The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-07-28

his uncle's death in one of those Eastern
lands, and of his succession as the only
one left of the name. Ralph was at that
time hard at work studying in German
university; and he did not allow the
news of his improved fortunes to dis
turb him, unless it were with golden
visions of bright future in store
for him when he should have
finished his course. But before he did
finish it, there came another letter from
the lawyer, inclosing one from his uncle
himself, who was not dead but living,
and on his way back to Woodvale-the
mistake having arisen from the death OF
another Englishman of the same name in
the East also. This was some four or
five months ago; and to-day Ralph had
come, at his uncle's invitation, to take
his first view of the inheritance which for
a few months he lad supposed to be his
own.
you'll not begrudge it to me for lit.
tie while, ell, Ralph, my boy?" the old
man was saying to him, as the two were
seated in the library together, an hour or
after the young mans following of the
path pointed out to him by Little But
tercut had brought him to Woodvale. 'It
will only be for little while; and then
the old place will go to you, hope.
For though it is not entailed, 1 cannot
approve of land going out of the name.
With other property, of course. it is diff
ferent-a man must provide for his own.
But Woodvale should go down to o
Wood; O girl counts for nothing there. !"
Ralph looked at him rather vacantly I;
what had girl to do with the question?
But be had not time to think it over, for
his uncle was resuming.
''There is only one condition I shall
make, Ralph. That you shall marry in
your own rank OF life. There, you need
not frown-I did not mean the least re-
Election on your mother, who lived and
died very estimable woman, have
heard. But-call it within of an old
man, if you will-my father had it be-
fore mel do not mean that Woodvale
which is mine absolutely, to leave as 1
please, shall be yours unless you do
marry in your own rank. l tell you this
now, that hereafter there may be no dis
appointment"
"There could be no disappointment in
any case," Ralph answered calmly. II
came here to see you, not your lands.
But l must tell you, Uncle Gilbert, the
inheritance would not stop me if wished
to marry"
"Would not stop you? Heavens, boy,
don't tell me that already"
"No," he said, laughing, and coloring
all over his handsome young face. mot
already. sir; and hope never; for l con.
fess to liking for being the master Of
change masters-an hour which l trust
is far away"
There was hearty ring in the words,
at which the old man looked pleased.
He was about to make some answer,
when q servant entered to announce din
ner-giving his master at the same time
a little twisted note, which, when he had
read, the old man put into his pocket
with a puzzled air. Ralph would have
been still more puzzled, could he have
glanced over his shoulder, but perhaps
the reader will understand more at a
glimpse of it.
DEAR PApA-If you haven't told him
anything about me, don't. l am not
coming in to dinner. 1t is just whim
of mine, which you must obey"
So the two men went into the old din
ing hall together, and there was no men,
ton of any absentee.
During the week that ensued, Ralph
found his time very much on his own
hands. His uncle did not attempt to
make o change in his studious habits
upon his nephew's account; and his long
wanderings abroad had made him so
thoroughly un-English, that there was
absolutely no intercourse between him
and his neighbors. The very servants
were all orientals, brought home by him
on his homecoming; so that Ralph, for
conversation, however limited, was re-
stricted to his uncle's society, in the few
hours which did not find the latter en-
crossed in books and papers.
Entirely restricted, the old man night
have said, if he had thought about it all.
But in reality there was one exception.
Down in the meadow, by the brook
side, the buttercups were blooming still
and Ralph found himself there among
them day after day. Perhaps he was be-
coming botanist; at any rate, the but
tercup is said to be very useful to the
student of botany, as being an excellent
type of all flowers.
He was saying this to little Buttercup
Just now, and she was listening between
q laugh and blush. Certainly the roses
and the lilies were on her face, as we'll
O. the yellow gold in her hair, and the