, as she wished him to take
steps to discover the former owners OF
the Junipers-a process which Aunt
Resolve thought would not be difficult
though she did not know them.
81 would not have it done, dear, >
she said, sick in bed. II would haze
you live and die upon the old place. ]
fear-ah, fear you will miss every
thing now-for Capt. Somers has nc
home, and he will rove from and forget
you 1t is human nature. These long
deferred marriages never turn out we'll.
You know your marriage to him must
be deferred-don't you, Adelaide ?"
eyes"
The girl uttered the one sad mono.
syllable, and said no more.
And now the time was flying. Capt.
Somers she expected daily, for he had
promised to return to her in less than
a month. She finally brought herself
to write to HIM, and told him what had
happened. He made no reply.
This added pang. She saw plainly
how it would be. He could not pro-
vide for her adequately. Such support
as he could afford her-and which she
would gladly have accepted, sweet if
shared with him he would not offer.
She must find home in Florida, with
some of her mothers unknown relations,
and they would drift apart finally for
ever. Aunt Resolve was right.
A storm set in. Day by day the rain
beat about the house, and the sighin g
Of the trees filed the girls heart with
dread.
At last there came a letter from her
guardian. 1t ran as follows:-
"MY DEAR ADELAIDE Il have been
unusually fortunate in finding the
rightful owner of the Jumpers. He
will make his appearance there Thurs
day, after which I will see you at an
early day.
"LUTHER MESSENGER"
Not word of sympathy or regret.
It seemed to Adelaide as if ell the
world had suddenly turned her enc.
my.
And still another day the storm held.
The jumpers tossed in the rainy wind,
and the wild air had voices of cruel
significance. Or was Adelaide's mind
giving way under trouble? She had
so anticipated such far-reaching re.
suit, that she seemed already deep in
years of suffering.
Alone, on mournful evening, she
was suddenly electrified by cosrs re
voice, demanding
Where is this ere woman that's
been a-keepin' me out of my lawful
rights? I just want to set my eyes on
her II
Was her home to go to such people
Her heart sank, but the heavy step
came on.
Suddenly the door was flung open,
and, smiling, there stood Capt. Somers
Dearest, I hare come p
He caught her hands and drew hel
to her feet. She uttered cry of de-
light, then broke into sobbing sigh az
she felt herself clasped to his breast.
"Oh, only to part, my beloved |"
"Not at all, my dear one for am
the master of the jumpers. By your
grandfather's decree, which bestows i,
upon the poorest member of the de.
frauded family, it becomes mine and
next month sees our wedding"
And it was even so.-Wauerley.