The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-11-27
CHAPTER Xxx.

There was quite crowd around the
pier as the Pinafore came slowly
in to take away her first load of con-
valescents. They were gathered in lit
tie knots about the beach. and as
passed through them heard the same
old murmurs of discomfort, but now
mingled with loud complaints of the
injustice of sending woman and her
children, who had the smallpox,
straight from the hopital Enclosure,
while they, only suspects, had been
kept week after week, and, for all
they knew, would be kept for weeks
to come.
''Who are going?" | asked as l came
up with our old superintendent, whose
thirty years reign here was closed so
suddenly and so ANONYMOUSLY by the
Royal Commission three months later.
Mrs. Warren and her family, Char
ley and the nurse" replied he, with
grunt that expressed his dissatisfac-
ton at the whole arrangement, and
added: There's some favoritism go
ing on, doctor, know"
In a few moments, Mrs. Warren,
who had throughout acted we'll the
part of a widow, and her supposed
orphans, appeared in sight. Notwith-
standing their jealousy, there were but
four people looking on whose hearts
were not moved by the mournful pro-
cession, as it wendell it's way down the
steep cliff that led from the hospital
Enclosure. The Government had sent
down an outfit of mourning for each
of them, and as they flourished their
white handkerchiefs (the mother, as
an affective feature in the part she
was playing, the eldest girl, l am sure,
from real sorrow, the rest probably
from the force of example, every heart
(but FOUR was moved, and some of
the women and children to actual
tears. And the four exceptions were:
First Miss Milne, who saw the en-
barkation, l had no doubt, but from
what outlook l had no idea; Warren,
who from the early morning had taken
UP his position amid some rocks well
away toward the Heads; Charley, who
on the veranda of the police station
was wishing his mates goodbye; and
myself, standing with one foot on the
boat and one foot on the pier, waiting
to help them on board.
When the children were comfort
ably settled, drew Mrs. Warren aside
to the top of the pier.
Are you going back" | asked, ito
your old quarters in Sussex street,"
Il think so, doctor; have nowhere
else to CO."
well. at any rate" said, after
pause you had better, directly you
are settled, send me a note to the
Australian Club, saying where you
are, and stay quiet until come, which
will be within week. If the Govern
ment agent calls on you, take nothing
in final settlement until l have seen
you; take enough, though to keep you
going; Warren will not be able TO
come near YOU"
"All aboard" the captain shouted,
as led her back to the boat.
Just then Charley came rushing
down and jumped over the side.
"All aboard" again shouted the
captain, and then Charley with hur-
ried glance around, stepped on to the
pier again.
Where is she doctor?" he whis-
pered.
81 don't know. Charley; have you
heard nothing of her?"
Well" said Charley, 81 can't say
| haven't heard of her, for | saw her
late last night, over at the ocean side.
Just as she left she gave me three
letters, and a beautiful ring to wear
in memory of her; one letter for me,
which am not to open till get over
to Sydney. one to be posted in Sydney
to you, and one to go to Colonel Pei
ham. I'll give you yours now, doc
tor, but you mustn't read it now"