The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-12-15

At that instant the gathers of the
gown gave way, and at the same time
the green calish and iron-bowed glasses
fell off and down foated mass Of hair,
and up looked sweet, girlish face in a
pretty flush of girlish shame.
Mr.. WinamakeI had only an instant
look, for as soon as she felt herself re-
leased, Miss Peachy Peay disappeared
around the corner of the house never to
return.
"Oh, mamma! what trick has been
played on u.s." cried Mabel. "Did you
know it was Maggie all the time? I didn't
dream it.
Mamma smiled with wise superiority.
Country life gets dull sometimes, and
we have to amuse ourselves with all sorts
of travesties, said she, in apology to Mr..
Winamaker.
As to poor Maggie, she would gladly
have hidden her diminished head during
Mr.. Winam aker's stay; but that was not
possible. The servant who was to have
been such family relief never came,
and Maggie was both chambermaid aud
Underwater. But when she appeared
that night with his cup of tea, Mr.. Wilma
maker gave no sign of recognition. So
by degrees the hot color burnt itself out
on her cheeks, and she quite recovered
her tranquility. Nevertheless, he Eoted
every look and word and gesture, though
so quietly that even Mrs. Caldwell's OBJ
servant eyes did not see it.
So that, for once in her life, she was
taken unawares when, at the end of two
weeks, Mr.. Winamaker led her to the
arbor at the foot of the garden for the
sake of asking her advice, as she said,
and began to ask it by announcing his
intention of adopting Maggie Tole as his
daughter.
my advice" thought Mrs. Caldwell,
curling her lip little. ''He is past adj
vice, and good way past it. I have
seen for two days which way the robin
was going to fly"
But outwardly she was sweeter than
honey and smoother than oil.
''How nice" she said, heartily, yet, as
woman would have perceived. with an
undertone of disapprobation. "a capt.
tai idea" she continued, after reflective
p iuse, "only-I doubt if her grand
father would part with her. And then
she is rather old for adoption-22 at
least, fancy"
"Twenty-twoy" repeated Mr.. Wilma
maker, aghast.
To be sure! What had he been think
ing of. Whatever it was he evidently
thought of it no more, for, though he
staid another two weeks, he never spoke
of adopting daughter.
Neither did he at Christmas when he
came to Cranberry, to see how the coun-
try looked in its robes of TRANSPORTATION,
white and glistening. Nor in the early
spring time, when he came for no reason
at all ct Aunt Phoebe could discover.
''Unless to see about getting board for
next summer; and I should most
thought he'd wrote for that, and not be
to the cost of a journey down here, said
she. Look here! 1 wouldn't go in the
parlor-theres folks there-that New
York gentleman, Mr.. Wagonmaker.
Likely he wants to see your pa on some
business or other" she added, as Maggie
came down the stairs, looking as fair and
fresh as daisy.
She went right on, however, in spite
of Amt Phebe's warning, and as soon as
she opened the parlor door, Mr.. Wilma.
maker came forward, and, bless you,
kissed her!
81 want to know" calculated Aunt
Phoebe, opening her eyes.
She did know, and soon, for though
Mr.. Winamaker still said nothing about
adopting a daughter, Maggie Tole, be-
fore the water lilies were in bloom, went
to live with him in his beautiful home in
the city.
And when she went, packed away in
the choicest corner of her trunks, among
white satin and lace and muslin and
orange flowers, was q green calash.
In memory. saio the naPPy oruo
introduced me to my wife,"
A MURDER, NOT DUEL.-A suicide
under rather peculiar circumstances is
Al.o