The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-04-14

Ing tOWu ueAt uOruluS, 10 nave IL cut w
fit her taper hand.
"She allowed me to kiss her lips for
the first time in adieu that night, and
| chung to me with strange fear, her usual
grave dignity gone beneath the new
spirit that came over her. I should not
see her again until the next night, and
she promised to meet me at the gate, just
where we parted.
II went to town the next day, had the
ring cnt q smaller size, and returned in
time to keep my interview with her at
the time appointed. When I reached
the cottage gate, found she was not
there to meet me, nor was old Lisette in
her usual seat in the low rocker before
the open door.
with beating heart I entered the
garden in search of Felise; not daring to
give way to my fear, lest it should un-
man me.
"a sound of voices drew me toward
the little summer-house, where we so
often had sat, and there found my love;
but mine no longer, for another's arms
were around her, and she was saying, a.
drew near:
"'I give him up for you! Will that
content you?" And before my staring
eyes I saw her cling to him and kiss him
with sobbing breath.
"'Felise' cried and never shall for
get the face she turned on me at the
sound of my voice. It was stern and
cold in the moonlight, and her eyes
glowed like lamps of fire.
"'Is this true?'I asked. You give me
up for this fellow!' for rapid glance
showed me that his handsome face was
dissipated and vulgar, his uniform shah
by and worn without military air, and
his whole appearance ungentlemanly and
blase.
eyes she said, coldly,
"'You love this man?' demanded.
"'Yes,' she still replied, in that cold,
lifeless voice, and her burning eyes new
err left my face.
"Then the fellow cut in with an OATH
"'Hasn't she said enough? Why don't
you go?'
II felt like choking the miserable life
out of him, for my misery was making
me desperate; but she came up to me
swiftly, and with uplifted face said hum
bly,:
long to this man and must obey him.
pray you go"
"'I left her then-for had I stayed l
should have killed herewith those words
on her lips, and came back on here to
you, Essie, as quick as land and water
could be travelled over.
II have borne it for over a year-how,
God knows; for at times felt as if I
must go back, and tear her from that
scamp's possession, and crush his evil,
handsome face out of all semblance to
humanity. shall bear it in time, sup
pose. Others have been as hard hit; but
oh, Felise, Felise! could not such love
as mine keep you pure and true?"
His voice broke in sob of pain, and
his hand was stretched ont eagerly. A
violent Juggling began at his legs; lit
tie voice piped out continuously:
donnie, Donnie! Wake up!"
And, with great start, he realized
that he had been asleep in the freight,
and dreamed that he had told his love
story to his sister.
Before him, hugging his knees with
both arms, stood a small. plump little
body, arrayed in white and all the splen-
dor of a red sash, which he recognized
as his small niece. whom Jack called his
domestic produce"
SIS you never goin to wake up Don
nie2" she gravely questioned, Juggling at
him again.
He blinked, and rubbed his eyes.
WAS asleep. young un?" he asked
soberly,
1T sinks you were--as tight as" she
hesited for a smile-''as nothin', Don
nier'
"Was I talking, Pix?" he asked, sud-
denly.
Her eyes grew round as blue marbles.
Like fits!' she said, theoretically,
her face aglow. can you made me
sorry, too" she continued, plsintively,
nesting against him. Donnie was you
sick when you-you grunted SOP" and
she sighed. to explain.
Every sick at heart, darling
She stroked his beard tenderly.
"An'-an' wouldn't at bad girl nurse
your"
mo, Pix. She broke my heart"
And Don. felt the tears drop down on
the little, golden head, as the dimpled
hand patted his cheek softly, and she
whispered:
"There, there, there love you,
Donnie"
The door was dashed open violently,
by an energetic hand, and hearty voice
called out:
''Essie! Pix! Here, somebody come to
welcome mel"