The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-02-08

frighted glance at him, and seemed
speechless with confusion. To her evil
dent relief her partner for the next dance
came up at that moment, and with
slight bow to the doctor she rose at once
from her seat and disappeared In the
crowd.
DIR. Lane felt little offended at this
treatment, but the young lady's behavior
set his mind at rest concerning her
identity. She evidently remembered
him the instant he mentioned his name,
and her agitation was no doubt due to
the sudden recollection OF the circum-
stances attending their last interview.
Having satisfied his curiosity, the doctor
became conscious that it was getting late,
and went home to bed, but he could not
help marveling at his own dizziness at
not having recognized so pretty pa
tiept.
A day or two afterward he was consid-
erably surprised at receiving visit from
Miss Overton, who called at his home
one morning while he was at breakfast
She looked pale and agitated and re-
turned his greeting with visible en-
barrassment.
Il must apologize, DR.. Lane" she be-
gan, nervously, for my rudeness
to You at Lady Swansdowne's the other
night. The truth is that really did not
recognize you. and when you mentioned
your name IL"
"No apology is needed, my dear young
LADY, interrupted the doctor good
naturally. Pray don't distress your.
self on that account. I hope you did
! Al l. ! 20, II 81 o,nh
a trifling matter"
81 certainly considered that 1 owed
you an apology, DR.. Lane. returned
Miss Overton, avoiding his gaze. "How-
ever, that is not the chief object of my
visit, called because wish to ask your
friendly assistance about "a very unpleas-
ant circumstance"
81 am at your service, Miss Overflow"
said Dr. Lane, considerably surprised.
II am aware that our slight acquaint-
ance hardly iustifes me in asking favor
of you," said the young lady hurriedly.
"But 1t happens that you can do me
great service, and I am sure that you are
too good-natured to refuse. Would you
mind reading this, please?'
The young lady then handed him
letter written on dirty crumpled piece
of paper. DIR. Lane, more surprised
than ever, took the document. and with
some difficulty deciphered the Grabbed
and illiterate handwriting as follows:
1.-THE RED Cow" FERRY WALK, LIVER
POOL. RESPECTED MIss-I am sur
prised you did not answer my last.
am desperit man owing to severe mis-
fortunes and illness and unless receive
addressed as above) the twenty
pound (f20j mentioned in my last 1
shall tell your father everything.
So you should not make any mistake
about what I know, may remind you 1
am aware you came to Liverpool on the
18th of April and stayed the night at Mrs.
Banton's and the next morning you saw
Mr.. M. off on board the steamer uu-
known to your father. A pretty story
to get about of young lady, hich you
know is quite true. Yours respectfully,
JOHN Downs.
To Miss Overton.
"Bless nv soulr calculated the doc
tor; "what is the meaning of this? Who
is the man who writes this letter."
He is butler my father discharged
for drunkenness-at least, suppose
that is the man. / know nobody else of
the name. But, DR.. Lane, please OBJ.
serve the dates he mentions" said Miss
Overton eagerly. He says / went to
Liverpool on the 18th of April. and was
there on the morning of the 10th. Now
you will remember that it was on the
morning of the 10th of April that you
paid me a visit in my ROOM"
mo doubt you are right" said the
doctor, turning over the leaves of his
diary. Eyes, here is the entry, Thurs
day, the 10th of April, at II A. NJ. This
fact alone, of course, proves the accusa-
ton to be groundless. 1t is evident the
man was mistaken"
II ignored his first letter altogether"
resumed Miss Overton, apparently re-
lieved by DIR. Lanes ready testimony.
However, as he has written again,
wish to take precautions to prevent him
worrying papa. l would send the man
the money directly, to secure papa from
annoyance, only know that would be a
weak thing to do"
1T would be fatal-it is not to he
thought Of" said DR.. Lane, decidedly.
II know, but must do something"
said Miss Overton. with an air of des-
peration. Papa has so much to worry
him that 1 must save him this annoy
ance at all hazards. Thought, perhaps,
you would not mind writing to the man
to say you saw me in London on the
18th and thus put an eud to the whole
matter"
81 am afraid I must decline doing
that" said DR.. Lane, after a pause.
Not, 'he fastened to add, from any I'M