The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-01-20
MRS. TEREBIATH,S BIRTHDAY.

the 18th of June.
And Mrs. Terebiath had property tc
leave which probably may account fol
tie devotion of large circle of rela.
tives, and their kind remembrances,
whenever the eighteenth of June came
around, as we'll as for their cordial ha.
tired of little Winifred Leslie, whom the
old lady had adapted out of an orphan
asylum, and was bringing up" after al
cratic system, which comprised great
deal of scolding, hem-stitching, and
stocking, and very little indulgence.
But there are occasions in which even
one as helpless and insignificant as Win
fired Leslie was made useful and this
was one of them.
"Winny," said Captain Leofric Tere-
bath, the old lady's nephew, "you are
poor girl
Eyes. Mr.. Leofric, replied Winny
meekly.
"Have you heard my aunt mention
any particular article-ahem!-or gift,
you know that she would fancy ON her
birthday, eh?"
"No, Mr.. Leofrlc," said Winny, de-
mnrely, ''but she was telling old DR..
Duffer what beautiful picture she saw
last week at the Genufex Gallery. She
said, if it hadn't been for the price, she
would have been tempted to buy it for
her bourdoir."
.The Genufex Gallery, eh?" said the
Captain, pulling his long mustache.
'You don't remember the subject, do
you. eh?"
eyes, sir" said Winny, "It was 'On
the Juniata.' At least that is what she
said"
"All right" said the Captain. "I'Il
give you quarter, Winny, the next
time I have any change"
"Thank you, Mr.. Leofric," replied
Winny.
Winny had scarcely finished busting
her parlor when in rustled Mrs. Forces
ter, Mrs. Terebiath's cousin, one re.
moved.
my cousin Phoebe is not in, is she,
Winifred?"
mo, ma'am," said Winny.
cob" remarked Mrs. Forester, with
gilt-stoppered smelling-bottle at her
nose.
"Winifred, I'm going to make con-
fidant of your
care you, ma 'am?" said Winny.
Mrs. Forester nodded.
II want to make my cousin Phoebe an
acceptable birthday gift, Winifred, said
she. "Now, can you mention anything
for which she has lately expressed a
wish? This is quite confidential-be-
tween ourselves, you know.
sob, yes, ma'am," said Winifred, with
wide-open blue eyes. "There was a
painting that she admired at the Genu-
fiex Gallery"
mot word more!" said Mrs. Fer
roster, lifting her primrose. kidded
finger. 'Now tell me what was the sub
ject?"
"It was a scene on the Juniata river,
ma'am. heard her say"
eyes" said Mrs. Forester. Exactly.
That is all, my good girl. I've cast
off alpaca dress at home, that will try
and remember to give to you some
time"
And Mrs. Forester rustled out of the
room. leaving behind her strong odor
of patchouli, while Winny's blue eyes
laughed in unison with the sly dimples
around the corners of her rosebud of a
mouth.
Away posted Captain Leofric, on the
wings of the street car, to the Genutiex
Gallery. There was the usual proper
ton there of the lounging pleasure
seeking, newspaper critics, staring anna
tours, pretty girls, and stout gentlemen
but through them all Captain Terebiath
made his way to the spot where, on the
crimson -draped wall, hung the picture
chronicled in the catalogue as "On the
Juniata."
Horror of horrors! In the corner
blinked little green ticket, on which
was inscribed the four little words
"Sold."
80 q, repeated the Captain to him
self, wiping the beads of perspiration
from his forehead with a cambria pocket
handkerchief. $50 am I! Where's the
address of the fellow that painted it?
Perhaps I can outbid the one who pur-
chased it.
Mr.. Roland Tinto lived in a three-pair
of stairs studio at 80 Lavender Place.
The Captain climbed the stairs Sc
sretly execrating their length and
steepness, and walked i'll upon the Mr..
Tinto, lust as the latter was eating his
modest lunch Of bread and cheese and
old ale, at an antique table, which also
contained a skull, two manikins, and a
plaster cast OF Apollo, minus one arm.
1--we taken fancy to your painting OF
'On the Juniata," said the Captain-"at
the Genuhex, you know"
Much obliged, I'm sure! said Mr..
Tinto. wiping the froth of the beer
from his fiery red mustache; but sold
'.It's quite a settled thing. then ?" said
Captain Terebiath, with his lower jaw