The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-12-29

tne tall maStS OF inc shipping tapereti
skyward.
Down the street an italian organ-man
was grinding out gay little waltz which
held Il suggestion of tears under its light
melody.
AS I paused for moment in the Gen.
ter o; the room, Lord Hadly strolled
about the corner of the house and halted
beside Arvie's hammock.
She smiled half shyly at him but look
ed away directly, and a faint rose pink
crept slowly to her brow.
My heart gave wild throb as I.watch-
ed Hadly; for, if ever saw strong and
passionate love, it was then and there in
Lord Hsdly's eyes as they dwelt upon
my sisters face.
"'Whom the gods love, die young,
little girl, he said, softly, yet much as
be might have addressed Il child: LET
us hope you may be an exception. l can
imagine nothing more cruel than that
your life, so sinless and happy, should be
ended i'll your youth"
He drew the tips of his fingers lightly
over her fair hair, anG then passed on
down the steps and across the lawn to
the street.
Arvie looked after him with strange
new sorrow, unlike anything had ever
seen before in her lovely eyes, and then
making little passionate gesture with
both hands she burst into tears.
rsn-actually ran out OF the parlor
and up to my room in order to collect
my wits. felt stunned with horror and
smazement What IL terrible thing had
come upon lis. growing so silently all
throuch the long, bright summer days !
Lord Hadly and Arvie loved each other
Il WAS sure OF it Hadly was too hon.
cradle IA nan 10 break his engagement
with Blanche !; and if he would-would
/ desire to wreck the happiness of one
sister TO make that of another? Would
Arvie herself accept such sacrifice?
1t seemed crul thing-that Arvie,
whom / had always hoped to keep from
heart-ache should have this great sorrow
come to her so young.
But at dinner she seemed 50 perfectly
natural, with her quantity saucy speeches
and merry girlish laugh at Lord Hadly's
compliments, that l began to think l
had made mistake and mentally chided
my self for being soft-headed old maid
who saw probable love affair in every
sentimental incident.
two or three weeks, and doubtless Lord
Hadly's words touching the possibility
of an early death, had made her nervous.
That WAS all assured myself, and put
the matter out OF my mind.
A fortnight later came suddenly upon
them in the parlor. Lord Hadly held
Arvie ciasped in his arms and was kiss
ing her swiftly and passionately on hair,
forehead, cheeks and lips, while the girl.
with bushes, and softly stammered re-
monstrances, WAS endeavorlng to free
herself from his embrace.
Ny face must have expressed my hor-
ror.
Arvie, looking up, saw me, and uttered
low cry. Lord Hadly's arms dropped
by his side, and my sister ran swiftly
from the room. I never saw her again
alive.
stayed to hear Hadlys confession
how Arvie's fresh girlish beauty had won
him from his allegiance to Blanche; how
he had fought desperately against the
change, but in vain.
He was very humble. He said he had
held himself to be an honorable man, but
he had overrated his own strength; he
could no more have resisted the tempta-
ton 10 take Arvie once into his arms and
kiss her sweet little face, than he could
have arrested the course of a tornado.
He would tell Blanche, and go away.
He made no attempt to defend himself.
He seemed utterly BUNDLED and
broken.
left him, for / wished to talk with
Arvie; but 1 could not find her. She was
neither in the house nor about the
grounds.
Toward night they brought her up
from the shore-my darling little sister!
Wet, and white, and still, with a beauti-
full, solemn smile on the fair young face
that would flush no more beneath low
er's caresses.
Some bathers had found her not far
from the shore; there were none to say
whether it was an accident or-suicide.
Hadly was quite beside himself. He
cried like a child, and nearly tainted
away at the sight of Arvie's still, white
face. OF course the truth came ont then,
and to my surprise, Blanche took it very
quietly. We were all calmer than Hadly.
Our terrible bereavement was so strange
and sudden that we were q uiet from very
dumb dismay at first. Tears, blessed
relief, came later.
Lord Hadly went away, with one little
silken curl, which | cut from our dar-
linp's head for him next his heart