The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-03-24
young lady just coming through the gate
l. r. IS

Help was near, and with very little de-
lay the unfortunate Talbot was safely
ensconced between the two white sheets
in the good housewives spare bed.
His senses came back to him at last,
and his first words were:
"What tremendous hill?"
Then he bethought him of his errand;
and startled the young lady in attendance
by asking, abruptly:
"What would you do to young lady,
if she stole your diamonds from your"
"Never having been the owner of dia-
monds, cannot say" replied the young
lady; "but believe I should, first of all,
get the diamonds"
"Zounds!" exclaimed Talbot. "And
that's just what will do. By the way,
do you know a person named Maggie
Osborne9"
81 do"
els it possible?" exclaimed Mr.. Talbot,
as though it were the strangest thing in
the world. well, you are the first one.
If I've asked one, have hundred, and
nobody knew the little thief"
'"The what, sir?'
''rhief She stole the Talbot diamonds,
and I'm after her!'
"Why why! am astonished! knew
Maggie had a very taking way, but l
never supposed she would go so far as
that"
"Nor nobody else," grumbled Talbot.
''There's my boy John, won't believe a
word of it, He's after her"
"Two after her? Poor Maggie. She'll
be caught surelyr'
"No, no, no." interrupted Talbot,
mot about the diamonds; but he wants
her for wife,
ooh, that's funny. now-isn't it? Of
course you'll not allow it,
"Just let him try it!' replied Talbot,
with meaning smile.
mo, 1 knew you wouldn't. It would
be scandalous. But you probably would
not care so much if she hadn't stole your
diamonds? Maggie is quite a nice girl
they say"
"Well, no. John has always been a
good boy, and if he really liked good
respectable girl, and wanted to marry
her, 1 don't know as should say much
against it, But such q creature! Bah!
Johns fool"
Chow curious. But if she proves her
innocence. For instance, if you should
learn that she had not touched your dia-
monds at all and your son still wanted to
marry her, you would not object. OF
course you wouldn't"
"No, 1 wouldn't" replied Talbot-at
the same time he was thinking, "I'll be
safe enough of her guilt. And I guess
I'll promise further, for 1 really like
this girl. 1t won't do any harm, any
way, to give her good opinion of me"
"No, wouldn't object" he repeated;
"and more than that, would give them
a good setting up in life. Tim able, and
1 would do it."
''Thank you, father" were the words
that came in answer to his; and, looking
toward the door, he saw John standing
there. II overheard your promise,
father" continued John, land I think I
shall be safe enough to set the wedding
just a month hence"
"Humph! Don't count your chicks too
soon. That Maggie Osborne never will
be your wife"
mot until she, or some one else,
proves her innocence"
you'll be in your grave long before
that, boy"
my demise will be speedy, then. said
John taking something from his pocket.
"See the proofs!'
"What. Mercy! What is that?"
"The Talbot diamonds, father"
Hanged if you aren't right" ex-
claimed Pa Talbot. where did you
get them?"
"After getting the diamonds from Mr..
Sanborn's, You changed coats, and left
the gems in one of the pockets.
"Confound my carelessness"
Its an i'll wind - You know the
rest, father 4 shall hereafter prize the
Talbot diamonds for all they are worth.
Your promise -"
''Promisel 1 was only joking, boy.
I never meant you should marry that
Osborne girl. Hou didn't think l was
in earnest?"
Really, 1 thought of but little else
but the promise. That holds good
yet, from the fact that we have
witness to it. Don't you think so,
Maggie?"
Maggie! Not Maggie Osborne?" ask
ed the old gentleman, scrutinizing the
young lady, who was blushlng and smil-
ing very prettily.
Miss Maggie Osborne, father"
'Drat me for fool" growled Pa Tai
bot. I'm ablundering fool and u block
head. and blind as bat! don't deserve
Al Il