The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-03-03
You saw, who couldn't bear disappoint-

ucut III love.
II doubt it," was the gallant reply.
doubt it! Wasn't he my masters
son, Mr.. Harry, Miss Mattie's brother
and Miss Amy's lover. He was to be
sure, as wild as a young colt, always up
to some frolic; and still, for all his wild
ways every one liked him. Whenever the
players came to town, you'd think he
was out of his senses for joy. Now, the
master was always hard upon the players
calling them a pack of idle vagabonds
and the like; and it didn't mend matters
when he found out that Mr.. Harry went
on the stage one night, dressed like an
old witch. He's disgraced himself and
us, says he. and with my consent he
shall never marry Amy Bradley and
Miss Amy, who is the masters ward,
though she loved Mr.. Harry in her heart
said much the same thing, that she never
would marry a man she couldn't be
proud of; so, to make long story short,
Mr.. Harry ran away. This night, five
years ago, was the last time we saw him;
but can't help thinking he'd come
back and make all the poor hearts that
love him happy.
"He became player, I dare say" the
SoIScnut SHlu, JucU tAo AAHu VI tAo I"
good-for. nothing like him would fancy.
And yet he might turn up one of these
fine days as rich as the great actor War
den, who is to play here tomorrow
night, so the bills say"
"For Miss Amy's sake, if for nothing
else, I'd be glad if he d come back as poor
as he went. I think it's killing her to
have him away so long. She could be
married since, if she liked, and to rich
man, too; but she loves him 700 we'll to
marry any one else. Why, if you could
only see her when a person speaks of
him, the way her face lights up, and the
soft, bright light that comes into her
sweet eyes-but there's the mistress call
ing me-"
"Stay, Nancy exclaimed the sergeant;
but Nancy had already left the room.
He went after her, returning soon, how
ever, and going over to the fire he stood
where Amy Bradley had stood, saying
often to himself, as if the words pleased
him, Happy Mr.. Harry! Happy Mr.
Harry
lie resumed his seat as the knocker
sounded at the hall door, and shortly
after John Edgeworth ushered into the
room two persons, one evidently from
his appearance q clergyman, the other
All old, sharp featured, stony eyed little
man, whom the sergeant surmised to be
the bridegroom. The cause of the sol
dier's presence being explained to him
by John Edgeworth, old Frazer, for it
was he, in sudden fit of generosity,
threw him crown, desiring him to drink
his health with it,
The coin fell unnoticed at the SER
geant's feet, for the door was open,
and Mrs. Edgeworth entered, fol.
lowed by Amy Bradley, on whose arm
leaned, or rather chung, pretty, child
like little creature, her pale young face
impressed with the sadness of heavy
heart. She did not raise her eyes to greet
her future lord, who bobbled over to her
side, and the hand which he took lay cold
and passive in his own.
1t was a painful sight, that ill-mated
couple standing before the clergyman to
utter vows that to one, at least, must
seem o death knell. Painful indeed it
must have been to the manly heart of
the sergeant, for his cheast heaved with
suppressed emotion. He rose from his
chair, but sat down again, passing his
hands over his eyes. He saw John Edge
worths face whiten with intense agony
he saw the bowed heads of Mrs. Edge
worth and Amy Brady; he heard the
low voice of the clergyman falteringly
begin the marriage ceremony, as if he
felt that the blessing which he would in
woke would be q mockery. He saw all
this, repeat, until the clergyman, turn
ing to the poor girl, asked her I" if she
wOuld take that man there present for
her lawful husband" then springing up,
he shouted
"Never, Matte ! never, my sister ?"-
but the rest of the exclamation was lost
in the cries of Harry ~ that burst from
the lips OF the astonished women, and
the next moment they were clinging
around him, weeping, heartily enough to
be sure, but their tears were the blessed
tears Of joy.
Harry, Harry, my dear boy ?" fall
tered John Edgeworth. still half incred-
ulous.
Eyes father" returned the sergeant,
removing from his face at the same time
the beard and mustache which had dis.
figured it, ''your son, indeed, who has
returned to ask your forgiveness, to
ST atch poor Matte from a miserable
future, and if Amy loves me yet, and
won't say no, why to become her hus-
band"
And hid her blushing face on his
shoulder, Whispering
Indeed won't say no, dear Harry"
"Oh, Harry, darling, are you in
earnest" Matte cried, still clinging
around his neck. "Oh, know you are