The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-02-16


Why have I never seen my parents?
Where does my mother live?"
paused for reply. The doctor
put his fnger-tips together, and replied
thus:
your father was named, like your
self, Arthur Marley. Your mother was
his lawfully welded wife, Elizabeth
now his widow. When you were five
years old your father was obliged to
leave the country. and your mother con-
fided you to our care. She has since, as
you know, amply supplied your every
want She is one of the most excellent
women 1 know. There was never blot
upon her character. She has forbidden
me to tell you where to find her."
''For some reason she hates me-" I
said.
"She loves you," he answered.
"Then why will she not see me?"
"For your own good" replied the doc
tor.
''It is mistaken idea," cried the doc
tors wife.
cat first it was. Since the thing has
gone on so long nothing can now be
done," replied the doctor. "It is your
mothers fixed determination that You
shall never see her. She has no other
child, and is not poor. Her will is made
in your favor. I have no right to tell
you MORE"
"But you," I cried, turning to Mrs.
Sartain.
"Neither have any right" said the
lady. but ! say to you, find out for
yourself. 1t is your duty. I know you
l1k L., ~ a-
I looked at the doctor. He avoided
my glance and said nothing.
But how was 1 to discover this mother
of mine, who hid herself from me, yet
who, they said, loved me?
By that Christmas tide I had fallen in
love. The object of my admiration was
a beautiful girl, of very good family. I
saw that she was not displeased, and her
father, wealthy client Of our firm, did
not object to my pretensions. In fact,
we were engaged, and my heart was fulls
of Joy. Yet with it mingled the longing
to find my mother and tell her of my
happiness. One day I told old Aunt
Betsey, who was counting my cuffs and
collars.
"Aunt Betsey," said, "perhaps shall
be married some day."
Lord bless us!'' cried Aunt Betsy
"You seem such boy"
sit will not be at once" said, "but
after I am we'll on in my profession. I
love her dearly. She is Mr.. Charles
Rushton's daughter"
"Miss Rushtoni' said Aunt Betsy. She
folded her hard little hands together and
stood looking at me. ''The very top of
the ladder" she said. Erich and stylish,
and high family, and so pretty. But
you'll have your things done in the
family then, and see no more of old
Betsy"
"I'll give you my collars while have
one left, and all my wife's ruff1es, too"
II don't want hers" said Aunt Betsy,
Grossly. "Wish you Joy, Mr.. Arthur
Marley. I'm sure it's fine match-but
her things don't care for"
"Too much trouble, I suppose" said
as the door closed.
But thought of my mother more and
more, and as that day was the one on
which drew my allowance, I went up
one more effort to move him to tell me
where to find my mother.
The doctor sat alone in his study. An
envelope lay before him. AS he saw me
he drew it towards him, took out par
eel of banknotes, and with them q letter,
which he at once returned to the enve-
lope and thrust into his vest pocket.
"a letter from my mother" I said, and
looked at the vest
1t was an ordinary black vest, but the
cut was lower than that of those he usu-
ally wore.
He paid me my allowance, said that
my mother sent her love, and had heard
of my hopes and wishes me Joy. And
after few words more I took leave of
him, but not to go directly home. I
sought Mrs. Sartain at once.
MRS Sartain," said. It is growing
very cold, and / noticed that the doctor
has low cut vest on. Get it of of him
or he may have an attack of pneumonia.
A gentleman know caught cold which
resulted in consumption in that way.
Take high vest in to him and insist on
his wearing it at once"
s'You good boy" cried the doctors
wife; show thoughtful of YOU" And
away she ran. followed.
"Only to look at this cyclopedia mo-
ment," said, and buried my face in the
book, while the lady urged the exchange
of vests, and the gentleman protested;
finally saw the treasure borne away,
and followed. Good Mrs. Sartain, little
did she guess that, as walked behind
her, l picked the pocket Of the garment
under her arm.
l had the letter, and I could scarcely