The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-06-25

|
there by half-past nine, so thinks l, IL
! Miss Eyre II just step round ABOUT Ten
/ o'clock I could let her into the little
/ garden that the ballroom looks into, anu
she could see all the gay dolngs without
soul being the wiser
"Thank you, Hawkins" said Wlnifred,
gently; lit was very good of you to think
Oh me-"
As Winifred went on her way she was
terribly hurt at a proposal so injurious
| to her dignity; but it was impossible for
her to feel any annoyance with the man,
who had evidently spoken from sheer
goodwill and the wish to afford her
pleasure. But the idea of her, Winifred
Eyre, going to look in surreptitiously at
window to see the upper classes anus
! Ing themselves was dreadful offense to
| her pride.
After ALL" whispered Curiosity, why
| should feel so bitter at the thought OF
| being only a spectator of this grandeur!
| | shall never be able to participate in it,
and why should refuse an opportunity
| have so often coveted, of seeing a really
grand ballT
Then she fell into a train of thought.
IF | had only the advantage of being
! Sir Towards granddaughter, that Flora
| Champion has-if | could have met 1lr.
| Hastings in society, and ridden ana
danced with him as she has done, l think
| could have made him love me; but as
farmers daughter, what chance have L
with an admired, arstocratic beauty?'
Here words failed her, and she sat
I'down ON the bank in the lonely woods,
and the tears streamed down her face.
So intent was she on her misery that she
did not hear footsteps approaching her,
| and when a mans voice sounded tenderly
in her ears, saying, Miss Eyre, are you
| in trouble?" she started, bluShing, to her
| feet.
Mr.. Hastings" she exclaimed, covered
with confusion and crimson shame; but
somehow the sight of his handsome face
banished the memory of her sadness, and
bright smile came into her eyes.
Il am so glad to see a smile again."
Enrol said, with the tenderest intiexion
of his voice, Il could not bear to see you
| in distress"
when people have not very much to
occupy their minds" Winifred answered,
they are rather subject to fits of de-
preston, without adequate cause. l envy
| you almost now-you are so busted in en-
pertaining and amusing people, you have
| no time for regrets"
mo time for regrets!' echoed Mr..
| Hastings; ''for the last three weeks my
life has been one unceasing, haunting re-
greet"
Winifred looked up into his face in
quiringly.
1T is a trouble cannot ask anyone to
| share-you least of ALL" he said, after
pause.
A voice was heard calling, Hastings,
| Hastings"
In an instant he had taken her hand,
| kissed it passionately, and was gone.
| Winfred turned away quickly, and went
on her way to the cottage. She was trem-
| bling confused, glad, surprised. She
scarcely knew what her real feelings
were. But as Hawkins proposal re-
| CURED to her mind, she determined to
| accept 1t.
When she arrived at the cottage, she
| found Lady Grace, as has been described.
| When she had accompanied her to the
| pony carriage, she returned to the little
| drawing room.
Dear madame" said Winifred, kneel-
ing beside her old friend, and half hid
| ing her face. 81 want you to take me to
the Court tomorrow night"
The Court!' exclaimed Madame de
| Montolieu, in overwhelming surprise;
has Mr.. Hastings, then, invited you to
| his ball?"
"Oh. no, not that" Winifred answered.
quickly, with a deep blush. Tonight.
as | was coming here, Hawkins met me,
, and asked me if l should like to see the
| ball. He said he would let me into the
| little garden under the ballroom, and
there would be no one else there. At first
| was angry at the idea, but have chang
ed my mind; and, oh, madame" she con-
| cluded, earnestly, 81 do so want to 60"
| Madame de Montolieu looked at her
with impossible establishment. She al
most failed to believe her senses when
| proud Winifred Eyre made such a re-
quest.
Il know it must seem strange TO you,
Winifred said, imploringly; you think l
am forgetting my pride, and my self
esteem; but l have a reason-indeed
| have"
"Winifred" cried Madame de Monte
lieu, in panied voice, you are think
ing too much of this Mr.. Hastings"
She caressed the head that lay in her
| lap pitifully and tenderly while she said:
Il viii go with You if you wish it,"
The next evening, shortly before ten
O'Clock, Winifred and her companion,
cloaked and yelled, appeared at the little
garden gate. The faithful Hawkins was
waiting for them, and, true to his prom
Use. not another person was to be SEEN
He had placed two chairs for them behind
a clump of laurels, and as the ballroom