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

ye8rn aIter the unknown klnureu VINO
must be somewhere in the world. 1t was
only unfortunate she began to feel that
the two dear old maiden ladies were not
really her aunts, and this alone accounted
for any rebellious feelings that would
arise when the wise restrictions and
counsels of age occasionally crossed the
whims and impulses of youth.
There was nothing bitter or scornful
in Josephine's dreams. How could
there be in one so sweetly reared? Only
she fancied unimaginable warmth in the
kindred ties that might at any moment
close around her and carry her off-the
Misses Knightley would never wish to
keep her, and she would fulfill all the
pet wishes of those dear old hearts.
They should have the new Turkey car
pets they sometimes talked about, and
the Knightley jewels should be reset.
But it came to pass that one morning
when she was standing by the arbor, just
as she had stood in the picture, car
riage drove up to the gate-at least it
was not carriage, but u cab; and out of
this cab stepped an elderly lady with
lean, dark face ,muffled in rich but rather
rusty black lace. She paid the cabman,
and fingered for moment at the gate,
looking to the right and to the left.
Then she advanced up the straight, CEN
ter walk toward the arbor. She was no.
body whom Josephine had ever seen be-
fore-a sour, common-place-looking
person who eyed her with great curl
osity.
"This is Miss Knightley's house?" she
asked abruptly, when she was within
oooo &iu0 Iiotonco
Eyes, madam, it is, answered Joseph
inc.
The lady came step nearer, and
looked at her shrewdly. "And you are
a Miss March, she said," and your por.
trait is in = gallery. Have they they been
Josephine flushed hotly. They
have been my truest, kindest friends"
she said warmly. "But for whom"
"There, there, child" interrupted the
stranger, "don't go into heroics. I
want to see them. Take me to them"
Josephine obeyed. She led the
stranger to the prim little drawing
room, and babe maid send the Misses
Knightley to her Immediately. Then
she returned to the arbor. Her heart
beat fast with uneasy fears. No, no, it
could not be; it was foolish to imagine
it. This was somebody from the coun-
try town, probably begging on behalf of
some institution.
Presently there was light step on the
gravel walk beside her. 1t was only
Miss Elizabeth; but her face was pale,
and her eyes fearful. Josephine's heart
stood still.
"Chiid," said the old lady iendelly,
lit is comfort to think we shall not
suffer in losing you. We often felt
that you must long for your own
people. We think that they are found
now"
"That is not-not my mother, "gasped
Josephine.
mother died when you we're born, sweet
one, and that poor outcast of the gyp-
sizes camp stole you from the woman
W tn whom you were placed OF nurse. 1t
was that pretty portrait which did it
ALL" cried she old lady, bursting into
tears. "Your relations saw it, and
thought that nobody but their own lost
daughter could be so like your dead
mother. And so they found out who
you were, and all your story. This lady
is your sunt-your fathers sister,"
"And my father?" gasped Josephine
again.
us q learned and distinguished cd
gentleman with whom she lives in pro-
found retirement about 100 miles from
hole" returned Miss Elizabeth with
heroic truthfulness. "Come into the
house, child, and see your mothers min
iature, and hear all your aunt has to
say"
How different it was from Josephine's
dream. Yet her courage somewhat re-
vived at the thought of the learned old
gentleman and his scholarly seclusion.
Only her new aunt, her real aunt
damped it again. She was SO ugly, 80
. business like. She did not want to lay
surreptitious claim to Josephine's affec-
tons. She did not want to carry her of.
A lawyer would wait on the Misses
Knightley and 60 into every detail of the
matter, before they would be expected to
resign their charge. Then she would re-
turn for her. Her name was Payne
Miss Selma Psyne-and her niece had
been christened after her.
$50 you're Selma Payne, too?" she
said, looking at Josephine March; land
expect you will be very thankful to
have . name that really belongs to
you"
Josephine had just one more week in
the old Corner House, and sad and try.
ing week il was.
AZ for the Misses Knightley. they