The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1901-08-08
CHAPTER XXI.-(Continued.)

,Jra1S of thousands. AT urSt Sne re-
n" n",ad "a believe it, but when Mary and
Inv both assured her it was true, and
.Lan she herself had ocular demOnstra-
Siam of the fact, she gave way to one
,'n, dt Of weeping, and then, drying her
Oa '"a. declared that Henry Lincoln should
s.s that she would not die for him"
sill a minute observer could easily
A,va seen that her gayety was feigned,
S'r she had loved Henry Lincoln as sim
a.ray As she was capable Of loving, and
not oven George Moreland, who treated
Isr with his old boyish familiarity, could
make her for moment forget one who
now passed her coldly by, or listened pas
siveIy while the sarcastic EvrOn Hern-
Jou Ikened her to waxen image, fit
only for a glass case.
Toward the last of April Mrs. Mason
and Mary returned to their old home in
tho country. On Elias account Mrs.
Csmpbell had decided to remain in the
cty during part Of the summer, and
she labored hard to keep Mary also.
Mary promised. however, to spend the
next winter with her aunt, who wept at
narting with her more than she would
probably have done had it been Ella.
Mary had partially engaged to teach the
school in Rice Corner, but George, as
suming kind of authority over her, de-
clared she should not.
Il don't want your eyes to grow dim
and your cheeks pale in that little, pent-
10 room" said he. You know I've been
there and seen for myself"
Mary colored, for Georges manner Of
late had puzzled her, and Jenny had more
than once whispered in her ear, II know
George loves you, for he looks at you
lust as William does at me, only little
more So,'
Ida, too, had once mischievously ad-
dressed her as Cousin" adding that
there was no one among her acquaint-
ances whom she would as willingly call
by that name. when l was a little
girl" said she, they used to tease me
about George, but I'd as soon think Of
marrying my brother. You never saw
Mr.. Elwood, Georges classmate, for he's
in Europe now. Between you and me, |
like him and"
A loud call from Aunt Martha prevent
ed Ida from finishing, and the conversa-
ton was not again resumed. The next
morning Mary was to leave, and as she
stood in the parlor talking with Ida.
George came in with a travelling satchel
in his hand, and a shawl thrown care
lessly over his arm.
TO Springfield. have business there" "
said George.
And when will you return 2" continued
Ida, feeling that it would be dOubly
lonely at home.
That depends on circumstances" said
he Il shall stop at Chicopee on my way
back, provided Mary is willing"
Mary answered that she was always
glad to see her friends, and as the car
rage just then drove up, they started to-
gether for the depot. Mary never re-
membered Of having had a more pleasant
ride than that from Boston to Chicopee.
George was most agreeable companion,
and with him at her side she seemed
to discover new beautines in every OBJ
ject which they passed, and felt rather
sorry when the winding river and the
blue waters of Pordunk Pond warned
her that Chicopee station was near at
hand
"Oh! how pleasant to be at home once
more, and alone" said Mrs. Mason, but
Mary did not reply. Her thoughts were
elsewhere, and much as she liked being
alone, the presence Of a certain individ-
ual would not probably have marred her
happiness to any great extent. But he
was coming soon, and with that in antici-
patton she appeared cheerful and gay as
usual.
Among the first to call upon them was
Mrs. Perkins, who came early in the
morning. bringing her knitting work and
staying all day. She had taken to dress
making, she said, and thought maybe she
could get some new ideas from Mary q
dresses, which she very coolly asked to
See. With the utmost good humOr Mary
opened her entire wardrobe to the inspec-
tlon Of the widow. At last the day was
over and with it the visit of the widow,
VINO had gathered enough gossiping mate
rails to last her until the Monday FOL
lowing, when the arrival in the neighbor-
hood of George Moreland threw her upon
fresh theme, causing her to wonder
twas Mary's beau, and IL he hadn't
oeen kinder courtin' her ever since the
Time he visited her school"
She felt sure Of it when, toward even
ing, she saw them enter the school house.
aud nothing but the presence Of visitor
prevented her from stealing across the
% road and listening under the window.
one would undoubtedly have been highly
edined could she have heard their con-
'ersatlon. The interest which George
had felt in Mary when a little child waa
greatly increased when he visited heE
SCHOOL in Rice Corner, and saw how
much she was improved in her manners
ana appearance; and it was then that he
conceived the idea Of educating her. de-
! t,erinining to marry her il she proved al
ne hoped she would.
lie had asked her to accompany him to
,ne school house, because it was theirs
MS resolution had been formed, and y
was there he would make ii known. Mary
.oo' mad something which she wished e
LAY 10 him. She would thank him for hia
Guinness h". to her and her parents memory
"u' the moment she commenced talkino
,pon the subject George stopped her. and
aOf the first time since they were chill
ureh' placed his arm around her waist
anu' kissing her smooth, white brow
o osia' Shall l tell you, Mary, how you
'an repay meY
.c. one did not reply, and he continued
u'Ve me husbands right to care foI
,Jl' ,e', and | shall be repaid thousand
,,onaa on,ii the shadows Of evening fel