The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-11-01
AN IDLE WORD.

Every we'll, believe what you choose,
shall never tell you love you again,
If you go down on your knees and beg
for it,"
A pale, stern-faced, somewhat elderly
man, with threads of silver cleaning in
his brown curls, doubtful, hesitant,
half-sarcastic mouth, beneath the nut
brown mustache, sad eyes, istless and
wholly weary in their expression; and
the world.worn attitude of one who &C
cepts all that comes, never surprised.
Andrew Carleton raised his eyes to the
stormy flushed face opposite. They
softened in that look as no other mortal
woman could cause them to, but Lucie
was too angry to notice it.
A round faced apple checked morsel OF
vomanhood, with brown silken hair,
tender, earnest eyes, and q ripe, glowing
mouth, like strawberry. For six
months she had worn this misanthropi-
cal, gloomy mans betrothal ring, and
given to his life brighter tint than it
had ever worn.
As directly opposite IS the antipodes,
the two in character and disposition, and
yet together they were very happy.
There was something 50 vivacious and
uOPc1uls ~ Suhuy 0A0 nAOStiOaoeSAy
frank about his fancee, that Andrew
Carleton's saddened, suspicious heart so
deeply wounded years before. by an un
worthy woman that he had truly loved,
beat high with an ardor and Joy that
surprised him.
He was trying; he reasoned with him
self despalringly as he went out. with a
detected, crushing air that cut Lucle to
the innermost depths of her loving
heart. First, only for a moment, he
came and stood beside her.
Bear with me-" he said slowly, II
told you what was in the beginning"
and then he went out and closed the
door.
Poor Lucie. Her tears fell fast. 81
have tried" she sobbed, IAN I to
blame?" Her thoughts went fast over
the past few weeks. True, she had grown
up here where she was petted and be-
loved of many. Her merry chatter, her
social outspoken courtesy to her old
playmates was as natural as the breath
she drew. For her life she could not
help dimpling and smiling for all.
There was Arnold Holmes, betrothed,
it was true, to her dearest friend, who
was lounging in low chair, and chat
ting over paper of caramels, when
Andrew came in, with all the freedom
of an old friend. There was brown.
eyed Nick Hazelton, who had drawn her
to school on his sled years since. and
shared his apples and sleigh rides with
her oil her life. There WAS host of COL
lege boys who always bowed, and
laughed, and Familiarity shouted from
immediate hooks when she walked down
to the dusty little postoftice in their
dimlnutive village. There was hand
some young Doctor COPYRIGHT, who
never failed to smile and say, How are
you, Luz" when they met.
In vain Lucie had explained to Andrew
Just how it was. His brow would grow
stormy and dark. his heart would sink,
and he would repeat the doubtful, half
suspicious. wholly unjust words, Il don't
believe, Lucie, that you love me"
Hot words rarely sprang TO Lucie's
lips at this; at least, they found no utter
ance, though quick, stormy, impetuous
temper, prone to fash out and vent itself
in passionate sayings, was, as is common,
the almost invsriable accompanying trait
Of a rarely sweet and tender, loving and
faithful heart, and q clinging, sensitive
spirit.
How patient she Was, had been, here
of late. since she had grown to pity the
dark spirit that held possession of her
promised husband! At first she had tor.
iured him with her merry capricious
ness, but when at last she saw how he
really suffered, tender womsnhood tri-
umphed. She sought by every loving
vile to Danish his gloom, to let the sun
shine of her affection in upon bis sad.
dened soul.
She conquered. There were times
when he would hold her passionately to
his breast and rain tempestuous kisses
upon her face. "Oh, my little love-" he
would cry, my good angel. love you
%. Tell me again that, gloomy, old,
merose and unworthy - am, you do
love me. Toll me. my precious, precious
darling"
And Lucis would tell him. There
were hours vhen he would come close to
her side, and plead "Hold my head little
enc. Let me read your pure eyes. Kiss
me Of your own free-will. Oh, Lucie,
you have made heaven in my heart, for
you have given to me my lost faith in hu-
nanity-in woman"
Coy, laughing. vivacious Lucis, who
lad all her happy life been care free,
heart whole, would look down into the
the Swallowed eyes. only . great longing
70 comfort this vorld-tossed spirit pos
sessing her. Every atom of shyness. all
dimdence and tremor, every trace of de-
sire to bewilder him with contradictory
villfulneas- would be forgotten. Her