The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-03-03
"What is it now 2" asked Adelaide, in

| NAOAS - ~ otOOPAuS W AlOo guilty.
blush, and Immediately, with strange
fortune, discovering a diamond ring at
the edge of the grass plot.
He showed it to her-a diamond
quantity set; his property for fifteen
years, he said, the gift of his dead
mother.
The heiress of the jumpers was as
guileless as a child She aver thought
of fear; and what was there to suggest it
in gentle words and courtly tones? And,
fortunately, Captain Somers was an hon
est man and honestly in love.
They chatted among the rose vines for
long hour. The young man made a
practical use of his time. With undue
stress he told her who he was-the
younger of two orphan brothers left
early to find their fortune. The older
had succeeded better than he; perhaps,
because less scrupulous. 1t was God
frey's yacht that Gordon commanded.
He had no money; but he had not a vice,
and the good will of all men.
And when he had gone she found that
he had left with her letters highly CON-
plimentary, recommending him to sta
tons of trust, so that she was able to
afford Aunt Resolve all the assurance
she needed.
And now Adelaide was no longer
alone. She had lover.
Week after week the yacht Mermaid
remained in the offing. Day by day the
young people hoated on the smooth sum-
mer tide or strolled in the garden, or
sang at the old piano, songs ringing and
full of sweetness.
Perhaps no happier hearts existed un
der the sun. Then Godfrey Somers sent
for his yacht, and Gordon must needs
obey and speed north.
"Oh, Gordon, you will forget me"
she cried.
Forget my little oriole? Never!
Child, you do not know how I love you.
Wear this ring for me, Adelaide.
1t was deep and yellow, and bore in
deeply engraved characters the word
Always And so they parted for few
weeks betrothed lovers.
The summer waned, but Adelaide was
so happy she did not mind when the
rose petals fell and the fruit was gath
cred.
Aunt Resolve, who watched her con-
stantly nowadays, saw she was wrap
ped in q dream of him. Her nature of
great sweetness was alive, and her love
life was all to him. And now, for Som
ers' sake-that was all plain-she began
to take an interest in the task and plans
at the jumpers.
"Where does the money come from
that pays the plantation hands for their
work, Aunt Resolve?"
"They have their cabins and corn and
sweet potato patches. 1 paythem small
wages out of the fruit crop"
"What does that consist of"
Strawberries. pears, melons and
grapes" -
"Where are they sold?"
81 send them north by the boats?"
"What buys our food and dresses?"
1.-The oyster beds. They are great
deal of care, 1 assure you"
For you. You have the care Of every
thing. Let me learn to help you dear
auntie; let me learn to be useful to
you."
And Adelaide grew busy, painstaking
and thrifty. She was busting an old
cabinet one day when a panel, which
had always seemed secure, slipped from
its groove into her hand showing q cav
ity filled with compartments behind. In
one was q bit of folded yellow paper. 1t
was not worth disturbing at first Ade-
aide thought.
At last with reluctant curiosity she
drew it forth, unfolded and scanned its
faded characters, and as she read her
dark eyes dilated, her cheeks paled she
caught her breath.
Aunt Resolve was counting out money
on the library table. Suddenly Adelaide,
all white and trembling, entered the
room, the paper in her hand.
"What have you there?"
Aunt Resolve had grown suddenly
ghastly at the sight of the faded scrap.
She snatche,l at the girls wrist, and drew
the paper toward her without touching
it. She saw only too clearly the minute,
quaint characters, clear rs print, though
the ink was faded. Then she pushed
Adelaide away and turned aside her face.
The bewildered girl sat down upon the
footstool at her feet.
"Oh! Aunt, what is it,"
1T is nothing" portioning oft the sill
YER with trembling hand. 1.-The salt
marsh must be cut now; so 60 away child
I am busy"
But the girl chung about her knees.
ooh! this is my grandfather's name
signed to this" she cried, land am
homeless"
"Tut, tut"
"Am not the last of my race? His
father gained it dishonesty he says,
land when his descendants shall have
dwindled to single one, let him nor her
not dare to marry, but restore the estate
to the riQhtful family bestowing it upon