The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1901-06-20


Il know them children win sp,it the;r
throats. Cant they hold up a minute. !"
exclaimed Mrs. Perkins, greatly annoved
at being thus prevented from oyerhearins
conversation the natuce of which she
could not even guess.
The stranger was at that moment smil-
ingiy saying: ''Tell me more about her.
Does she ever scold, or has she too
pretty mouth for thatY"
No, she never scolds." said Della
Frost, "and she's got the incest white
teeth, and guess. she knows it, too. for
she shows them a great deal"
She's real white. too." rejoined Lydia
Knight, though pa says she used to be
yaller as saffron"
Here there was gentle rap upon the
window, and the girls, starting of, ex-
claimed: There. we must go in"
May go, too?" asked the stranger,
following them to the door. Introduce
me as Mr.. Stuart"
Lydia had never introduced ANYBODY in
her life, and, following her companions to
her seat, she left Mr.. Stuart standing In
the doorway. With her usual politeness,
Mary came forward and received the
stranger. who gave his name as Mr.. Stu
art, saying "he felt much interested in
common schools, and therefore had ven
tured to call"
Offering the seat of honor, Nary re-
sumed her usual duties, occasionally
casting look of curiosity ut the stranger.
whose eyes seemed constantly upon her
1t was rather warm that day, and when
Mary returned from her dinner Widow
Perkins was greatly shocked at seeing
her attired in light pink muslin dress,
the short sleeves Of which showed to good
advantage her round, white arms. A mar
row velvet ribbon confined by small
brooch and black silk apron, completed
her toilet, with the exception Of a tinJ
locket, which was suspended from her
neck by slender gold chain. This last
ornament Immediately Hveted Mr.. Stu
arts attention, and from some strange
cause sent the color quickly to his face
After time, as IL to ascertain whether
it were really a locket or q watch, he ask
ed iii Miss Howard. could tell him the
hourY'
Certainly, sir" said she, and stepping
to the desk and consulting silver time
piece about the size Of q dining plate
she told him that 1t was half-past three.
When school was out Mr.. Stuart, who
seemed in no haste whatever, entered in.
to lively discussion with Mary concern.
ing schools and books, adroitly managing
to draw her out upon all the leading top
les Of the day. At last the conversation
turned upon flowers; and when Mary
chanced to mention Mrs. Mason's beauti
full garden he instantly expressed q great
desire to see it, and finally offered to &C.
company Mary home, provided she had
no objections. She could not, Of course
say no, and the Widow Perkins came
very near letting her buttermilk biscuit
burn to cinder when she saw the young
man walking down the road with Mary
Arrived at Mrs. Mason's, the stranger
managed to make himself 30 agreeable
that Mrs. Mason invited him to stay t.
tea. Whoever he was, he seemed to IN
derstand exactly how to find out what
ever he wished to know; and before tea
was over he had learned Of Mary's in
tention to attend the academy in Viii
braham the next autumn.
Finally he said goodnight, leaving
,, Mary and Mrs. Mason to wonder-the
one what he came there for, and the 9th
er whether he would ever come again
, The widow, too, wondered and 6dgeted
rs the sun went down behind the long
,, hill.
"It beats all mater what's kept him SC
long," said she, when he at last appear
ed and, unfastening his horse, drove of
! at furious rate; '.but il live I'll know
all about it tomorrow" and with THU
| consolatory remark she returned to tbs
best room and for the .emainder Of the
evening devoted herself to the entertain
ment Of Uncle Jim and his wife. Aunt
| Dolly.
That evening Mr.. Knight, who had
been to the postofice, called at Mrs. Ma
sons, bringing with him letter which
bore the Boston postmark. Passing it t
Mary, he winked at Mrs. Mason, saying
81 kinder guess how all this writin
works will end; but hain't there been
! young chap to see the school 2
ssYes; how did you know itr returned
Mrs. Mason, while Mary flushed mors
! deeply than she did when Billy's iettel
was handed her.
.Why. you SEE" answered Mr.. Knight
! az was about at the foot OF the Blanch
ard hill, when see q buggy coming like
Jehu.- Just as 1t got agin me It kinder
.l.ckened and the fore wheel ran OF
smack and scissors"
"Was he hurtY quickly asked Mary.
"Not bit ont" said Mr.. KNIGHT "bu
he was scared some, guess l got on
and helped him, and when he heard ~
from Rice Corner he said he'd been int
school. Then he asked forty-1e ques
| tions about you, and Jest q ] was settin
Won no hirh, who should come a-canterln
m. with their long-tailed gowns, and hat
| IKE men, but Ella Campbeu and srea
white-eyed pucker, that came home w't'
| her from school7 Either, Elias horse va
/ scary or she did II purpose for IN
minit she rot near It began to rare an
.he would have fen on II that man hadn,
c,tched It By the bit and held ner o.
With t'other hand. allue vas tne mos
..rcninary OF men, and was bundln;
csstlee about him and our little scnoca
marm. when Ella came along ana : q.
F! II up. for zee that he was fook, ans
.he aid look Handsome, With her cur's
avin' Wall, q wasn't - no more ~
vhipped up old Charlotte and come On.
sWhen did Eila return r asked Nay
no had not before heard = her sister
arrival. .-a4 ss,r,,..
/ ART see OF her was esttm Eous ooS,
| fhe streets On the dsad run eqt = mnssa ~
s@.v herr eabbins % gooo-nlen ..,n' -,
j 1S..on go d-nfaht. 0agy noPe yoS n