The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-08-30


iosity. BY the way, did you say how
much interest you allowed on such de-
posts as come within your limit"
Five per cent, madam"
THANK you. I only asked for curl.
osity. What beautiful morning it is"
and the widow tripped lightly out.
Shortly after the elder entered.
"How's business, Mr.. Cashier" he
inquired.
About as usual"
Had many deposits lately?"
None of any magnitude"
81 brought over woman this morn
ing who seemed to have business with
you"
"The Widow Hayes?"
"Yes."
do you know" asked the cashier,
whether she had any money left her
lately?"
"None that know Of" said the elder,
pricking up his ears. why, did she
deposit apy?"
mo; but she inquired whether we re.
ceived deposits as high as $40 ,0O0."
"Indeedw calculated the elder. sis
that all she came for?" he inquired, q
moment afterward.
mo, she exchanged gold piece for
bills"
cha" pondered the elder, reflective
ly, "Did she give any reason for her
inquiries?"
mo, she said she only asked for curl.
osity."
The elder left the bank in deep
thought. He came to the conclusion
that this curiosity only yelled deeper
motive. He now no longer entertained
doubt that the widow had found pot
of gold in her cellar, and appearances
seemed to indicate that its probable
value was at least equal to $40. 900. The
gold piece which she had exchanged
at the bank appeared to confirm this
theory.
II rather think" said the elder to him.
self, complscently, II can see into a
milestone about as far as most people. I"
A statement, the literal truth of which I
defy any one to question, though as to
the prime fact of people being able to
see into q milestone at all doubts have
now and then thrust themselves upon
my mind.
The next Sunday the Widow Hayes
appeared at church in a new and stylish
bonnet, which led to some sach remarks
as these:
How much vanity some people have.
to be surer'
How a woman tina. has TO keep board.
ers for living can afford to dash out in
such q bonnet is more than can tell. /
should think she was old enough to know
better"
This last remark vas MADE by young
lady just six months younger than the
widow. and whose attempts 10 catch q
second husband had hitherto proved
utterly unavsiling.
81 suppose" contiaued the same
young lady, ''she is trying to catch q
first husband with her fnery. Before
I'd condescend 70 such means, ibid
drown myself"
In this last amiable speech the young
lady mad unwittingly nit upon the true
motive. The widow vas intent upon
catching Elder Boyd. and she indulged
in q costly bonnet. not because she sup
posed the elder would be caught with
fnery. but because this would strength
en- in his mind the idea that she had
stumbled upon hidden wealth. The
widow calculated shrewdly, and the dis
play had the effect she anticipated.
Monday afternoon, the elder found an
errand that called him over to the Wild
ow's. 1t CHANGED to be just about tea
time. He was importuned to stay to tea,
and, somewhat to his own surprise, &C
tually did.
The polite widow, who knew the eld-
er's weak point, brought one Of her best
mince pies, o piece of which her guest
psrtook Of with zest.
you'll take another piece, know"
said she, persuasively.
Really, l am ashamed" said the eld-
er; but he passed his plate. 9TH. fact
Is, he said apologetically, "your pies
are so nice don't know when to stop"
"Do you call those nicer" said the
widow, modestiy. II call them COM
mon. can make good mince pies when
l set out to. but this time didn't have
% good luck Is usual"
II shouldn't want any better" said
the elder, emphatically.
Then l hope, il you like them, you
will drop in to tea often. We ought to
be more neighborly. Elder Boyd"
Elder Boyd assented. and he meant
what he said. The fact is, the elder be-
gan to think that the widow was q very
charming woman. She was very comedy
and then she WIS such an excellent cook.
Besides, he had no doubt In his own
miud that she was worth Q considerable
sum OF money. What objection could
there be to her becoming Mrs. Boyd?