The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1884-02-28

been checked, that tropical richness OF color
ing toned Gown, and criticism on that score
was disarmed.
"Arthur" she cried, not flushing in the
least, yet 18th all the eight of her countenance
dying out and strange gloom overshadow-
the warm brown eyes
"Ermyntrude" exclaimed he.
One instant these two, who had wrecked
each others hope, clasped hands, and eye met
eye in searching, yearning gaze; then the lady
said, quietly enough outwardly:
"rhs is an unexpected meeting. l regret
being so pressed for time; l am obliged to
seem abrupt l came to see Joe on a matter
of business. Is
81 know, l know" replied Arthur Okin
interrupting her; ''sit down, please; I've
something to tell YOU"
She sat down and he told her about Joe's
death and his reading Of her letter. He
could not reach the necessary papers for
day or two, he said, and in the course of
week would be obliged to visit Jersey City;
if agreeable, he would be happy to wait upon
her there.
Taught by tears and Gained by time"
there was little more said on either side Mrs.
Okill was summoned and chartered for about
fifteen minutes, after which her brother-in-
law attended Miss Southmayd to the little
rose-banked station, pressed her hand, and
babe her goodbye
Miss Southmayd's parlor was not gorgeous;
1t was simply coy nook in which to do or
to dream great or lovely things. Sitting
there with roseate lights and violet shadows
fitting over face and figure, Empress
Ermyntrude's" heart beat true, but she was
on her guard against this much-married
lover
Not so he. Seeing her still so rarely beau
tiful, SO like the queen Of ife's unforgotten
May, memory failed to produce record OF
the hard and bitter things written and sealen
against her; later loves and ties were ignored,
and, although self-controlled and apparently
cool and at ease, he felt the passion Of that
earlier, better day poisoning redly in his
heart
They parted as they had met, old acquaint-
ances; that, seemingly, was all. 1t was,
nevertheless, odd what a vast amount Of 'red
tape Mr.. Okill managed to wind about this
bit OF business 1t became necessary he should
call again. During this interview, he dashed
into the subject nearest his thoughts and
heart in a manner which might strike one
abrupt, awkward, but every human"
81 think l never saw you look SO well in
anything as you did that evening in the red
dress"
She knew to what he alluded. They had
quareled over a dress which, when she dis
played it in triumph as the one she was to
wear at coming party, he said would
"extinguish' her; it was too much the color
OF her hair and eyes. One word brought an
other, FINELY she flashed out:
"lf the way dress don't suit your lordship,
perhaps don't suit you either, and we may
as well break our engagement"
"As you please" he had reptile |, ;ftily.
Two days afterward they met at the party
and did not speak, so the affair became com
mon property. Following close this heart
tragedy came the Southmayds removal and
that seemed to be the end Of loves young
dream.
you mistake" she replied; sit was not
red. it was cinnamon brown. They would
call 1t terra-cotta now"
There was "A moments silence. Each had
opehed the page Of life's past and was reading
their stories with strained, panied hearts and
eyes.
They stood near the breeze haunted bay
window, over which woodbine strung her
scented garlands. Somewhere. sweet
voiced girl sang Home, Sweet Home" When
the last note died lingeringly on the summer
air, Arthur spoke:
"Nor is there in life anything so sweet as
the honey of young love- One may roam
the world over, drinking at every spring;
might even banquet with the gods, and never
find, nor hope to find, such nectar as he first
drank from loves golden chali,e."
Errnyntrude, gathering some fallen white
and creamy blossoms, murmured something
about flowers that never freshen, and they
stood in silence again, looking into the unfor.
gotten land Of youth.
The Hairpin Craze.