The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-06-22
HUGH EVANS ADVENTURE.
BY LUCY sHoENBURN.


blown two feet backward by the raging
blast.
"It seems to me-" he grumbles, s'that
whichever way go, from that direction
the wind begins to blow. Thank Heaven,
here's home at last!"
With feeling of great satisfaction he
reached the door of q handsome house
that stood among row of equally pre-
tegtious mansions. He fumbled in his
pocket for his night key, and after over
hauling dozen of loose papers, he sue
ceeded in finding it. He tried to lower
his umbrella.
"What's the matter with the stubborn
old machine?" he said. "This comes of
lending it to friend. I wish he had
never returned it."
The door opened, and young lady
rushed toward him.
"Oh, you've come at last!' she ex-
claimed. "Belle is almost wild because
you delayed. Why didn't you come
sooner"
'sBeg pardon" began Hugh.
"Ask your wife's pardon, not mine,
Harry! Let me take your dripping UNI
brella. The doctor has been here"
went ON the young lady, breathlesslv,
could you stay so long at the club and
leave us here alone?"
''What hypocrite pretending to cry"
said his companion.
"Where's mother?" he asked.
''Mother? Whose mother? 3aby's
motherr inquired the young lady.
"Why, up stairs, of course"
He sprang up two steps at time.
Mother" he shouted, "who's Belle?
why is the gas turned so low?"
A female figure was discernible in the
upper hall, and rs he approached it, he
was greeted by shower of tears.
go right back, dear husband, and
call DR.. Cureall. want to you hold the
poor little dear for him!" said the
sobbing female.
"Zounds! Woman, I know nothing of
you or your baby. Where's my mother,
say?"
At this moment furious ring at the
bell was heard, servant answered the
summons, and a man heavily mutfled
came busting in.
"What a nightw exclaimed the new
conner.
"My graciousl Brother Earnest~ ex-
claimed the young lady, coming for
ward. "Why, Earnest, how can you be
up stairs and down stairs at the same
time? How happens it?"
go away with your conundrums.
Don't try to be funny-Tm not in the
mood. got in the wrong car coming
home, and had to walk across town in
this dizzle. My feet are soaking. I
must have walked out of my arctics when
/ stepped off the car. Help me off with
my overcoat. How's baby, Maud?''
But Maud was already at the head of
the stairs.
Really, madame. pinch me, must
be asleep, for Eve no wife, never had Q
wife, never expect to have q wife,
whats the row." cried Earnest,
pushing past Maud. 'Is baby worse,
Belle? For Gods sake, tell mer'
"Oh, Earnestw said the weeping
female, and forthwith tainted completely
away, and would have fallen but for the
projecting arms of Hugh, which gal
1antly received the sinking form.
Doctor" exclaimed Earnest, ad-
dressing Hugh, my wife, my child!
doctor. tell me the worstp'
Water! water! Don't You see the
lady has fainted?" cried Hugh.
''Yes, doctor. Ring the bell, Maud.
No mstter-I1l run for water"
The disconsolate husband rushed pell-
NELL into the bathroom; here was water
enough, whole bath tub full; but how
to carry it to Belle? His eyes fell on q
Watering pot, and appropriating it, he
thurst the vessel in the tub and filed it.
"Quick, Earnestr' called Maud.
"Water" again shouted Hugh.
''Here's plenty" replied Earnest, try
ing to steady himself.
'sOh, Earnest, Belle will die! She
will never come to her senses--I fear
she IL breathing her lastw sighed Maud.
Belle, Belle, only livel I'll give up
the club-ITl never smoke againl Only
ivel" he prayed, as he approached his
unconscious darling. Here, doctor. /"
he continued, there's the water"
Unluckly his foot clipped. and like .
shower bathsr the contents of the inno-
cent watering pot descended on the
fated four. Belle opened her eyes -
the rsviving dslugs came and continued
70 cone.
''6hs rsvivss!" broke in the loving
husband- belle livesl "Oh, doctor.
I can brave any fate now!" and he shook
OF ths offending drops.
"Pn drownedr' vocileratsd Maud.
"What next2" demanded Hugh.
doctor, doctor. help me to carry my
dear wife into The room, and, doctor
il baby 20 much worss2" inquired the
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