The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-06-29

but he was never loving. The words of
comfort he offered we're spoken with
averted face and choked voice., and
when she longed to lay her head upon
his breast and sob out her grief, he went
hastily away from her. 1t was no better
the next day. or the next. Others might
be blind to the change; her mother
found him even more devoted than be-
| fore, but she knew he was her lover no
| longer and all the delicate pride of her
maidenhood came to aid her in bearing
this new and cruel blow unmoved. She
loved him still, but she was not the
woman who could force her love upon
him, demand the devotion he saw fit to
withdraw, or ask for that final avowal of
love which Der mother had warned her
was impending.
The funeral over, and the first days of
grief passing away, the widow and or
phan looked the future in the face. A
thousand dollars would not support them
for lifetime; in few months, even
with close economy, they would have to
begin work, and they wisely concluded
it was better to do so at once than to
wait until driven to it by positive neces-
sity.
"We must move into smaller house."
said Maggie, land think our best plan
is to open q milllner's store. l can
make bonnets and trim hats, and You
can keep house"
1--WE need not move, dear. The house
is mine."
"I thought papa rented it,"
$50 he did, but last night MIR. Harris
k>ll ha ha1 Ia rarafva1
the deeds of the house made out in my
name, and paid for to the last cent. I
think your father must have intended
it fer surprise on my birthday, the 9th
of February.
But Wilfred Mansfield was again the
only man who knew that Mr.. Clinton
had never seen the deeds of his wife's
house.
"Can we have the front altered to a
store?" said practical Maggie.
1t was found not only practicable, but
desirable, as increasing the value of the
property, and in few weeks, quite
early enough for some of the spring
trade to fall to her share, Maggie started
in business as mllliner.
She had thought the offer of marriage
yet might come, but her last hope was
dispelled by note written to her mother
by Wilfred Mansfield. He informed
them that he had disposed of his bust
ness, and was about accept situation
in Chicago, the nature of which he did
not state. He babe them farewell, with
assurances of warnest friendship, that
was all. Gentle Mrs. Clinton but rarely
had hard thought for any one, still
more rarely spoke bitter word, but she
said:
81 suppose he thought your father was
richer man."
Maggie could not answer. The loving,
| loyal heart could not yet admit the en-
tire unworthiness of its idol. She could
| find no excuse for what seemed heartless
desertion, so she accepted her mother s
comment, and Wilfred Mansfield was
mentioned no more between them.
| Never was milliner's stere conducted
more tastefully or with more industry
than the one opened by Maggie Clinton.
The little maiden worked early and late;
bonnets of exquisite finish. hats in the
most approved fashion, adorned her
window; yet, although she had fair
share of custom, her expenses would ex-
coed her sales. She was inexperienced
in wholesale prices, in the proper selec-
ton of her goods, in the care necessary
to prevent ruinous over-stock OF old
fashioned goods, in the knack of re-
shaping and altering to more fashionable
styles. The little details of business
that can only be learned by experience
were all mysteries to her, and when win
ter came, she found the thousand dollars
had melted down to three hundred, in
spite of the economy and industry
she and her mother had carefully exer-
cised.
It was useless to think of new bust
ness. Teaching would separate them,
and Maggie was not fitted for teacher.
The exercise she commanded now did
not keep off weakness of the chest, oc.
casioned by the necessary sewing. and
the doctor had told her that teaching
would kill her in few years. Besides
what little experience of the details of
business she had gained, was in the
milliner's trade, and it was surely vast
ing time to learn something new. So
tn store was still kept open, and
the weary struggle for living main
tanned.
st. Valentines Day, so full Of bitter
memories, rose clear and bright, and
the postman tossed snowy envelope
upon the counter It was directed to
Miss Margaret Clinton, and had city
stamp.
IAN order or . BILL" she said, open