The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-11-15

urday afternoon to him. She had al
ways to take little Frankly Poole out for
long walk on that day, and she would
never consent to his being allowed to
run about wild in Kensington gardens
as Alfred Hill flor SO the smart young
man called himself suggested while she
walked about with her sweetheart.
He is such wild little fellow; no.
body knows what he might do if he had
the chance"
"Ah! you don't care for me-" said the
hero of the coal merchants Office, and
the proud recipient of thirty shillings a
week income. No answer carie save that
her clasped hands made one dumb move
ment in contradiction. Not love him?
Why, every moment in the day vas de-
voted to thinking of him; her work was
neglected; her money spent; her place in
fair way of being forfeited, and poor
Tom Dawlish nearly heart broken, and
yet he said she did not love him. "Ah,
you don't care for me!' he repeated art
fully enough, for no avowal of his own
feeling had ever escaped his lips.
"Oh! do, do" she said; and cover
ing her face with both hands, let her
head down upon his shoulder.
CHAPTER II.
81 hate school," Frankly Poole in-
formed her one morning as he sat on the
table while she sewed button ON his
trousers.
81 should like to be sailor"
Goodness! Master Frankly, what's put
that in your head?"
"Oh, nothing; only Tom Dawlish was
telling me about it; what they did in the
wrecks, you know, and all that.
should like to be on o raft, should"
and he drew his naked toes on to the
table and wriggled them about at the
thought, of the great things he would do.
Toms coming to-day, heard mamma
say so; and if he isn't gone when come
back this afternoon shall ask HIM more
about it."
"I'd tell him not to be filling the
childt head with such nonsense, only
don't want to get in his way" Mary
thought. But somehow Tom got into
her way in the afternoon.
Look here, Mary" he said, II want
to speak to you. 1t isn't that want
you to look at me if you haven't a mind
to, tho goodness knows I'd do anything
for you; but 1 don't want to see nice
girl like yourself lowering of yourself
by walking out with chap like Alfred
HILL"
What's it got to do with you?" she
asked, angrily.
Why, just this, that found out bit
II Al l, l., -.
at you, and thinking you are nice
looking girl when you are dressed up to
walk about with; but as for marrying
you he'll no more do do it than that"
and he snapped his fingers, though what
that action had to do with Mr.. Alfred
Hills intention he did not explain.
why, he's going to marry the daugh-
ter of Mr.. Brooks, what travels for the
firm, that's what he's going to do. Ask
him, and see if he can deny it. Why,
it's coming off directly, only she's moth
ing to look at, so he isn't fond of show.
ing her off, but she's got some money.
she had, and plays on the piano, and
looks like lady"
How do you know Mary asked, her
very lips turning white, for her exacting
heart knew that he had fallen of lately,
and that he was not what be had been in
the spring 1.-THE summer was over.) Not
that for single moment she believed
Tom words.
"Why, work there, and the servants
told me. Besides, I've seen him go
there courting."
81 don't believe it. You ought to be
ashamed of yourself" and she rushed
away to hide her gathering tears and
frightened face.
She wrote TO him, asking him to meet
ht r that night; but he replied with an
excuse that made her heart sick. He
would meet her tomorrow Saturday
afternoon in Kensington Gardens, if she
liked, be said; and to this she consented,
for the first time, and for his sake, was
false to her charge of Frankly.
You run about, Master Frankly,
dear, she said; II want to talk TO o
friend of mine-but don't go out Of
sight" and then in her bewilderment she
forgot all about him. Alfred Hill looked
rather bored than otherwise, but he was
smiling and shiny as ever. She hardly
greeted him when he appeared, but she
looked at him with all the admiration
she had ever felt for him intensified by
her fear. He sat down beside her, and
elegantly crossing his legs, began tap
ping his highly polished boots with his
bone-headed cane.
NAlfre1 she su;1 Ovoaa;uo hop bo uds