The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-12-14

him, and he kissed me once before he
died, and SAID that had been good
girl"
And then went and left mis- money to
the refuge for Baptist widows and or
phsDsr said Mrs. Torrance. That's
cousin Shadrach all over"
she had a right to do as he pleased
with his money" said Emily, faint
glow arising to her cheeks,
"Well, it's all over and gone. There's
no use talking about it now"
And she signed softly to think how
many If life's hard angles might have
been avoided in the future, if only her
cousin Shadrach had been less interested
in the Baptist widows and orphans.
At the end of "a month Mrs. Torrance
was forced to acknowledge that Emily
board The girl had that wonder
fri magnetic power which philosophers
dub executive ability" and New Eng
land housekeepers call faculty" She
was natural cook-she did all things
without seeming to take any trouble at
all
81 don't understand it, said Mrs. Tor
rance. "a little dark, slim thing that
was always brought up to sit with her
hands folded"
And one sultry day in July, when Job
and Emily came in from strawberrying
With crimsoned fingers, laughing faces.
and baskets heaped high with the fra
grant fruit. Mrs. Torrance started in the
solitude of her dairy, where she was
making cottage cheese"
II declare" she cried, 81 wonder l
never thought of that before. Oh, dearl
oh dear! I never eau consent to it in the
living world"
Job came to her the same evening.
Mother" said he, EMILY has prom
ised to be my wife,"
Mrs Torrance burst into tears.
"You are only 26 years old, job" she
fsltered.
Just two years older than when my
father married you, mother. Now-don't
turn your face away; but tell me plainly
have you any fault to find with my
choice?"
Mono" confessed Mrs. Torrance.
"Do you think could possibly win
sweeter girl than Emily Alden?"
mo, l don't suppose you could, an
swered the mother-in-law elect; "but
it's natural, Bob, to feel little jealous
when you see some one else taking the
first place in your child's heart"
But when Bob brought Emily in to re
ceive her kiss OF greeting, Mrs. Torrance
had sufficiently conquered herself to bid
her new daughter welcome.
Though Supposed, Emily" said she
a little bitterly, "that you looked higher
than farmer once
Il never looked higher than one of
natures noblemen," said Emily with
smile that fairly won the old lady's
heart.
That same evening, as they all sat to-
gether in the orange twilight, with the
suddenly broke the silence.
sob, said she, would you like to be
rich?"
"well, yes." said Job, 81 Id like
money enough to keep my wife in
luxury"
"Would you, Aunt Dorcas?" said
Emily, turning to Mrs. Torrance.
"Of course l should, said the matron,
vigorously plying her knitting needles;
"but don't ever expect it"
But you are rich" said Emily, with
little tremor in her voice. Sob is
rich-we are al. rich together, with
Shadrach Seeley's money.
But" cried Mrs. Dorance. 81 thought
he left it all to the Baptist widows and
orphans"
mot all" said Emily. Its secret,
but l may tell you now. Half was left
to the Refuge-the other $50, 900 is mine,
to be paid over to me on the day on
which marry a man who, ignorant of
Cousin Shadrach's bequest, has loved
me loyalty and we'll. 1t was the old
mans within, and I have respected it.
Oh? Aunt Dorcas,I came to you because
in my loneliness and bewilderment
knew not where else to go-but little
dreamed that l was entering directly
into the kingdom of noble heart" 1t
was true. Shadrach Seeley, eccentric in
life, had been equally eccen ric in his
death, and when Mr.. Mustybill the law
yer, paid over the legacy, he said chuck
ling:
at is all right It's exactly as my
poor client would have it. l congratu-
late you, Mrs. Job Torrance.
And Mrs. Torrance, the elder. has a
higher opinion than ever Of her dsugh-
term laws attractions, now that they are
in background OF gold.