The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-06-28
COUSIN SHADRACH'S WILL.
"Are Won nv amt DOrcas2"

Mrs. Torrance had been entertaining
aquilting bee that afternoon, and she
had got the frame out of the way, the
dishes washed up, and the apartments
generally "tidied," when there ca ne q
meek tap at the door, and there in the
yellow April twilight stood small fig
ure ii gray travelling shawl, and hold.
ing bag.
"Sakes alive" said Mrs. Torrance.
"Who be you?"
II am Emily" said the girl; "please
let me in, for 1 am tired and cold. I've
walked eli the W ~ from the station and
I've had nothing to eat since noon"
"Well, I neverl" said Mrs. Torrance.
you're the city school ms'am, amt
you, as went out to live with cousin
Shadrach? And he's dead aud the money
is all gone to the Baptist widow and or.
phan fund? You didn't make much that
move, did you? And you've come back
to us now, though we wasn't stylish
enough for you before. Well, come in,
come in"
And Mrs. Torrance, who was essen
TALLY kind-hearted woman, albeit che
could not repress the sneer that rose to
her lips. moved the low rocker to the
fire and flung another log on the and
irons.
Cousin Shadrach had been the family
apple of discord ever since they could
remember. He was rich, he WAS eccen.
trio, he was grabbed. He had shut the
door in the face of all his relations, until
toward the last, sick and feeble, he had
signified his desire that Emily Alden
should come and take care of him. And
Emily had gone.
There had been spice of jealousy in
the family asregards Emily for a longtime
Emily had been looked upon as proud"
and stuck up," because, instead OF en-
tering factory, or learning the dress
makers trade, she had elected to be
teacher. She had never visited Job Tor
RANGES family until now-now that
cousin Shadrach had willed his money to
the Baptist widows and orphans-her
own mother was dead, and her step
father, q pompous old Wholesale grocer,
objected to step-children. SO that there
seemed to be no other haven OF refuge
left her.
Who could blame Mrs. Torrance for
. momentary feeling of triumph when
lEmily came thus to her door stone in
the twilight OF that April day?
But -he helped her of with her things,
made cup of tea for her, and finally es-
corled her to little room under the roof
tree, where the floor was covered with
home made rag carpet, and the bed was
decorated with rainbow Jobs troubles"
Quilt, ana you could look ont Of the win
d ~ into gr-ening meadow, where
whip. poor.will planted its melancholy
refrain.
II hope you will sleep we'll. !" said Mrs.
Jorrapce. "We cat breakfast at five
O'Clock
Aud then she went away.
Early - was the breakfast hour, EN-
ily was awake ut least an hour before 1t.
As il the tumultuous glee OF the blue
birds and robiua in the old orchard would
permit any one tn sleep. Aud "a she
lay with her cheek against the pillow.
wstchiug the rosy dawn light creep up
the wall, she heard the sound OF voices
In the meadow below her easement.
'Wh.t is she like, mother?" said Job,
jr.. who was milking. =,
"Oh. she looks we'll enough" Mrs.
Torrance carelessly responded. Little
AMI dark, with big shady eyes and u real
Torrance mouth. Doesn't talk great
deal and dressed shabby. rs one migha
expect"
"Poor ihingr' said Job. pitvingly.
''Weil," said Mrs. Torrance, sharply,
II can't say but what she deserves all
shea got Them Aliens always were rs
proul rs Lncifcr." j.
"Ynn will have to keep her, mother, OF
couvse =
II suppose So" said Mrs. Torrance.
IL don't suppose shes got any where
elss 10 CO."
There vss NO more delicious dosing