The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-05-05

Jewels please; think that pearl anu opal
set will match her dress perfectly"
hurried down to the greenhouse.
Heartache was no new sensation, but
some how my pain seemed intOlerable,
and the gorgeous tropical blossoms stitied
me with their rank odors.
forgot Rites flowers, forgot her wait
ing toilet, forgot everything but my own
suffering. An aloe tree in full blossom,
standing alone like some weird NEGRO
mancer, caught my eye, and sank down
at it's roots, and burst into tears.
seemed to see papa's grave, covered with
yellow Autumn leaves. heard the wash
of the waves, the murmur of the pine
trees. The hustle of the gaslight streets
drove me to frenzy.
"This life is killing me; must go
home to the old Hall and papa's grave. !"
A hand touched my arm as the words
broke from my lips.
II beg your pardon, madam; you
seem in distress. Can I help Good
heavens, Bell! is that you?"
Captain Carruthers!"
leaped to my feet, and we stood face
to face. He, bronzed and beared, but
the frank, kind eyes were unchanged. A
wild impulse seized me to grasp his
hands and tell him how lonely and friend
less I was; but woman's pride, stronger
even than her love, stihed the desire ct
its very birth. I bowed coldly.
"Why, Bell, you haven't changed. ::
only you look wan and sad. am so glad
to meet you. 1 have written again and
again, until I fancied you were dead.
How is it that find you in PARISH"
an, T hid vOf1 UOO6 ovoninO
Captain Carruthers."
The glad, kind, handsome eyes widened
with wonder as darted away.
Dear me, Bell, I thought you'd never
come. I didn't like to keep Carruthers
waiting. Gracious goodnessl where are
the fowers?"
81 didn't get them, and can't dress
you, Marguerite. I am going to my
room"
"Why, what is the matter? Are you
in?"
1 did not pause to answer. AT noon the
following day my aunt summoned me to
her presence.
"You need not read to-day. Bell; want
to talk to you. You met Captain Carruth-
ers in the greenhouse last night?'
Yes" by accident.
Aunt Edmonton toyed with the tassels
of her morning robe, and for the first
time, to my knowledge, showed signs OF
embarrassment.
"By accident, of course. didn't sup
pose you mistook my meaning, my dear.
He's fine, handsome fellow, and he and
Rite are we'll matched don't you think so?
Well, my dear, his coming changes our
plans in measure. We may remain here
for the winter; and your health seems to
be failing, and you don't like Paris, Bell,
and thought perhaps
"You thought you would send me home,
Aunt Edmonton. Pray do; l meant to ask
permission to 60 this very day-Tm
dreadfully homesick."
She laughed genially, and crossing the
room, kissed me with more tenderness
than she had ever shown.
'"Then you shall have permission, my
dear. Mrs. Montague, an old friend OF
mine, leaves Paris tonight, and you
shall go under her charge
went. leaving giddy Paris behind me
with feeling of relief.
But when reached the old home how
desolate it was. Winter came, and the
white snow filed the hollows and
crowned the hills. Letters from Aunt
Edmonton informed me they were in
Rome, with Captain Carruthers as escort
and limited tat q great wedding when
spring came. Did care? What was Cap
tain Carruthers to me? Marguerite
would make him stately, beautiful
bride. Yet through all the long days
and nights my heartache never ceased or
abated.
Spring came and the skies grew soft
and tender. One March morning went
out to rake my flower beds. The hya-
cinths and butter-cups were already
above the mould. The winds blew warm
from the south and:the sunshine glim-
mered like gold. threw aside my rake
and sat down to cry, not in hopeless sor-
row, but in ew-born faith.
A step crunched the gravel of the walk,
tall shadow fell athwart the sunshine.
started to my feet.
Captain Carruthers!"
"Good morning Miss Edmonton"
HAS my aunt Gomez
"No, l left her in Venice"
"And you-why are you here?"
The kind eyes smiled down upon me
full Oh sad reproach.
ITO say good-by at once, Bell, if my
company is not wanted. My regiment is
ordered off again, but l could not go
without having one last look at your
fcco