The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1884-02-14
CHECKMATED.
Minnie nnuclas.

minnie douglas.
She was SO pretty and it was such
charming blush with which she greeted
him. Algernon Gregson was a very
good-looking fellow himself, and he
knew it. No one was better able to
throw fascinating empresSment into
words which meant nothing, and the
only apparent object of his dark eyes
was to make more decided love than his
tongue mis hit venture on.
Circumstances decidedly favored
lovers that glorious autumn day. when
the picnic party landed from a steam
launch and roamed about the shady
woods of lovely Cliefden, Many couples
could find retirement there, the shade
was so deep; and the only danger lay
in the too great apparent security the
thick underground gave for the utter
ance of tender sentiments-it being
quite possible that soured bachelor or
implacable paterfamilias might be
roaming unseen within ear-shot.
There are never enough eligibles at
a picnic-at least so mothers say; and
it is we'll known that those young men
who are handsomest, who scull best and
give most life to everything are unde-
sirable matrimonial speculations.
Millv st. Aubin had no mother to
watch her. and her good-natured
chaperone liked to see her happy; be-
sides, Algernon Gregson had not less
than $500 year and Milly, who had
nothing, could not look for a rich hus-
band.
But no matrimonial intentions dis
turbed the mind of the handsome Alger-
non. He was simply enjoying the time
and the opportunity, and thinking it a
vast pity such pretty girl as Nlillv
should be pauper, People were all
paupers in Algernon's eTes unless they
had at least as much as himself but he
did not dislike pretty paupers, and al
ways fiirted with them. To himself he
never admitted the possibility of marry
ing anything less than an heiress, and
he knew of no one now who was quite
prepared to marry him.
-Going to Scotland +" said Algernon,
as Millv's gentle voice told him her
autumn plans perhaps We shall meet
there. l am promised some shooting
shortly"
soft. merry blue eyes were raised in
pleasure. She did not know that the
heiress Algernon intended for himself
lived in Scotland, and was able to
promise shooting She was not quite
in love-but very near it. and the woods
and their bird voices seemed hurrving
her on. Besides, her cavalier had de-
cided that he must not see this pretty
pauper again, so was as fascinating as
possible.
A few days later Millv started for the
north, feeling just little pang of dis
appointment that Mr.. Gregson had
never called since the picnic. She spent
night in Edinburgh, and then went
on to the end of her journey, where some
lively Young cousins met her, and dur
ing a long country drive to her uncle
place they told her all the news and
plans for pleasure.
We've got ten visitors besides you,
Milly, and you won't be a visitor at all
because mother has Just had another
bed put in my room for you. She
always rolls up the girls into bundles
when the shooting begins, and gives
our nice rooms to the fat old ladies and
people who invite us to town in the
season. announced Gertie, with a
laughing toss of the head
I'm so glad l shall be among you
all :" said Millv, looking admiringly at
the distant hills and winding, silvery
river This does feel invigorating
after stutfy London"
Here We are" cried Lillian, a
pretty, fair little thing Mamma is
there to welcome you, coz, and equity
Sir Thomas has hobbled out behind
her, because We told him what beauty
you were
For shame, Lii" said Gertie, laugh
ing look how she bushes"
Welcome to Scotland, my dear,
said Aunt Myra, with an affectionate
embrace. This is our old friend, Sir
Thomas Wye-he knew your poor
mother we'll"
And am delighted to meet daughter
who resembles her, said the old gentle
man, whose face was very fat. and the
color of it a mixture of red and blue.
You did not say too much" he added
nodding to Gertie. Then the girls
carried off their cousin to the far away
room, where her baggage soon lol-
lowed. Lillian announced:
Tonight you will meet our 'heiress
Annie Lyons. She is here for few
days, and you will like her. She's not
pretty.
"Heiresses never are" said Gertie
that's quite fair.
''She has heaps of admirers, though.
said Lillian, shaking her head.
Her fortune has p laughed Gertie
seornfully.