The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1901-09-20
CHAPTER VIII.

fixed upon for our marriage. My mother
began to adget about my going over 20
London to ct myself out with wedding
clothes. Jalia's was going on fast to
completion. Our trip to Switzerland was
distinctly planned out. Go ! must 70
London; order my wedding suit | must.
But hrst there could be no harm In rum
ming over to Sark to see Olivia once
more. As soon as was married | would
tell Julia all about her But IL either
arm or ankle went wrong for want Of at
tention, l should never forgive myself.
1t was the last time | could see Olivia
before my marriage. Afterwards ! should
see much OF her; for Julia would Invite
her to our house, and be friend to her.
l spent wretchedly sleepless night; and
whenever dozed | saw Olivia before me,
weeping bitterly. and refusing to be com
forted.
From st. Simpsons we set sail straight
for the Havre Gosseiin. To my extreme
surprise and chagrin. Captain Carey an
nounced his intention Of landing with
me, and leaving the yacht In charge Of
his men to await our return.
"The ladder Is excessively awkward,
l objected, "and some Of the rungs are
loose. You don't mind running the risk
Of a plunge into the waterf
mot In the least he answered cheer
lily; "for the matter OF that, plunge into
1t every morning at LAncresse. want
to see Tsrdif. He 10 one in a thousand,
as you say; and one cannot see such
man every day Of ones life.
There was no help for ii, and gave
In, hoping some good luck awaited me.
| led the way up the zig-zag path, and
lust as we reached the top | saw the
slight, erect figure of Olivia seated upon
the brow Of a little grassy knoll at
short distance from us. Her back was
towards u.s. 80 she was not aware Of our
vicinity; and pointed towards her with
an assumed air Of Indifference.
II believe that Is my patient yonder,
said; II will just run across and speak
to her, and then follow you to the farm.
sAhp' he exclaimed, there Is lovely
view from that spot / recollect 1t well,
l will 20 with you. There will be time
enough to see Tardif0
Did Captain Carey suspect anythingf
Or what reason could he have for wish
ing to see Olivia? Could 1t be merely
that he wanted to see the view from that
particular spot? I'could not forbid him
accompanying me, but wished him at
Jericho.
Olivia did not hear our footsteps upon
the soft turf. though we approached her
very nearly The sun shone upon her
glossy hair, every thread Of which seem
ed to shine back again. She was read
Ing aloud, apparently to herself, and the
sounds of her sweet voice were waited
by the air towards US. Captain Carey's
face became very thoughtful.
A few steps nearer brought us In view
of Tardif, who had spread his nets on
$he grass, and was examining them mar
rowly fos rents. Just at this moment
he was down on his knee, not far from
Olivia, gathering some broken meshes to-
gether, but listening to her, with an ex-
preston Of huge contentment upon his
handsome face. bitter pang shot
through me. Could It be true bysany pos
slbillty--that lie had heard the last time
! was in Sark?
Good day, Tardif," shouted Captain
Carey; and both Tardif and Olivia start
ed. But both of their faces graw bright
er at seeing US. 0llvia's color had come
back to her cheeks, and a sweeter face
no man ever looked upon.
II am very glad you are come once
more" she said, putting her hand in
mine; you told me tn your last letter
you were going to England"
l glanced from the corner Of my. eye at
Captain Carey. He looked very grave,
but his eyes could not rest upon Olivia
without admiring her, as she stood be-
fore us, bright-faced slender. erect, with
the folds of her coarse dress falling about
her as gracefully as If they were Of the
richest material.
This Is my friend, Captain Carey, Miss
Olivia" | said, 'ln whose yacht have
come to visit you"
II am very glad to see any friend of
DR.. Martins" she answered as she held
out her hand to him with smie;, my
doctor and are great friends, Captain
Carey"
80 l suppose" he said significantly
or at least his tone and look seemed
fraught with significance to me.
"Tardif." l said, Captain Carey came
ashore on purpose to visit you and your
farm"
knew he was excessively proud Of his
farm, which consisted Of about four or
Eve acres. He caught at the words with
alacrity, and led the way towards his
house with tremendous strides. Olivia
and / were left alone, but she was mov-
ing after them slowly, when ran to her,
and offered her my arm, on the plea that
her ankle was still too weak to bear her
weight unsupported.
"0liviaP | exclaimed, after we had
gone a few yards. bringing her and my
self to a sudden halt Then was struck
dumb. | had nothing special to say TO
her. How was II | had called her so
famillarly Ohvia7
'Well, DIR. Martini" she said, looking
into my face again with eager, inQuiring
eyes, as II she was wlshful to understand
my varying moods.
What lovely place this is" ejae-
ulated.
More lovely than any words ever
heard could describe. II was a perfect
day, and a perfect view The sea was
like an opal. The cliffs stretched below
us, with every hue OF gold and bronze.
and hoary white, and soft grey; and here
and there a black rock, with livid shades
OF purple. and a bloom upon 1t like a
ravens wing. Rocky islets, never trod-
den by human foot, over which the foam
poured ceaselessly. were dotted all about
the ehangeful surface Of the water. And
Just beneath the level OF my eyes was
0livia's face-the loveliest thing there,
though there was so much beauty lying
around us.
Yes. It Is a lovely place" she assent
ed, q mischievous smile playing about her
lips
OLIVIA" | said, taking my courage by
both hands. 1T is only a month till my
wedding day"
Was deceiving myself. or did she real
" grow palerf II was but for a moment
II Il were so. But how cold the air felt
all in an instant! The shock was like