The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-03-31
IN THE CLEANING.

promises much napp1neSS as tne vile OF
Godfrey Hope. Remember who and
what he is"
These were the words over which Alice
Hope rondered as she walked through
he grove at Bellows Falls. 1t was her
favorite walk when she wished for soil
tude, though it lay at some distance from
her home, the stately house that crowned
an incline stretch of ground overlooking
the village.
Remember who and what he isl Mrs.
Hope had said these words very slowly,
and with due emphasis, only few
hours before, when Alice had read to
her letter in which Godfrey Hope had
asked her to be his wife. Who was he,
them He was the second cousin of
Alice, q man about twenty-seven, who
had been brought up by his grandfather
in the house at Bellows Height, and had
supposed his inheritance of house and
furniture assured.
Alice and her widowed mother had
never entered the stately house while
old Mr.. Hope lived, but had supported
themselves by keeping a school for
young children after Alice's father had
died. 1t had never crossed their widest
Imagination that the old gentleman at
Bellows Falls would remember them by
even trifling legacy, and they were in
clined to think that they were the vic
Tins of practical Joke when they re-
ceived the lawyers letter informing them
that Alice was the sole heiress OF the en-
tire estate of John Hope, of Bellows
Falls.
It was like a dream to come to the
splendid home, to know there was to be
no more weary struggles for daily bread,
to wander through the magnificent rooms
and extensive grounds with the deli
ciously novel sensation of ownership.
And it must be confessed that Alice at
first thought little of the dispossessed
heir. But he introduced himself soon
as cousin, and visited the house as
welcome guest.
In answer to the second clause of Mrs.
Hopes question, what was hep" Alice
could have answered truthfully that he
was the most fascinating man she had
seen. And Alice Hope, though bread.
winner in the busy world, had moved in
good society, having aristocratic family
connections both on her fathers snd
mothers side.
She was no novice, to be won by q
mere courtly manner, but she had never
met a men whose intellect was so broad,
whose courtesy was so winning, whose
face was so handsome as were those of
Godfrey Hope. And yet there was a let
ter in her writing desk, written by the
man whose heiress she was, warning her
that because he is unworthy, because
he has betrayed the trust 1 placed III
him, 1 have disinherited Godfrey Hope"
There was no special charge, no direct
accusation. but the young lady was
warned against her cousin. Yet, in the
many long conversations the two had
held together, Godfrey Hope had en-
deavored to convince his fair cousin that
his grandfather had been influenced by
false friends to believe statements to his |
discredit utterly untrue He had almost |
convinced her that he was an innocent
victim to unfortunate circumstances, a
victim to the mistaken sense of honor.
She was young, naturally trustful,
and her heart was ice; SO it is not won
derful that Alice Hope was inclined to
restore the disinherited man to his estate
by accepting the offer of his heart and
hand.
Absorbed in her reflections, Alice did
not notice that clouds were gathering
until sudden summer shower broke
with violence above the tree-tops. The
rain came through the branches sud-
denly, drenching through her thin black
dress, and she ran to the nearest house
for shelter. This proved to be the cot
tage where Mrs. Mason, who did the
washing for the great house, lived with
her daughter Lizzie, one of the village
beauties. There was a great busting
about when Alice presented herself at
the door.
''Mercy sakes, you're half drowned!'
the woman exclaimed. hurrving her I'M
expected visitor to the kitchen fire.
You're wet to the skin, dearie. Now
amt it blessing there's whole wash
ing in the basket to go home? You can
go into Lizzie's room and change your
clothes. Dear; dear! Your hat is Just
ruined-crape won't bear wetting-and
you've no shawl. You must put on q
dress of Lizzie's to go home in. It's
nearly dark, anyway"
Where is Lizzie ?" Alice asked.
Sewing at Mrs. Gorham's, dearie.
She'll be coming home soon. 1 alters
make that part of the bargain, she $ to
be let home before dark, and it gets dark
before six-fall days are shorter than
summer ones. So she'll be here soon.
It's clearing up"
II ~as cloor,un un apI ~ uos o1ao