The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-07-23

CHAPTER IX.-(ContinuedO

m. Lady Marion Alton on being IN
formed of her nece's engagement had
come to Endon Vale and carried her OH
- London, and thence to pay visit TO
berkshire. Francis Clayton had left the
day before for London. Miss Champion
had stayed on, in the hope of winning
back Lord Harold to his allegiance; but
now that she found each day attracting
him more and more to her cousin, she
could endure it no longer. The visit to
Lady Grace from which she had antlcl-
pated such great results. had been
fraught with the most bitter moruhca-
ton.
That same evening while Lady Grace
WAS in her own little sanctum reading
Winifred knocked at her door and, in an
swcr to her come in, the girl went Ill
and shut the door.
Lady Grace looked M and smiled
kindly. and then she looked again. NInl-
fred did not seem bright and beaminE
us was her wont-she was nervous, ana
there were tear stains on her face.
What is it, my love? You have been
CRYING There was such tender soici-
tude in the tone that it was too much for
the girls overstrung nerves, and the tears
came thick and fast
80 Lady Grace. | am so grieved"'
"Greved. my child? You have not hid
bad news from home"
''Oh, no, not that; but | am so afraid
you will be angry with me and never for
give me. 1t is about Lord Harold Frs
kline" Winfred said, nervously, and a
sudden chill came into the heart of the
elder lady, for she was very fond Of her
nephew.
About Harold, my dear?'
Lord Harold asked-asked me to mar
ry him this morning; and, oh, Lady
Grace, am so sorry"
Sorry that he asked you to marry
him.
"Eecausc-indeed. Lady Grace, never
drcamt of such thing-l thought his
position made him 50 far beyond me. |
thought he was kind to me, just from
gencrous-min ledness like You. that l
might not feel strange at coming into
society | was not used to-
Then YOU do not love him.
Il DO like him very much could. not
help it, he is so good-but, oh. dear Lady
Grace | could not marry him" and the
tears rained down.
"Then you have refused him?"
81 told him the truth could not de-
ceive him."
And then all of a sudden it flashed on
Lady Grace Farquhar's mind that there
was something noble and high-minded i'll
this girls refusing such a position and
such wealth because she did not love the
man. A more worldly minded woman
would have held such romantic folly i'll
contempt. and thought the girl fool
for her pains; but not so Lady Grace
Still there was momentary struggle in
her heart before she rose from her seat
and kissed Winifred.
My love-" she said sweet!y, II think
you have done quite right, if you feel sure
in your own mind that you cannot love
him. But are you quite sure? Harold is
kind and good; he is handsome, and is
rich-ought you not to weigh everything
in your mind thoroughly before you de-
cide?'
Il like him, respect him, but do not
love him-I cannot marry him" conclud
. ed Winifred. piteously.
Every well, my dear, | will say NJ
more. | am sorry. for my boys sake, ant
should have been we'll content to have
you for a niece"
And then the kind-hearted woman took
the Sohbing girl in her arms and Wini
fred laid her head on the kind breast
and cried TO her hearts content. There
was a good deal more talk before the TIVE
parted, and it was settled that Winifre(
should go home the next day but one
IL. 81,
she should pay Enlon Vale another visit
when Lord Harold should have left. Blu
Lord Harold left that very day, after see
ing ami confling in his aunt. His part
ing words were:
Aunt. DO You think there is any hop'
that she will ever come To care for me?'
Lady Grace kissed his forehead an,
stroEei his head very tenderly.
Il cannot tell, my boy, but am afrai,
not"