The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-08-09

roses IOr large Oruer from PeSent
street milliner.
She was pale little woman, who
spent her life in Il wheel chair-she had
long ago lost the use of her limbs-and
on the floor, beside her, sat child of
eight years old, playing with the dam
aged bits of red silk discarded by her
mothers quick fingers.
She looked up with an explanation as
the door opened.
"Mamma," she cried, "it's Ella"
"Ellaw exclaimed Elson. Home at
this time of the day? My dearest, what
has happeneo?'
Il am discharged, mammal said Ella,
endeavoring to speak firmly. Il have
lost my situation
And then fiinging herself on the floor
at her mothers side, she buried her face
in the poor cripples lap and burst out
crying.
While all this was transporting, some.
thing more singular still had taken place
at the store where the automaton bird
had sung its last ca ntata. and the music
box that played "Annie Laurie" was be-
ing carefully packed up. Mrs. Langley
was inst turning to the door. when a
stout gentleman who had been sitting
on red velvet stool, near the entrance,
rose u5--a ponderous individual, with
fur Innings to his coat collar, and a red
silk OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES tied round his
neck.
"Ah!" said the stout man with nod.
"Why, it is Uncle Bob!" exclaimed
Amanda.
why, Robert. when did You come
in p
1--WE been here this some time" said
Robert Rutherfords. 1--WE been waiting
for,you to get your purchases settled
hand recognize me. Upon my word, Sis
ter Matilda, you're capital hand ut
driving bar gain. 1 could not have
bought that music-box to better advan-
tage myself. Why, the shopman didn't
have the shadow of a chance
Mrs. Langley bit her lip, but she
smiled. Uncle Rutherford was too i'm
portant person not to be allowed to
have his own way, even in the matter of
making disagreeable remarks.
But it wasn't quite the fair thing of
you, Niece Amanda, went on this ter
rible old gentleman, "to let that poor
shop-girl lose her place for your clum-
siness, in tipping that automaton bird
over and breaking the cover OF the show.
case, was it nov? Answer me hon
estly?
Amanda Langley hung down her head.
"What?" cried Mrs. Langley.
81 saw it all, said the old gentleman;
Il know Malcolm. I've lent him money
! to carry on this very business, and /
shall speak to him. Don't look so fright
ened, niece Amanda. You're not going
to be arrested. Only let it be lesson
to you through life, that you cannot do
a mean action without its being found
| out. Is this your carriage, Matilda?
Let me help you in"
And the next half hours tete-a- tete
| with her mother was not particularly
pleasant one for Miss Amanda Langley.
"Just as your uncle was beginning to
be little fond of you, too" said the in
dignant matron; "and now he is thor
oughly disenchanted. Amanda, l
couldn't believe this OF you"
"But, ma" whispered Amanda, "you
, didn't tell the shopman that day when
you knocked the cut glass cologne bottle
off the counter and broke it. You said
it was his business to look after his own
goods. You told me"
will you hold your tongue, mlss?"
said Mrs. Langley, with ascerblty.
Its strange, indeed, how little judg-
ment girls havew
After due reflection she went to NAL
collins the next day to inquire how much
damage she was liable for in the matter
of her daughters carelessness, but was
told that Mr.. Rutherford had settled
all that.
Dear, DEAR" said Mrs. Langley,
things are getting worse and worse.
Your Uncle Robert is just enough OF
modern Don Quixote to go hunting
about all over London to find some pert
shop girl and restore her to her place.
Men are such fools where pretty girl
is concerned"
II don't think she's pretty bit" said
Amanda, sullenly.
BE quiet, Amanda" said her mother,
shsrply. You've done enough mis-
chief already"
Mrs. Langley proved a true prophet.
Uncle Rutherford, who had no particu-
lar business of his own to mind, had an
especial penchant for the 'ninding OF
other people's affairs. He obtained Mrs.
Elsons address from Mr. Malcolm, and
went straight to the old house in
Bloomsbury, where q dealer in marine
stores occupied the ground floor, fami-
ly Of Polish refugees worked IN ivory on
the second, and the top story sheltered
Mrs. Elson and her two daughters.
my GIRL" he said to Ella. who sat
discoD solately by the window trying to