The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-03-16


winning ways were for these. SWARM
| ing round-like flies about a honey-pot!
| Seeming, I daresay, a fat jointure. All
| widows are supposed to be rich, and Just
because she is q widow, and for no other
reason, making mp to her, the fools!'
| This to himself with o cynical chuckle.
Aloud: "Nice little woman, sir, that
niece of mine. Plenty of good looks,
but hasn't sixpence-not sixpence to
bless herself with"
1t was wonderful how the old house
was frightened up by the presence of its
blithe Young inmate. But by no one
was its pleasant influence more felt than
by the domestics, who had vowed such
| hostility before her arrival. The old
woman especially was devoted to her;
| loving her for her own sake as we'll as
for the kindly help and good offices she
was always receiving from the deft and
willing hands of the young girl In the
storeroom-that sacred retreat which her
foot was never to invade-the latter was
to be found on company days." busy
aud happy as bee; with sleeves tucked
half way up her plump arms, her heavy
Grape skirts slowed away under one of
the old lady's capacious Holland aprons,
and lappets pinned high over her head,
while laughing merrily at the queer
figure she made of herself, she worked
way at the cakes and sweets,
taking world of trouble off the poor
housekeeper's hands.
"And so thoughtful is she, and gay;
bless her." his wife would tell old John.
"Now, do as you're bid" she'll say play
fully, forcing me down into my big chair.
''Sit down and rest, that's an old dear.
and take your tea. I'm not going to let
you do turn more" And then she'll
work away, her tongue going all the
time as fast as her fingers; running on
about her mother and her home, her
flowers and pets, dogs and birds, and
what not, but never word about hus-
band or married days. And if touch
upon them or ask a question she II get
quite silent and strange-like in minute,
and turn off the subject as if it burned
her. Perhaps for all she's so merry on
the outside she's fretting for him that's
gone, and can't bear to talk of him. >
Nothing of that sort" cried old John.
Don't you go to think such stuff. She'd
take a husband tomorrow, mark my
works. And it's my opinion there's
young gentleman comes to this house
that has a fairish chance. He's desperate
sweet on her. l haven't eyes in my
head for nothing, and 1 see plain she
doesn't dislike him. or hold herself up
distant from him as she does from
Others"
Old John was right. Matters were in
due time so satisfactorily settled between
the young couple that an appeal to the
uncle was deemed expedient. The old
gentleman received the announcement
with a half pleased, half satirical
grimace.
'Ha, thought so ~ he muttered.
but are you aware, my friend, that
there is no money in the case? The
lady hasn't a six-pence, and"
II know it," Indignantly interrupted
the suffer. You have made that re-
mark before. want no fortune with
my wife, my own being my love"
"Oh, spare your raptures, young sir.
Not so fast. Don't be too sure of the
prize; for when you hear what l have
told you, there may be perhaps change
in your views. l have no time to go into
the matter now; come tomorrow and
hear what will surprise you;" and the
old gentleman went off, nodding back
manevolently, the lover fancied-over
his shoulder, and leaving the poor fell
low in state of uncomfortable suspense
and uncertainty.
What could this dark hint mean and
why was he not to make sure ? Could
it be possible there was any doubt, any
mystery as to the demise of the beloved
ones husband? He could not help call
ing to mind her confused and singular
manner at times; a certain want of frank
ness; an evident embarrassment at any
illusion to the past. The possibility of
an obstacle made the young man realize
as he had not before done, how deeply
his affections were engaged. He spent
a miserable night, awaiting in vain con-
lectures and sleepless anxiety the tidings
which the morrow might bring forth.
In order to explain matters it will be
necessary to go back for some months
previous to the arrival of the young lady
at her uncle's house; as we'll as to
change .he scene from it to country
cottage in remote part of England
the home of the widowed sister of the
eccentric bachelor. In it we find HIM
pacing up and down the drawing-room
and listening to the querulous COM
plants that its occupant, a confirmed
invalid, is uttering from the sofa on
which she lies. 81 think but little Of
my bodily sufferings," she is saying;
they cannot now last long. Every day
/ feel more plainly that the end is not
"a. .<s<T L. Al l.