The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-08-17
MRS. CRAIK's GHOST.

hedulng, looklnS up irou tHe oooh Vi
travels that had engrossed his attention
for the last half hour, to see his pretty
sister Susie standing by the window
with her round cheeks flushed, and her
bright eyes sparkling with Indignation.
"Why, it's burning shame the way
Mrs. Craik is treating that poor girl!
Just see little Katie Ellis Juggling that
great load to the barn to feed the calves,
and she is such frail. tender little
thing, and was so tenderly taken care of
until Mr.. Ran! ali died. Now she is kept
drudging in the kitchen from morning
to night, and Mrs. Craik has stopped her
music lessons, and has told her that she
cannot go to school any more. She is
abundantiy able to hire man, but in
stead of that, all the rough, outdoor
work is put upon Katie. And she bears
it because she has no other home"
''Mrs. Craik is the new heiress over
the way, is she?" asked Rob, who had
put aside his book, and stood looking
over his sisters shoulder with q good
deal of interest at the pale, pretty girl
who was fighting her way against
strong March gale across the farm yard
of the neighboring house.
The wind was blowing her rings of
curling golden hair across her face, and
she could scarcely see to keep her foot
ing in the icy path.
Eyes, Mrs. Craik is the heiress," said
Susie, bitterly. "But she wouldn't be
if right were done. You know Mr. and
Mrs. Randall took Katie eight years ago,
when she was little thing, and they
loved her as their own. Katie has a
lovely voice and fine musical talent, and
they meant to give her musical educa-
ton. It was no secret that they intended
to provide for her as their own child, but
you know how suddenly they both died.
last summer, of the fever. Then Mrs
Craik, the grim-faced widow at the win
dow there, came on and claimed every
thing, and takes great credit to herself
because she gives Katie home, and
then puts all the farm drudgery upon
her."
"Then there was no will found?"
''No, that is the mischief of it. Mr..
Randall was such strong, healthy man.
he probably thought there was plenty OF
time; but he never knew anything after
he took the fever, and Mrs. Randall had
died two weeks before. 1t was a sad
house, and poor Katie was almost wild
with grief. But every one supposed she
would be provided for, until Mrs Craik
came on from the West and announced
herself the heir"
'Was there much property"
''There is a good farm worth six OF
seven thousand dollars, and between
two and three thousand dollars in the
bank. If she would let Katie have the
money and be contented with the farm
for herself, no one would complain.
Then Katie could go on with her music
and fit herself for teacher. But look
at her now-doomed to scrub floors and
carry swlll all her days, just for the
want of little money that is righ1tfully
hers w IL nan Rnt onr i;t,Ia ;noom ~a
will barely keep Bernie and me, with
all the help you spare us from your sal
airy. dear Bob"
Bob's face wore very serious express
sion, and he appeared to be thinking
deeply.
''This woman was Mr.. Randalls sis
ter, understand. She lived long
distance from him. wonder if she had
seen him much of late years?"
"Oh, no,not for twenty years or. more!
They were not on very good terms. But
that didn't prevent her from her coming
on and claiming all the property as soon
as she heard of his death. OF course. as
she was his own sister and only known
relative, the law gives it to her."
This conversation took place in the
little sltting-room of the Readings, the
day after Bob's arrival from the city for
months vacation. For four years he
had worked faithfully at clerkship in a
distant city, sending all he could save
from his salary to his sister, and little
brother Bonnie. who had kept on living
at the home cottage after their parents
died. Rob was a manly, generous
hearted fellow, and perfect confidence
and affecti IN existed between the sister
and brother.
"What is it, Rob? You have some
thing in your head, know. What idea
have you in mind now?"
Never mind, sis, just now. / want
to think il over little. Perhaps when
l have studied it out, shall want lit
tie help from you. 1t will never do for
me to stay here idle and useless for four
weeks, you know" he added, with q
comical twinkle in his eyes.
Very we'll, Rob. Think it over,
and if you want any help, you shall have
il.
The second night sitter this converse
ton the Widow Craik was sitting in
front of the coav fire in the room that