The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-09-18
MISS MILNE AND |.


the STATEN to Lewis Villa, on the
| Saturday succeeding the scene last re-
corded, 1t wa, with a feeling overhang-
ing me altogether unlike anything
had before experienced. | knew some
thing dreadful was going to happen; it
might be misunderstanding with
Ei.:h, it might be demand from her
father the denified colonel, for an ex-
plalation ;for Edith might have told
him of the change in my letters); it
might possibly be a postponement of
the wedding, but it could not be, not
was altogether utterly out of the queS-
ton That my engagement could be
broken off.
However my worst fears were not
realized. Nothing was said to me
about the matter uppermost in my
mind until Edith and | were alone in
the parlor after dinner, and then she
questioned me in such a gentle man
ner that took heart of grace and told
her the whole story of my troubles.
ran rapidly through the story had
to tell, without evoking any sign or
mo, emert from her until | reached
the fatal letter. Then slight spasm
that ran through her and the increased
rapidity Of her breathing told me that
her native instinct had already OWNED
tho end. But she did not move until
had finished. Then she arose slowly
frcm hti seat and, looking up from the
fire with slight change of color, as
the only external sign Of the terrible
shock she had received, said:
II suppose if there had been any
doubt about this woman's hold over
-. l. 81 ho
question"
"Yes--yes, it does" replied.
Now, Allan, tell me what is the
worst thing that could happen if she
did her worst?"
TT loss of you, my queen!'
groaned. And in the terror of the
thought | rushed toward her. She
gently pushed me back.
There is no time for love-making.
Allan. We must think how to defeat
this-this-I suppose | must call her a
woman. But now, Allan, answer my
question definitely. What is the worst
thing that could happen?'
IF jury convicted me as they most
certainly would, should get seven or
fourteen years penal servitude.'
There is just one other question |
SlOCiu line 10 dSh yOu, anu IhoC 49,
do you think that the goodness of
heart. the kindness to her neighbors
that you spoke of. was real or part or
her diabolical scheme?"
And that. Edith, is about the only
question that | could not have made
some attempt toward answering. The
character of this woman is, I believe,
beyond all fathoming. 1t appears to
tl.n@ I@Nt Of
powers of evil thought her worth fight
ing for and the battle resulted in a
compromise There is no height of
goodness that | do not believe her ca
pable of reaching, and, as we know.
there is no depth OF deviltry to which
she could not sink"
Then the case is not hopeless one,
Allan. think | can set this matter
right myself"
"You-you, child?"
Eyes, even l, Allan. You tell me
there Is no height of goodness to which
this young woman cannot attain, You
evidently believe that her good deeds
were genuine You say the spirit of
good has part possession of her. IL
this is so, I'm sure could make her re-
lax this terrible hold she has over
YOU"
Edith. l don't understand you. Is it
possible that you could dream of see
ing this woman yourself, after all
have told you? | would not allow you
to go into the same street with her If
| could help it. And if were black
guard enough to let you undertake
such a mission, do you imagine for a
moment your father and mother would
give you permission"
For few SECONDS she was silent
and then apparently recognizing the
impossibility of the scheme, she looked
quietly up and with sigh said:
"Ah, well. Allan. suppose there's
nothing for it but to walt for few
days and let events develop them
selves"
And then coming over to me, she put
hand on each shoulder and, looking
straight into my eyes, said:
"You must not talk again of losing
me. and you must not think this so
very dreadful. Together we will de-
wise some method of beating her. but
don't let us talk any more about it to-
night"
| Nor did we, but held together by that
firmest of all bonds-a mutual sorrow,
helped by the consciousness. on her
s,de, that | had suffered greatly. and
on mine. that she of all women was
the most heroic and noble. we spent an
hour in the silent, or almost silent. &C.
stasy of love.
When, at last. very significant
"Ahem!" from upstairs told us that we
must part once more. We returned for
a moment to the consideration of the
great question and decided that we
should await the development of
events-that in the meantime neither
Colonel nor Mrs. Pelham was to be told