The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-11-17
HOW BIRDIE ESCAPED.

HOW birdie ESCAfEUs
"You have good looks, you have
youth, you have address. Come at once,
and will introduce you to young lady
whose fortune, with her hand, will repair
what you have wasted.
Rolfe Rathburne threw down his un-
cle's letter, lighted cigar, and elevated
his fee: to the table. He knew very we'll,
he believed, whom his uncle referred to
a ward of his, Miss Eljnor Chauncy,
who must by this time be of marriagea-
BILE age considered.
I'm not marrying man, nuttered
Young Ra hburne, but when saw that
girl, eight years ago, she promised to be
a beauty; and man might do worse,
perhaps, than to take pretty wife with
plenty of money"
He was dissipated looking young
man of fve-and-twenty, with black
mustache and curling hair, which he
made the most of. He had fair pro-
portion of brains, but no morals to speak
of. He kept ahoat in good society, how
ever, having knowledge of good breed
ing, and a rich uncle-the Honorable
Christopher Brudenel. The Honorable
Christopher Brudenel bad written him
the above letter. He was partial to his
nephew.
Soon the French hotel where Rolfe
Rathburne boarded knew him no more.
He left these congenial quaters and be-
took himself to the fatigues Of railway
journey.
1t had been some years since he had
been at Ashdol, his uncle's country
house. Eight years before, when he was
trV n q y,
him the house; but that was one of the
many bygones which Mr.. Rolfe Rath-
burne's relatives were obliged to over
look.
Ashdon, with its white front pillars, it's
green lawns dotted with fower-laden
stone urls, its fountains and whispering
ash trees-Ashdon looked familiar.
He had walked up from the station,
leaving his baggage to be sent for.
Let me see" he soliloquized, viewing
the place from rise in the road. "The
girl was thirteen when l saw her last-a
charming little brunette-and they
called her Birdie. She must be twenty
now. and fascinating enough, I'll be
bounds Lonely here! Uncle keeps her
secluded, l fancy. Good idea! A
beauty with fortune is rather danger
Gus property to be lying around loose.
Wonder what her fancy is in men?
Girls always have some notions of their
own. AS she's q brunette, suppose /
ought to have big blonde beard to be
killing"
He had reached the gates of Ashdon
by this time, when man with a big
blonde beard suddedly approached. He
had package of letters in his hand. APP
parently he had just arrived, and was in
hurry.
Were you going in?" he asked.
Yes" said Rathburn.
The man, who was we'll dressed and of
fine appearance, selected a letter from
the number in his hand.
Il have letter here for Miss Chauncy.
Will yon be kind enough to deliver it to
her personality"
Rathburne, in good humor, assented
civilly, and the man passed on, walking
rapidly.
Hes not the postman; q tradesman,
probably" unused Rathburne.
The letter was simply directed, in q
clear and uniformly chirography, Miss
Chauncy, Ashdon." He put t in the
breast pocket of his coat, and turning
the handle of the iron gates of Ashton,
walked in.
Rolfe Rathburne had delivered that
letter with kindling eyes. Brides dark
eyes and rosebud mouth were more
charming than anything he had ever
seen before
Eyes, said the Honorable Christopher
Brudenel, my ward is very pretty, and
so far has lived q very secluded life. l
have thought ii best"
HAS she no other friends or
guardians, Uncle Chris?'
Uncle Chris, ford and portly, changed
color.
"She is an orphan, quite alone, but
for-wel1, in fact, she had another
guardian-Aubery Mordsunt. The ras-
cal wanted to marry her-for her money.
you know"
'Of course. What did you dor"
Told him I had sent her abroad, and
sent him posting OF TO search throu Oh
ali the convent schools in France TO nnd
her. Meanwhile, I have sent for you.