The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-06-08
THE FIRST AND THE LAST OF HER.

They were all enjoying the breeze that
swept through the wide parlors that
summer evening. it had been so hot OF
late. The month of May, the place was
Philadelphia, and-I am almost afraid to
say this-it was the Centennial time.
But don't be alarmed, my reader; am
not going to describe the Great EXPOSE
ton, nor tell anything about it, nor
shall 1 give any information concerning
'76 of either this or the last century. /
only intend to relate an incident that
happened to take place then and there.
The people enjoying the breeze were q
family by the name of Fenton, and con-
sisted of father and mother, two grown
up daughters, one grown up son and a
little girl.
Mrs. Fenton had just been saying that
she supposed they would soon be over
run with visitors coming to spend q few
DAYS and see the Centennial.
'Well, let them Gomez said Mr.. Fen
ton, heartily, as he turned his paper
inside out. st don't know one that l
wouldn't be glad to see."
''Nor l." returned Mrs. Fenton. 81
am always so thankful that we needn't
be ashamed of any of our relations.
There's sister Kate!-who could be more
delightful than she is?"
"Oh, Aunt Kate is perfectly splendedr y
chorused the young PEG pie.
"And there's Uncle Phil and Aunt
Emily" said Mabel, the eldest girl.
"And Cousin Joe and his wife" added
Florence, the second daughter.
And John and his family" put II
Mr.. Fenton.
'Ohl if you go counting up. you'll
never get through" said Tom, the sol
and heir. But 1 sayl haven't ne Any
Objectionable connections az all. Isaf
there some old duffer who viii turn II
at the wrong momentz
81 haven't any" said Mr.. Fenton-
s'No-o-o," said Mrs. Fenton, rzbblnl
her forehead thoughtfully. Stop
think l remember one. OF co1r-e-
Cousin Jerusha / wonder / dli1f
think before. But don know that she
is Objectionable; the fact is, i don't know
anything about her. She's lived WAY
up in Vermont all her life. She l. !
niece of grandfather's, and ia an old
maid; at least she ought to be If she ISM
married or dead. Her name il Heying
ton-Jerusha Hevington. / Away
thought it such pity to spoil such fins
name as Hevington with Jerusha.
hope she won't come; I'm sure she mus
be perfectly awful !"
The two young ladies' had been look
ing at their mother in blank silence evel
since she had mentioned this unpleasant
relation; Tom lad gone off in fit o
laughter; so that Mr.. Fenton was tn,
only one who spoke:
We'll, If she comes, all We can do il
TO make the best of it, and treat her a.
we'll as we know how"
"Oh, of course" said Mrs. Fenton.
Tom here looked at his watch, ani
started mp, exclaiming that he should b.
late, he had an appointment, and boltet
OF, promising to be home early. Thel
Mr.. Fenton settled down for nap; Mrs
Fenton buried herself in Lorna Doone
and the girls yawned over their Japanes'
canvas, fearing dull evening.
The air gently futtered the lace cur
tains, the mellow light shone down from
the many-gIobed chandelier upon tn
fresh white mating, the linen-drape'
furniture, the pictures and statuettes
the three ladies in their pretty evening
dresses, and the old gentleman snorin
away behind his newspaper; all was q
quiet as quiet conld be, when a violen
peal at the door-bell made them all nearl
Jump out of their skins.
Who ON earth is that ?" asked Nj
Fenton, bouncing up.
Mrs. Fenton dropped her book an
gave . scared look into the hall.
II suppose it's Mr.. vanderpool, I" sal
Mabel.
'.Oh no, he never rings like that. " sal
Florence.
Their old colored waiter had opene
the door by this time, and loud voic
was heard inquiring, docs Mr.. Fento
Mr.. Samuel Fenton-live here?"
Yes, m an, he Does" old James an
swered respectfully
"Wa'al, hen, guess III walk RICH
in; I seen the folks through the winder;
and apparently before the old servan
stopped her, the owner Of the voice di
walk right into" the parlor - tall
strong featured woman, with iron-gra
hair, IN beautifully lowered dress tina
: bu1xing hoop-skirt showed TO Advan
taeo. nd shavlof vivid rcd and ysllo'
pISik A bonnst Of the shape calls
poks - a hsr hend, and fron
danelsd thick vsil. 6hs vors gss