The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-09-08
The RecOmpense that Returns.

WdlA uly hhSSA's Ava s,S
is fearfully cold"
She threw her snow-dusted cloak on
the only vacant chair aud tossed her
black hat on the bed; then she coiled up
at Annie's feet in front of the meager
register. =,
well, darling. what is the trouble
now?" and the elder sister looked down
at the fair face and the eyes so wistful
and sad.
The two girls were orphans, and were
toiling in the respectable harness Of
teaching. Theirs was only the oft-repeat'
ed story of New York life. Their father
had failed, and had not strength to rally
again, and the frail mother soon followed
her husband to that rest where the
weary are sleeping. A rich relative had
educated the girls so that they might be
independent, and now they were battling
and struggling in the great city whose
God is gold. Annie, the elder by two
summers, was gentle-eyed girl of %,
one of those icalm, self-relying natures
that rise in all the strength of the old
masters when circumstances so require,
a heroine born, that storms only
strengthen; with pure classic face; and
stroye and suffered as resident English
governess in one of the large fashionable
schools of the city. while the younger,
the impulsive, sensitive Mary, was teach
ing Mrs. Wales four children in beau
tiful home on the avenue.
On Thursday Mrs. Vale had issued
cards for ball the following week, and
to ask Annie's advice in reference to
this ball the young girl had braved the
November storm.
Sand now, Annie help me to decide,
for although Mrs. Vale is very kind to
me, urging my presence on the plea OF
friendship, yet all that is practical In
my nature counsels me to come and stay
with you till ten. and then creep quietly
back into my own room and read until
WEAKNESS sends me to sleep
Would it not be better, dear, to please
Mrs Vale?"
Better. Annie?" and her eyes flashed,
"better to feel the pangs of position
to which have not been born? True,
Mrs. Vale is considerate woman and
would shield me if she could; but will
her guests regard her protection? Who
is that?' will some jeweled shoddy ex-
claim. and how can the question be an
swered? l am neither Mrs, Wales rela-
tive nor guest, but the governess OF her
children"
Her voice trembled and her eyes were
full of tears.
'No, Annie" she continued, 81 have
no place in society, and it is safer not to
risk attack"
Annie felt the truth of her sisters
logic. vet she knew that it was wiser for
Mar to accept Mrs. Wales invitation.
No kind shelter awaited the orphans,
for self-reliance was hard necessity
forced upon them: and it was drawer to
meet life's shares than to shrink, and
shrinking, lose good home. The elder
sister also felt pardonable pride in the
rare beauty before her, so she
tried to soothe the sensitive spirit, and
Maynard, naughty nature. And in truth
Mary Carter was gifted with the "fatal
gift" for if the mere accident of birth
leaves its impress, she as thoroughly IL
Illustrated that birth as any of the patri-
clan beauties OF the old days of Rome.
Light golden waves of hair, that the
poets love, shaded her low Greek fore
head, and beneath her proudly-arched
brows shone dark, angeful hazel eyes
eyes that CLEAN with passion, or glance
tenderly soft, as cooling doves; then q
1.-THE, graceful, expressive figure, with
the walk even characteristic, and you
felt when you looked upon her that
mere circumstance could not locate her,
but that she belonged where she was
born. among the daintiest of the land. A
woman to be sheltered and cared for, not
to struggle and suffer.
Annie's arguments prevailed, and on
the night of the ball Mary Carter walked
in the brilliant rooms with Mrs. Vale,
and not even in that lovely gathering
was one fairer than the young girl stand
ing at Mrs. Wales side.
Only q simple dress of tulle fell in q
cloud mist around her. and wreath OF
lilies bound her shining hair Excite
ment deepened the color in her cheeks,
and her eyes were luminous with the
light that only such eyes as hers ever
give forth.
MY friend, Miss Carter" How
Mary's heart beat as Mrs. Vale intro.
duced her. The inherited pride was
undiminished; and although she fell
that her position was honorable, ye'
she knew that society gave her no status
But Helmsmuller's lovely music wa
sounding, and youth, with its keen rel
ish Of pleasure. cannot always feel thu
shackles of circumstances, so Mary for
got her nervous fears and enjoyed ever.
moment till-well, it was near the clos
Of the evening. The beautiful Fans