The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-12-11

Rivers had an immense amount Oh TACT,
and was, besides, thoroughly conscious of
and grateful for the advantages which
her sisters kindness gave June. Tom
might have been a stumbling block but
that Mrs. Bryan had a rooted aversion to
marriages between first cousins-a feeling
which, as we know, was not shared by her
eldest daughter.
Tom arrived at the Rose Cottage, and,
finding Mrs. Rivers alone, was for mo-
ment conscious of q pang of dlsappolnt-
ment. when he suddenly bethought him
self how a tete-a-tete might be turned to
advantage.
Il want to say something to you-may
~ he asked; and Mrs. Rivers looked up
at him with the sweet smile which made
her sad face ten years younger all at once
"You may say anything you like"
Then Tom broke into his discourse:
"You know-I'm sure you know how
love June. Going away, and seeing all
these other women of whom my mother
thinks so much, has only made me love
and admire her ten times more; she is as
far beyond them as-as anything can be.
"That is indeed praise" said Mrs. Xiv
ers, who, in her heart of hearts. thought
it no more than her darling's due.
Its true. it's gospel true.' cried Tom,
with energy Then he faltered bit, but,
fighting with his diffidence, half conquered
it, and went on. Il am getting so unset
tied. | did not feel it so much before
went away, but now | feel as If must
have something to go upon. Do you-do
you," imploringly, think she cares at all
for me?-do you think she will marry me
some day."
Tom had the most sympathetic listener.
Mrs. Rivers felt for him, and knew what
he felt, but she would not say word
more than she conscentiously could.
"My dear boy" she answered him, not
without certain amount of hesitation in
her tone, II know exactly how you feel.
What you say is perfectly just and fair.
| don't think / need tell you how glad l
should be to have you for a son; there is
no man in the world to whom l would so
gladly give my darling. You have not
said anything to June since you came
back, have you?
II tried to last night, but she wouldn't
have it; she stopped me at once"
Mrs. Rivers paused a moment, then,
looking up at him, said:
"Will you leave it to me? Shall try
and find out what her feelings for you
are? You know girls, especially girls who
have been brought up quietly in the coun-
try like June, require rather delicate
treatment in the nature of their affec-
tons"
Yes replied Tom, ruefully.
"Then take my advice, and do not
breathe word to her on the subject this
afternoon. l will talk to her tonight,
and you will come and see me tomorrow
at twelve, when she will be away"
And here the form of Miss June was
seen tripping by the window, and the next
moment she came in like flood of sun
shine.
Have you brought my present, TOm?"
she asked, as soon as she had greeted him
and kissed her mother. Il have been
quite absent all the time of my singing
lesson, wondering and trying to guess
what it could be-"
Then Tom, little bit nervous how his
offering would be received, produced a
small parcel from his pocket. Miss June,
chattering all the time, deftly unfolded
the various wrappers, and then brought
her lips to a very round o, and looked
up with glistening eyes.
sob, Tom! oh, mamma v'-carrying it to
her mother. 1T is too handsome. l must
not have it, must IT'
II do not know what to say" answered
Mrs. Rivers, smiling. She felt that it de-
pended entirely on circumstances wheth-
err June might keep and wear so valuable
q trinket
Tho Ior onId 1nolot
with hieroglyph intended for June in
diamonds in the center.
"Why notT cried Tom, who had been
expecting a remonstrance. 1T is quite
simple. Besides, you must have it. 1t
wouldn't do for anyone else. 1t has got
June on it, and nobody else is called
June but you"
at is beautiful" smiled Mrs. Rivers,
land does the greatest credit to Toms
taste"
Tom was looking at his beloved's eyes
and lips; nothing could embelish her to
his mind.
81 suppose l must take it off again."
said the girl, wistfully; but Tom cried,
mo, no, no." and her mother said:
you might, at all events, wear it
little longer"
"And all this time" uttered Tom,
''you," to Mrs. Rivers, shave not seen
your present. And he dashed out into
the little hall, and produced a goOd-sized
parcel this time. 1t was pretty velvet
and gilt screen for photographs, and Mrs.
Rivers was as much pleased with her
Offering as June had been.
Now, Tom," cried the girl, with dane
ing eyes, II want to hear all about Lon
don-all-everything."
Il tell you what it is, June. l hate Lon
don society-there is so much sham and
ma ke- believe about it; no one seems to be