The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-09-08

Fleming"
1.-The deuce you have! Well, then let's
hear what you have to say when tell
you the lady l have in my eye for my
future niece, is the most beautiful, cul-
tured, refined girl, who ever flashed into
New York society. She's rich, too, and
just the very daisy for you. A music
teacher, indeed, when Beatrice Lovett is
to be had for the asking"
(which doesn't raise her in my esti-
nation" Fred avowed, serenely.
"What!' Mr.. Templeton said, sternly,
Fred, you're an-a-an asst
And then Fred laughed, which had
most exasperatiAg effect upon the old
gentleman.
II say you shall marry her, and l
want you to put on your hat and go with
me at once and be introduced to her.
She's staying at Mrs. Saxony's. Come
a lg sir"
Fred rose promptly.
Certainly; I'll go and be presented to
her and dare say there will be no rea-
son why shall not admire her immense.
ly, But as for falling in love with Miss
Lovett-'
He laughed and shrugged his broad
shoulders, and then put on his WIDE
brimmed Panama and went out with Mr..
Templeton to meet the young lady in
tended for his destiny.
1t was beautiful little villa, nearer
the bluff than Mr.. Templeton's stately
mansion a little back from the bay, and it
made a very pretty picture with its white
lace draperies floating in the stiff sea-
breeze, and the spray from the fountains
blowing in rainbow shower, and the
CAV striped awnings fiuttering their
scalloped borders in the bright July sun
shine.
The liveried footman bowed his best,
and regretted to be obliged to inform
the gentlemen that Mrs. Saxony was
not in. A swift look OF dismay on Mr..
Templeton's face perhaps touched that
functionary's tender heart, and lie hast
ened to assure them that "Miss Lovett
was in the drawing they
walk in?'
But that Mr.. Templeton declined do
| ing, as he was not personally acquainted
with Miss Lovett; at least, not sufficient
ly acquainted with her to present him
self. He had known her when she was
girl Of ten, and had always been her
fathers most cherished friend, and had
been in correspondence with Mr.. Lovett
when he died so suddenly out in India;
but all the same, with ali old bachelors
characteristic shrinking from pretty
young girls. he declined the invita-
ton until Mrs. Saxony should be at
home.
It's too bad-too everlastingly bad" he
said, as they went through the beautiful
little park, into which carriages were not
| Il 1ol ca
he recognized afterwards as Fate, Mr..
Templeton paused midway down the
path, and turned to look back at the
house.
"By Jove There she is at the window
Miss Lovett! Isn't she a beauty?
Isn't she sweet enough to turn any fell
low opsy-turvy? Look, Fred-there's
the wife I've picked ont for you! Can
your music teacher beat that?"
And Mr.. Templeton seized his UNI
offending nephew by the sleeve, and ges-
ticulated emphatically toward the open
window where young girl sat, beau
tiful indeed-marvelously beautiful! fair
and dainty with dark, lustrous hair,
braided on a proud little head, and
straight, heavy dark brows, that made
the purity of her complexion still more
dazzling. A rosebud of a mouth,
round. handsomely chiseled chin,
white dress, with creamy lace and pink
rose at the throat, made picture fair
enough to have turned any mans senses
''topsy-turvy."
She did not raise her eyes from her
book, and she was perfectly unconscious
OF their espionage, or of Fred Warning
| tons transfixed gaze.
80 you're struck, ELI? So you'll give
the old man credit for having good
taste, will you? You wouldn't mind
having her for your wife after all, l sup
pose?"
Fred drew long breath, and then
quickly linked his arm in Mr.. Temple
tons, and drew him away.
''She is the sweetest, most beautiful
girl l ever saw, and I'll marry her
tomorrow, if she'll have me-" he said.
And how the old gentleman laughed,
and poked him facetiously between the
ribs, when they we're in the carriage!
"Muslc teacher notwithstanding, eh?"
And then Fred laughed, and Mr.. TEN
pleton decided not to he too sarcastic on
the poor boy.
While ut the same moment q tall,
lovely girl, several years older than the
fairy in white by the window in Mrs.
Saxony's drawing room, entered and
! went mn tn her