The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-06-08

cit brings us bread, Selma" said the
aunt, 'and your father will expect you
to take an interest in his work and to
help him, I can tell you," she added /;
"though he'll claim more from you for
his hobbies and his pets, and such use
less trash"
"And so you're Selma" cried a thin,
cracked voice, in the hall of low, dark
house into which they we're ushered.
"Ah! you've got Maggie's eyes. Poor
Maggie! There, there, don't smother
me! We shall have plenty of time to get
to know each other"
And as that life began, SO it went on
all through that awful winter. The old
lady and gentleman received no visitors,
they had dropped most of the amenities
of life, and they were waited on by faith
full servants after their own heart. Mr..
Payne's duties lay among dangerous
gases and acids; his recreation consisted
of the study and domestication of living
snakes and nevis and frogs, and
the dissection of dead specimens
delights which he cordially invited his
daughter tc share. As for Miss Selma,
she always gave grunt when letters
came from the Misses KniehtleJ, and
when Josephine threw out hints that she
would like them to receive some sub
stantial yet graceful recognition of their
goodness to her Miss Selma CURLY re-
piled that she had no doubt they paid
themselves in one way and another.
AMI this was the fulfllment of the
dream for which Josephine had often
turned away from the sweet realities of
her old life at the Corner House There
was nothing shameful in it; on the con-
trary, it had credit and honor, for the
poor girl saw from newspaper and GER
tificate how high her father stood in the
estimate of his scientific brethren. And
she would inherit a considerable fortune,
too. She was assured of that. Yet jose
phine's head was sick and her whole
heart faint.
The crisis came one day, when, rising
from dutiful but nausesting endeavor
to mount specimen for her father, she
fancied she heard familiar voice in the
hall. What could have brought Philip
Harvey there, and what sort of reception
would he get from Aunt Selma? Hasten
ing from the study, she met that lady re-
turning from the front door with salts
fed smile on her lips.
"Who has been here ?" asked the
neice, with sinking heart.
"Some young whipper snapper, want
ing to see you," returned Aunt Selma.
"A Mr.. Harvey. We don't want any of
that sort here. Those fellows who live
by their wits are always very sharp after
fortunes"
As her aunt spoke Josephine felt the
low dismal hall reel round her. until it
seemed as if frayed brown oilcloth rose
mp and smote her ON the face-and she
had tainted.
It was summer once more, and the old
again rich in coler and sweetness. A
carriage stands at the gate. Halt an
hour ago it brought up three people-in
few minutes it will carry away only
two.
A group Of Ave advance from the lit
| tie arbor. There are the two Misses
Knightley and Josephine. How pale
and thin she looks; and how like con-
valescent breathing fresh air and sun
shine after months of fevered confine.
ment and yet Josephine has never been,
as her Aunt Selma says, really i'll. 1"
Ana there ID Aunt Selma HERSELF auu uf'
Payne.
''Yes, ladies'" says the old gentleman,
81 know it's all right. What can the
girl want, says my sister, more than to
have us always, and to see the Misses
Knightley every now and then +? Say l.
Selma, maybe the right chemical combi-
nation would be- for her to have the
Misses Knightley always, and see us now
and then. just by the way of renewed ex-
pertinent to prove it would not do You
needn't defend yourself, child; know
you did your best. Selma are you ready ?
Well, child, il ever you hear of any
curious speoimens-you remember that
rare toad 1 was always looking out for
let me know. Good-by."
Josephine" whispered Miss Eliza.
beth, as the three turned back to the old
house, 81 have asked Mr.. Harvey to come
up and spend this evening with us-1
did not think you would object.
Why, Margaret, the roses on her cheeks
are beginning to bloom again already y
And Josephine dreamed no more OF
grandeur and broken hearts.