The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-12-22

opposite to her friends as were her bold,
dashing ways.
When she finished hor recital Eva
whispered something to her which SEEM
ed to astonish her very much; then after
moments serious consideration she
burst into merry peal OF laughter that
called forth a hundred echoes from the
Hollow near by.
"Ah, goodmorning, ladies!' interject-
ed the unmistakable voice of BARLEY be-
fore the reverberation ceased. II would
Ii to share your merriment, if it is adj
missible," as he rejoined the pair.
A frightened look from Eva checked
the acquiescence trembling on Adele
lips, and instead she replied:
"You cannot, Mr.. Dewhurst; it is our
secret!'
"Ah! then there is some mystery afoat?
You have chosen an appropriate location
to indulge in it," And with a laugh he
pointed to the Hollow.
"Our mystery is connected with that
ghostly hole" said Adele, with laugh
as hearty as his. So your opinion is not
misplaced, Mr.. Dewhurst."
The breakfast bell rang at this juno
ture, and the subject was dropped for
the discussion of Mrs. Sudd's hot bis
cult and the delicious breakfast Of vege-
tables, mutton and coffee.
The day--as indeed all the days they
had spent at the old Washington Farm
was passed pleasantly. Boating and
fishing in the Hudson: hunting in the
forest, or spending the leisure minutes
in the parlor at the piano, or on the
broad old veranda, reading Dickens,
Tennyson or Shakespeare, comprised the
best part of their amusement. All was q
fairy dream to BARLEY when in Eva's
company The oftener he saw her the
stronger became his love, and one night.
as he met her by chance, lie declared his
passion for her, and implored her to be
his wife.
For few minutes she was stunned
mute. She finally recovered her self
possession, however, and said:
Yes, BARLEY, love you'll love you!
I did not know it until now; but the
awakening is bitter to me, for cannot
become your wife,"
They stood on the veranda, the stars
winking at each other above, the soft
zephyrs rustling the vines tendrils in
musical sympathy with the lovers, and
the twitter of the nesting swallows up in
the caves lending charm to the scene
never to be forgotten.
He was amazed at her answer; he did
not dream of meeting with this sort Of
rejection of his suit. Here she confessed
that she loved him, but a minute later
declared she could not become his wife
Strange-strange!
"Will not?" he repeated like dream
ing person. "Why, Eva, you love me
too. And what is your reason?"
II cannot tell you now, Bartley-I
have not the courage" she replied, sad
ly. But, dearest, you must know it is
imperative, for by refusing your pro-
posal l am making my own life o bur
den to myself"
She lett him few minutes later, and
entered the house. He turned from the
spot feeling restful and miserable to the
last degree. Was it by design or only
by accident that he met Adele down the
path? Sha must have overheard his
avowal to Eva, but he felt too down.
hearted to care. A bow was exchanged,
and she passed into the house while he
strides. She had glanced keenly at him
Ms tueN pdSScu cdCIl JULIET, OuJ Saw uOW
useless it would have been to talk to him.
And beside, smile of triumph rested on
her face which she with the utmost diff
Guilty could hide from him.
Two hours later, the back door of the
farmhouse opened and white figure
glided out on the porch. and from
thence it noiselessly made its way to a
little thicket, and plunging among the
bushes, was soon invisible in the gloom
of the trees. 1t had hardly disappeared
when Adele appeared in the doorway
she glanced swiftly around, and seeing
the solitary figure OF BARLEY Dewhurst
as he still paced the greensward facing
the house, she approached him.
"Mr. Dewhurst," she exclaimed in a
low, sweet tone, "what has happened to
make you so very restless?"
"What, Adele!" he replied, turning
and seeing her at his side. 'Are you
not in bed and asleep yet? thought l
was quite alone"
II felt restless. and not being able to
sleep, thought would come out and
get a breath of fresh air. when saw
you, she replied glibly. "Aie you I'M
well ?"
NO" he replied, II am physically
we'll enough; but when the mind is dis
eased, it is worse than bodily illness"
II am so sorry for your she said.
srT1ora is-Oh mv' what ia fhak2 500