The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-05

sioly be that he had seen all these? Nav,
he must have been dreaming He had
been deluded by q resemblance. Made a
fool of by a fancy.
As soon as he was well away from the
old vender's inquisitive glances, with con-
fused and trembling fingers Colonel Har-
beck stealthily felt for the card which he
had secreted, and drawing near to another
window pane set out with various odds
and ends of curiosities, such as might be
presumed to have tempted inspection,
guiltily drew it forth.
He had not been mistaken. 1t was the
face of his lost love he held within his
hands. 1t was the girl from whom he had
parted fifteen long years before who now
confronted his deyouring gaze.
1t was his little Betty. Then there came
gulp in the strong mans throat. His
little Betty had once been all the world to
him.
He had got over it, as most people do.
There had been a passionate scene; an
overstrained idea of filial duty on the one
hand, an impetuous demand on the other;
proud, bitter words on both sides, then a
slam of the door and chapter in two lives
closed forever.
'But that is so long ago." said Philip
Harbeck to himself after he had thought
and thought the whole circumstance over.
Fifteen years is such an age that / really
Il
be so startled today" He was sitting in
his easy chair after dinner.
"0f.course," he unused, it was rather an
odd thing to happen. That / should be
poking into a strange piece of furniture
and poke out the picture of my old flame,
Betty Drew. She must have come to these
parts, too" Suddenly the speaker reused
up. THAT cupboard must have belonged
to her. Jove, what q fool l was not TO
think of that before! | must 60 tomorrow
and ask the old man. | never thought of
that" Eliminating. ''If Betty is alive she
is somewhere about here. Well. I'll have
a look at Betty anyhow. and we may patch
up peace and live as neighbors for the
remainder of our days. Oh, / can look
Betty in the face. She was as much to
blame as l. l shan't hang my head be-
fore her, and" considering, IF she is a
married woman and a mother she need
not point to me as Poor Philip either.
am no Poor Philip, Miss Betty-or Mrs
Betty-whatever you are, putting away at
good cigar and crossing his toes on the
luxurious fender. Il am very well con-
tent as am, thank you. Although don't
say-mind you, | don't say, +" slowly, that
If / had come across you now, you mink.
Just as You were then'--cocking his head
on one side with an air OF solemn shrewd-
ness that might have edited an oracle-''I
don't saw" proceeded the speaker, in
not have been dangerous 10 me. miss
| madam-whateyer you are. As il is puff
went a long. slow wreath of smoke, while
the cigar glowed cheerily, "as it is, Betty,
my dear, | can do very we'll without YOU
very we'll, indeed ;" and the wretch had
actually the impertinence 10 conclude with
| a smile of broad content which bore upon
| il the stamp of being genuine
Now, did such man deserve a Betty9
All the same, Harbeck decided to find
| out whether or not the Miss Drew whom
| he had known IN earlier years were still
| Miss Drew. and all particulars about her
| To this end he adjourned TO the old curl
| osity shop in Watergate row the following
afternoon, and il Is notable that he was
there earlier in the day hy an hour or two
than when keeping his appointment with
the corner cupboard.
Here, however, an unexpected obstacle
| occurred, lt was not etiquette in Water
! gate row to mention names in connection
| with the articles traded. In reply 10 the
request of his new customer for informa-
ton regarding the quarter whence the old
cupboard had come the little yender
| hummed and hawed rubbed his grimv
| hand along a rail. smiFked, shook his head
and delivered himself of the followiug.
I'VE never do tell. sir; il isn't liked. II Is
always understood that no questions will
be asked. People don't like il being.
known that they are parting with their
old things. Sir-especially If they have
come down bit in the world, and its a
question of needcessity, as one may say,
SIR"
do you mean 10 say il was a question
Of necessity with Miss Drew" exclaimed
Harheck. thrown Of his guard. lis She
Is the family poor Are they come down
in the world p
Miss Drew. SIR Then you knew, sir p"