The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-02-10

Eben returned from his visit to Miss
Barbery's with glittering eyes and flushed
face.
"What is it, Cousin Eber?" asked
Mary.
80, Aunt Betsy was more glad to SEE
me than you can think. When l raped
at her door she opened it herself. She
stared at me little minute, then she
caught hold of my hand and pulled me
into the house. But look here, and see
what she gave me before I can tell you
about her." And the excited boy filled
Mary's work-basket with pennies and
silver coin from his two pockets, then
added, "All these she gave me, and you
ought to have seen the big bones she
gave Popto, and there wss lots of meat
on them, too. Speak, Ponto, and tell
what else she gave you. He says,
bread and butter. Well, you can
never think how glad she was to see me.
She said she had been saving her pennies
for me ever since she left our house, and
so long as she lived she would never
spend another one, but keep them oil for
me. She made me eat rie and cake until
felt sick. Grandpa, you always said
she had no heart; but she never showed
much of it when she lived here. Cousin
Mary, she inquired for you, and said
she would like to have you call and see
her."
"Why don't she call on me?"
II invited her to call, and it made her
look awful cross. began to think of
my head. Mosto of the bumps have on
it Miss Burberry made"
II think she made some very good
Ones"
"They didn't feel very good at the
time, though. But after little while
her cross look softened down, and she
said 'Ebe, Il was frightened again, for
she always called me Ebe when storm
was comlng-but now she only said,
'Ebe,' you remember old times. The
tiger isn't dead yet. had better not
come over to your house. Mary may
come here. 1 remember her ma, and
would like to see the child So cousin
Mary, you must call on her. She says
she don't feel well, and shan't live
long"
Three days later, Mary called on Miss
Burberry. She raped at the old-fash-
toned door. 1t was opened by poor
lame child. who supported himself with
a crutch. He said:
walk in, Miss Burberry will be here
SOON"
Mary had scarcely entered before the
lady of She house stood before her.
Tall and erect and still she stood, her
dark eyes flashing wildly. Mary, seeing
this, knew she had come in stormy
hour, but she rose and timidly said,
Miss Barberry?"
No nod of acknowledgment was given,
and she added,
MARY Pearl"
Miss Burberry moved slightly back
wards, muttering between her teeth,
Pearl, Pearl; It's fine thing to have
a pearly name; It's fine thing to have
u pretty face; I had one once;" now
checking herself, Us if better feelings
were struggling into life, she said, "you
are welcome"
Mary offered her bouquet of flowers
she had gathered from their garden.
(She had been told her Aunt Betsey was
fond of Aowers.) But she turned her
back, saying, Keep them; they hormo-
nize with your name, face, and life"
Now she took up her bonnet that lay
on the table. and said:
II must go to market; then, turning
to the lame boy, she added:
Johnny, stay here till I get back"
The door closed after the unhappy
woman, and Mary Pearl sat in mute as
tonishment, cogitating in her mind what
she had better do under the present I'M
favorable circumstances. 'Shall go
home" she said, land wait for calmer
waters, or shall l tarry here until she re-
turns?"
She placed her flowers in pitcher of
then commenced conversation with the
lame boy.
She asked, "Do You live with Miss
Burberry?
II live with my mother, Mrs. Under
hill. She lives in o part of Miss Bar
berry's farm. My father takes care OF
Miss Barberry's farm, and stay IN here
with her q good deal Of the time."
do you like to stay in here?'
"Of course do"
II should think it would be rather
onely."
"Of course tbs; but then it's lonely
everywhere for me. You see, I'm not
like other boys-I was born stability
can't grow like other boys-I am six
teen years old"
"You are very small; is it possible you
are sixteen years old!"
"Of course, am. / was born into
this miserable shape sixteen years ago,
with one foot twisted backward, az you
see."