The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-10-12

in the sitting room, where we will leave
them for a timesthat Maze may tell him
of the battle she had fought esrly in the
evening.
Though Maze called the Judge and
Mrs. Rainor uncle and aunt, there was
in reality no relationship existing be-
tween them. When she was scarcely six
years old her parents died, and, by
some Encouragement, during the last
year of his life her father lost his fur
tune. Judge Rainor had always been
his firm friend, and when, upon his
death-bed he asked him to take her and
care for her as his own, for the sake of
the friendship that had always existed
between them, he readily consented.
"God will reward you," said the
dying man.
81 ask no reward, Cranston. 1 will
do it for the love 1 bear you. I will be
father to her."
81 cannot speak my thanks, but mark
my words, God will reward you"
That was fifteen years ago. He had
often thought of the dying mans proph-
ecy, and considered it fulfilled, for Maze
had always been faithful and given them
daughters love, and frequently he was
heard to say that if Fred, his only son,
were half so dutiful or loving, his cup OF
joy would be full to overlooking. But
of late Fred had been leading so wild a
life that they feared he would not only
bring disgrace upon them, but would
soon 20 lost to them forever. His
mother grew thin and pale with grief,
and there was cloud of gloom hover
ing over them that only Fred could
dispel.
When Maze heard her uncle and aunt
coming, she bade Fred go to his room
for the night without seeing them, but
to be sure to inset them the next morn
ing at breakfast. After kissing her he
obeyed with joyful heart. A few
pleasant words having passed between
Mrs. Rainor and Maze in regard to the
evening that each had spent, the latter
prepared to go to her room.
Mrs. Rainor. "You are so radlantly
bea utiful tonight that it cheers me to
look at you. Are you happy?"
Eyes, indeed, auntie, and you and I'M
Gle will be, too, in the morning. I am
going to have company to breakfast, and
I want you to get good nights rest, so
you will be ready to receive my guest.
You can never guess who it is, and
won't tell you, SO good night" and be-
slowing loving kiss upon each, the
beautiful girl left them.
Bright and early the next morning
Maze was fitting back and forth from
dining-room to kitchen, and from kitchen
to dining-room, giving her orders for
breakfast, the servants all the while eye
ing her in perfect amazement, for such q
thing had never before been heard of.
81 am going to have some friends to
breakfast" she explained, land l want
things arranged according to my own
taste. | viii also wait upon the table
myself"
Fred was the first to respond to the
bell. As the judge and his wife entered
he approached them.
mother. father he said, taking .
hand of each, Through the influence of
that dear little womon," bowling his head
to Maze, II am resolved to lead better
lite. Will you take me back to your
hearts as of yore?'
Too happy to speak, his mother laid
her head upon his breast and wept. His
father walked around the table to where
Maze was standing, and taking her in his
arms, said: "God has, indeed, rewarded
me-"
Long years have passed since then,
but as Maze sits in the midst of her
grandchildren, telling them of their
grandfathers pledge. she is more beauti-
full than ever. A tear glistens in
Grandpa Fred's eyes as he produces q
small bunch of faded flowers; and the
children, guessing at the tender memo
ries they call forth, leave them alone to
live again the happy hours of their
youth, with the fixed purpose of doing