The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-02-03
ga bay window Just there, sir, open

week to look after things for awhile. The
fact is, intend to be married In
couple of months, and everything is to
be of the handsomest and most recherche
for the future Mrs. Bennington.
Exactly. think"
Mr.. Bennington looked severely across
the crimson cover at the bright debonair
face, with it's wide awake blue eyes and
curling blonde hair.
iii not trouble you to say what you
think. lam not in the habit OF being
answered back, under any circum-
stances"
And he looked his most pompous,
while Jack smiled-a curious sort of
smile, that Mr.. Bennington failed to
translate. Z.
"Oh. all rightr' he answered.
Maud Angleseys sweet little face was
swelled and red with crying, as size lifted
her black eyes to her mothers face.
81 don't want to marry him, mammal"
she sobbed, piteously. 81 can't bear
the sight of him. Oh, mamma, I don't
want to marry Mr.. Bennington"
"You forget how rich you will be, my
darling" Mrs. st. Clement Anglesey
said. coaxingly, yet with hard, merci-
less little glitter in her eyes. ''There
won't be girl far or near but will envy
you your diamonds and carriage horses,
and your toilets. There's not villa on
the Hudson that can compare with Mr..
Bennington's country seat or mansion
on Fifth Avenue that equals it. Why,
child, you will be queen; your life will
be fairy tale"
"But despise him SO! He is fifty
seven, and am not nineteen yet. Man,
ma, mamma! it is cruel"
Mrs. Anglesey's maid tapped on the
boudoir door, with splendid basket of
orchids for Mrs. Anglesey, and a tiny
casket and a note for Maud, with Mr..
Bennington's compliments.
"Oh what darling! SO thoughtful!
Mrs. Anglesey said, gushingly; while
| Maud glanced at the note.
The barouche was at the door, waiting
! Miss Anglesey's order. Would she drive
ND to the town-house, and make choice
of several styles of drapery, arranged for
her selection and would Mrs. Anglesey
accompany her? He would meet both
ladies there.
"Of course we will CO. Tell James to
have Mr.. Bennington's coachman wait,
Abbey"
Then. as the maid went with her mes.
sage, Mrs. Anglesey peeped at the casket
Maud had just opened-a great, blazing
locket of dead gold, set with diamonds
and rubies, to form Maud's monogram.
And her soft black eyes involuntarily
glowed with all woman's instructive ad-
| r;ration for heantif1lI things
''It is lovely" she said.
"And so good of him." seconded Mrs.
Anglesey, rapturously. "My dear child,
you ought to regard yourself the happi-
est girl in the world. Go get your new
hatNthe one with the lemon plume-and
let Abbey put your locket on velvet
ribbon at once"
| At the avenue palace, Maud roamed
hither and thither, with shining eyes,
and face such as a delighted child
wears when it has beautiful new toy.
She was veritable child in some
things-this blessed capacity, for in
stance, of putting her misery away from
her for the present; and Mr.. Bennington
and Mrs. Anglesley were rejoiced equally
over their bargain.
"It is a palace-a perfect palace!" Mrs.
| Ane lesey said, with condescending ap-
probation. maud, my darling, these
olive and pink draperies Just suit your
style, and-why, l thought Maud was
with you, Mr.. Bennington. Where has
the child gone? Oh, yonder she comes!'
Just as Maud appeared, her velvet
eyes shining, her cheeks flushed, very
much to her elderly purchasers admira-
ton.
81 dropped my parasol, mamma, and
such a time as had to find it. An ell
egant young gentleman. out there in the
conservatory, helped me. Who is he,
Mr.. Bennington"
An awful look darkened all over Mr.
Benningtons ford face.
II was not aware OF the. presence OF
any such fellow" he said, so stiffiy that
Maud could not help seeing the look
Mrs. Anglessey telegraphed to her. III
you mean the young man l have en-
ployed to oversee the alterations
But after that Maud said no more to
any one about it, although it was rather
remarkable the daily increasing interest
she took in the repairs and alterations,
and how very many visits she felt called
upon to pay, to manifest her choice about
various details
While Mr.. Bennington, proud and
self-complacent because his purchased
bride-elect was SO charmingly interest
ing. and Mrs. Anglessey. pleased and
gratifed. said, 81 told you so!' on one
bright autumn day, at that very minute