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

we meet again"
Philip kissed the cheek which flushed
redly at the touch of his lips Dot was
chary of permitting caresses, and though
they had been fond of each other from
their boy and girl days, Philip had never
presumed to kiss her, unless when play
inga game forfeits in some of the merry
gatherings which are sometimes given in
country neighborhoods for the double
purpose of drawing the young people to-
getber and helping the farmers to husk
thfir corn, or get the rosy produce OF
the orchards into festoons of neatly
pared and quartered apples to Try, On
the principle that many hands and MIN
bic fingers make light and pleasant
work.
The next moment he was following
the 1.-THE little figure with sad eyes until
it had disappeared under the overhang-
ing branches. He lacked Dots faith in
the kindness of the future He could
not anticipate long separation, and
perhaps arrangement; and it was with
heavy heart that he gathered up his
fishing tackle and started for home. A
distant relative of the Ingrahams had
lately died. and had willed his property
to his cousin, Dorothy Ingraham. Dur
inc his lifetime he had never shown that
he was aware of the existence of our
little Dot, and it was a great surprise to
her when the old gertleman's solicitor
came from New York with the intelli-
gence that he had made her an heiress
At first it was great pleasure to the
girl, and she built many pretty castles
in the air" about the way she would use
her wealth, until change came over the
scene.
Mr.. Ingraham, who had heretofore
seemed well pleased to have his daush-
ter in Philip Bertrams sompany, began
to entertain higher views for her, and
when young Mr.. Dinsmore, son of the
president of the village bank, began to
drop in of an evening, with the evident
intention of seeing Dot, though he asked
for her father, poor Philip began to be
treated coldlv, and at last was forbidden
the house!
Had Dots mother been living, things
wonld have been different, for her sterl-
ing good sense would have carried the
dav against her husbands sudden inila-
ton caused by their good fortune. But
since his wfe's death Mr.. Ingraham had
no one to influence him, for he consider
ed Dot a mere child, to be petted and
governed as though she were five years
of age, instead of we'll grown girl of
eighteen. of more than ordinary capac-
ity and good sense.
Affairs went on in this way for sever
al months. Mr.. Dinsmore's calls grew
more frequent, and strong pressure
was made tc bear upon Dot to make her
listen to his suit, which was now openly
declared. She had now tried to discour-
age him by treating him with marked
GOODNESS and indifference; but he would
not take a repulse, and her life was
growing to be an unhappy one, her IA
theirs conversation being almost princip-
ally upon the PROJECTIONS of her sutton,
whom, at heart, she cordially detested,
though doing her best to treat him with
courtesy.
Philip knew of his constant visits,
and hearc rumors of an engagement.
He grew gloomy and morose, and when
he CHANGED to meet Dot. would pass her
in way that made her poor little heart
ache.
So things went on from bad to worse,
until Dot would have been glad if her
Inheritance had been sunk in the sea.
At last another actor appeared-a young
girl, who created quite sensation IN
the quiet village. She was from city
in the far West, and was very pretty,
and knew Just what colors to choose for
her toilet to set off the tints of her
glowing brunette complexion.
Dots heart felt like lead i'll her bosom,
when one day she met the stranger
walking jauptily by Phillips side. She
was shortly afterwards introduced to
her, and for few moments a hateful
spirit suggested that she would make
herself disagreeable but she resolutely
put the temptation away from her and
appeared her own natural, lovable self.
She soon ceased to wonder at Philips
evident pleasure in Miss Belmonts socl-
ETY.. She was so frank and cheerful
and sparkling in her conversation, that
she vas won from her prejudice, and
~ l.. g.