The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-05-17
NY FRIEND FITZGERALD.

am little fellow with insignificant
shoulders and legs not worth considering.
I have no talent and no distinguished &C.
sentricity. Ny manner, what there Is OF
il, is timid and awkward. know that
mankind as q species does not regard me
at all, and that only mercenary motives
restrain my tailor from expressing his
contempt for me. There is nothing
more to say about myself, except that 1
have no imagin alton, which may serve
70 substantiate the facts am about to
narrate.
Ny friend Fitzgerald was my anti
podes. He was tall, and strong, and WIN
ming. His name betrays his nationality,
and his nationality furnishes the key
note to q happy, fun-loving nature.
For six years. at school and at college,
We were close companions, and then for
four years We were separated. 1, being
by lucky accident rich, travelled for i'm
provement and Amusement; Fitzgerald
worked for his living. BE chose to be
an engineer-I say chose, for whatever
he set his mind to do he would do brill
iantly.
When 1 got round the world back to
my point of departure, found Fitzger-
aid about setting out for the northwest
OF Canada, where he was to conduct q
government survey. He expected to be
absent at least two years. Since coming
home had meant little more than coming
back to him, this plan of his filed me
With disappointment. When he sug-
gested that 1 accompany the expedition,
l agreed joyfully. The day before that
h1ed for our departure he came to my
rooms, looking nervous and excited
1eigning not to notice his perturbation, 1
began running over a memorandum of
things to be done. he interrupted me
sharply. =,
Look here, Jack, 1 want yon 70 60
out with me at three o'clock this after
noon to -" mentioning small town
some twenty miles distant. I'VE will
get there at four. leave again at five
thirty, and reach home in time for din
ner."
Ny time being precious. objected.
"Do it, Jack. The matter is of vital
importance to me-"
An appeal from Fitzgerald was ire
sistible. / agreed at Cnce. At three
o'clock met bim ct the railway station.
We had been ten minutes on the way
when be said abruptly, Jack, I'm going
70 be married"
1.-The devilv'
Ny emphatic expletive echoed through
the car, and then be added: II should
not feel quite right about it if you we're
not there, and that is how I persuaded
Rmily. Besides" he continued after q
short pause, II want you to see her. ="
Then, the gates Of his confidence being
opened, he plunged into lovers hyper
bole. l listened silently, my hat slouched
over my eyes, and my hands thrust deep
in my pockets. could listen and at the
same time mentally review the years Of
our friendship.
It had been my habit to scofY- an en-
vious scott, of conrse-st his love sffairs
] knew now that the time of scofiing was
past, and / realized with more than @
vomans jeslousy-I confess i'll that his
love for this Eemily would endure, and
henceforth be the guiding impulse Of his
life, whether for good or ill.
On arriving at our station Fitzgerald
went at once to the ladies' waiting room
He returned with . young girl on his
arm, whom he introduced to me as Miss
Emily Gordon.
shook hands with her vigorously and
stretched on tip-toe to get nearer view
OF her face, for she was very tall. As
stared ct her, chilled With disappoint-
nent-not a vague sentiment, bn, de-
cided opinion that the face was not worth
what Fitzgerald would sacrifice for it.
Tho face Was fair and finely featured,
flushed just now with excitement. The
eyes we're dark, and though their wsver-
ing regard was childish and pretty, aud
under the circumstances, to be expected,
that il was which made my heart sink
The restless glance struck me not as
trick of the moment demanded by the
situation. but as expressing undesira BILE
characteristics in the woman. There was
not CLEAN of the steady, spiritual light
such a. it would have pleased me to see
in the eyes of the woman who Vas TO be
Fiteerald's wife.
They we're married in the Methodist
parsonage by . very old man. and the
marriage vas Witnessed by the clergy
nAn's wife and myself. Mrs.. Fitzgerald
insisted on her husbands taking her
nArrisgs certi6cats, sAlrming ohildishly
~ he would surely loss Il. She had