The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-11-08

"Do II" he whispered. "Ah, but I'm
not bit changed. Mary, darling, I loved
you when was boy, but love you
thousand times more now that am
strong man."
"Do you, Jack?" said, blushing, as
I walked by his side.
"Do I? Yes. Why, Mary, the thought
of your darling face has been my pro.
lection ever since went away. l
wouldn't drink more than was good for
me with the lads, for I said to myself,
what would Mary sAy?"
"Did you say that, Jack?" I said, feel
ing so pleased, and with my heart beat
ing faster than ever"
"Indeed did, and I wouldn't 60 into
any rough company, for I felt that you
would know if did, and somehow the
thought of you, my darling, has kept mo
right and square, for I said I'd come
back to you, and show you that, how
ever people may run soldier down, he
has got a heart, like other men; and p!
had sworn that I would be true to you"
Ny head was in whirl, and wanted
to speak, but could not, and then l
was vexed, for felt that he would think
me silly and stupid, and all I could do
was to was to walk by his side right up
to our door, where he sai2 "Goodby,"
holding me tightly by both my hands.
II must 60 and see my father now"
he said.
"What, haven't you seen him, Jack?"
mo. How could 60 and see him
till I had seen the little girl who is all
the world to me? Now, goodby, dar-
ling, I must see you again tomorrow"
He left me then, and l went in trem-
bling, to run up to my room, and sob as
had never sobbed before.
It was not that was miserable, but
felt so confused and strange, and my
thoughts seemed to be always with Jack,
and somehow I began to think at last
that as he loved me so truly and 90 well,
I suppose that, though I had not known
it, I loved him, too.
Then I felt frightened and ashamed,
and wondered what would become OF me
for being 80 bold, and at last, there it
was, I found myself thinking all day
long of the brave, true hearted fellow
who had loved me all these years, and
feeling angry with myself for thinking
so little of him before.
Oh, how bright and pleasant every
forth, and how I used to sit and glow,
and feel happier than had ever felt be-
fore, when thought about Jack loving
me so we'll.
The future was nothing to me;
could only think of the present, and
hundred times q day I used to say to
myself: Jack loves me, and I'll try to
love him, too"
AN, it took no trying. My young
girlish heart leaped forth to meet him,
and all seemed happiness and Joy till I
began to wake up to the truth of all
about me.
First, my mistress gave me q severe
talking to upon the imprudence of being
seen talking so much to 0 common sol
der, ard l felt as if could have said
bitter words to her for calling him
common" Then came the next trou.
BILE, and that came from Jack one even
ing, and it was as he was walking home
with me from church.
my furlough's nearly over, Mary,
DEAR" he said, land shall have to
CO."
"Go?" I cried, and for the first time
my arms started up and chung to him.
Eyes, my darling" he whispered. as
he held me to his heart, II must go and
leave you. Father wants me to stay.
but I've served half my time. and Ill
do the rest, and come home like q man
as has done his duty, and then I shall be
in the reserve"
"But you'll-you'll take me with you,
Jack?"
He didn't speak, but gave quite sob
as he held me tightly strained to his
heart, and it was some time before the
words would come; but at last they did.
and he seemed cruel and as il he didn't
care for me, as he told me he loved me
too we'll to make me q soldiers wife.
mo, DEAR" he said, "the barracks
would be no place for you. My darling
must have little home of her own. We
must wait"
"Wait. Jack? How long?" said.
He waited for few minutes before he
spoke again, and then he said, Five
years." and it sounded like knsll.
But Ave years soon pass by in busy
life. Jack went away. and felt half
broken.hearted, and thought him cruel
TO 60; bat grew patient and hopeful.
He wrote to me regularly from all his
stations-such simple, true, loving let
ters, that there was always something to
look forward to. and, - he used TO say,
though ours was long counting, he
would, after all, be only eight and
twenty, and me two years less. when he
came back, aud that the time had taught
us 10 be fonder Of each other, and the fu-
ture would be all happiness and Joy.
a