The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-05-17
left her home that morning with the


minutes before ours for the city. l
shook hands with her at the parsonage
gate, saying, with elaborate tact, that I
had always longed to pry about this
peculiarly interesting town. She was
crying and clinging closely to Fitager-
aid. She held my hand a moment.
HE is going 80 far from me, and
two years are SO long! You will take
mew
"I do. with my whole heart" an
swered, and turned away from them.
sobs in her voice had touched me almost
won me. Ny dull senses were partially
awakened to the attraction which such a
creature might have for man of strong
passions and imaginations. fit had not
been for that first wretched impression,
should have been in love on the spot
with Fitzgerald's wife.
We were on our way home when he
asked me what thought of her. I
praised her in the best words / could
find, and thought was acquitting my
self we'll. Fitzgerald's hand fell my
shoul or.
What are you saying. Jack? You are
as cold as ice."
"You forget. You are at fever heat"
"Then, what are you feeling?" he burst
out irritably. "What are you thinking
that detracts from her?"
had been coldly thinking the worst
Of her. was startled into an uneq uivo-
cal answer
II am thinking that she has not the
strength to appreciate you, or to be true
to you. am fearing that nothing but
i'll will come to you Of what you have
| done to day"
Iexpected that he woull turn upon
me furionsly, but he did not. His face
lost its color, and he said, as if reasoning
| to himself, not in answer to me:
1T was her own wish. would have
trusted her without any pledge. 1t will
be strange if she does not regret this
day, yet stake my soul that she never
will"
1 said to myself: "He has given her
his best; surely that cannot have been
unworthily bestowed. dug q grave for
my doubts and suspicious. and tried to
cover them deep"
We were in winter quarters in q canon
of the Frazer river We had had no
mail for several weeks, and toward the
end Of the year We concluded that there
were a noble army OF martyrs and An
accumulation of mail bags beneath the
snow drifts that stretched almost I'M
broken for hundred miles, the dis
tance to the nearest post station. One
day, after o week of almost uninter-
rupted 6ne weather, the welcome mes.
senger arrived-arrived on his low
sledge drawn by eight sure-footed dogs
arrived in hot haste, with bells jing-
ling, and frost powdered beard. and
BRIGHT eyes cleaning out from q frame
of furs. for all the world like belated
Santa Claus.
Fitzgerald, as usual, opened the bag,
and knew by his puzzled look that the
letters eagerly expected by him from his
wife we're missing. He kept apart from
us during all the day, but in the evening
joined the group round the fire. with Q
pipe and newspaper.
There was q youngster in our party
who knew was fully informed of the
love of Fitzgerald and Miss Emily
Gordon-as far, that is. as the affair had
been gossiped over by his mamma and
her women friends. When this youth,
buried in o home paper. whistled shrilly
and shouted. Say, Fitzgerald, here's o
nut for you'll"
1 felt certain that he had news of Fitz
gersld's wife.
Whats it?' Fitzgerald asked ,indiffer =
emily. not looking up from his paper.
about that stunning Gordon-the
girl you were such spoons on. Do you
remember"
Fitzgerald took his pipe from his
mouth. II remember. What about
her?'
1T is reported from Rome that Miss
Emily Gordon, one of our fairest
daughters, il to marry the young and
distinguished Count Mondella. Both
parties being of the Roman Catholic
faith. the wedding is soon to be cele-
brated in the Holy City with great
eciat.'"
wondered how Fitzgerald could
quietly listen to this announcement,
read in the most deliberate manner. I
could hardly refrain from getting up and
yelling. Ny establishment increased
when, after asking for the paper, he
carefully re-read the stem; then taking
his great fur coat, he left the room. In
few minutes Joined him, and we
walked to and fro together ON the hard
packed snow before the shsnty.
You see, Jack, that / must leave at
once"
Yes" acquiesced; Il suppose You
could not rest here" Then I protested;
Fitzgerald, let her go. She 10 weak,
faithless, and unworthy"