The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-12-18
CHAPTER III.

"Come here my darling" said her
mother. II want to talk to you. 1t is
about Tom"
HAS he been talking to your cried
June, flushing up. How unfair of him.
He promised me not to say a word to any
one for six months"
do you want to have any secrets from
meT' asked Mrs. Rivers gently.
But said June, in troubled voice,
chow can promise anything when l do
not know my own mind? | like him
am very fond of him-I wish he was my
brother; but am sure" with a little in
voluntary shudder, that l do not love
him."
1t was impossible to approach the sub
ject of Tom any more that evening, but,
as Mrs. Rivers had invited him to come
and hear the result of her embassy, she
felt it absolutely necessary to have some
thing to tell him. She therefore attacked
the subject when June came into her room
next morning and the result of the inter
view was that June promised to weigh
and consider the matter seriously for the
next few months, and that on Christmas
day she would either consent to be en-
gagged to Tom, or would finally tell him
that he must abandon all hope.
Tom came to the Rose Cottage in the
highest spirits and went away crestfallen;
he had expected wonders from the inter
cession of June's mother indeed, he had
almost dared to hope that June would be
waiting with smiles and bushes and her
mind prepared to accept him. Now he
was absolutely not one step nearer than
before. June had already promised that
six months hence she would consider the
matter il was the thought of that harass-
ing delay, and the uncertainty at the end
of it, which had prompted his appeal to
Mrs. Rivers. He was dreadfully morti
fed at what she told him.
Mrs. Rivers felt for him-felt, too, as if
she had been to blame i'll not having been
more successful mediator.
.'You must remember, Tom," she urged,
gently, that June is only eighteen, and
has seen nothing of life yet
Il suppose it will never be-" he said, at
last, turning with a sigh that seemed to
rend his broad chest.
~ should be sorry if thought so,' an
swered Mrs. Rivers, softly. But" with
an encouraging smile, Il cannot share
your gloomy views
as there anything in the world l could
do to make her like me?' he said.
'You will be rather surprised if l tell
you what your best plan would be-
"What?"-eagerly.
'1rry not to let her see that you are so
devoted to her"
81 could not act part" he answered.
sand surely deceit is not the way to a
good woman's heart"
Not long afterward Tom took his leave
He was going to the rectory to ask his
aunt to give him some luncheon: he could
not keep away from June any more than
the moth can help circling round the light.
At first he walked slowly and with down
east eyes, but as he drew nearer the spot
where his love was, his feet involuntarily
stepped out faster and hope began to
smooth his ruiiled brow. Just within the
gate he met Agnes, basket and scissors in
hand cutting flowers She smiled at him
very sweety, for she had two smiles, one
when she was really pleased and happy
and another when she was spiteful or an
noyed and wished to conceal her feelings.
~ am so glad you have come, " she said,
and pulled off garden glove to give him
her hand. "You won't mind holding this
basket for me, will youT
Tom took the basket. He always felt
obliged to do what Agnes asked, because,
utterly devoid of vanity though he was,
he could not help being aware that she
was fond of him in something more than a
cousinly way; so he was especially care
full not to slight her.
''By the way" he remarked, Il have
brought you and Madge fairing from
London. l may as well give you yours
now" And he produced a gold bangle
wrapped in tissue paper.
'Oh. Tom, how kind you arer' said Ag-
mes. You never forget any one. How
beautiful! 1t is really too much"
But all the time she was jealousy Won
dering what he had brought June: for. il
June's present were handsomer or costlier
il would take all the pleasure out of hers
PUT it on my arm" she said; and then
looking up and letting a little tremor steal
into her voice, she murmured:
You know, dear Tom, how l shall prize
this"
"Oh,' replied Tom, briskly, lit is quite
q trife. am glad you like it. Ill go and
find Madge and give her hers"
Tom hurried to the spot where June and
Madge were playing lawn tennis. Madgt
greeted him with loud welcome. June wa,
n trihe distant. She wished him to know
that she was displeased at his having pre
snmed TO speak TO her mother. and he no
ueed the change in her manner. guessed
the cause of il, and. foolish fellow, wa
much east down and humbled.