The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-08-20

in her childlike dreams with all tHe TO
nance which she had read of or fancled.
Afterward it had been dearer still as the
home of the man who had been to her
a hero. a demigod The time came to her
when she had been the simple farmer )
daughter, so proud, so happy TO be no.
ticed by the handsome master of Hazel
Court. How her heart had sunk within
her as she saw him paying court to the
beautiful, aristocratic women who SEEM
ed then SO far above her; and how little
she had dreamed of the advent of time
when she should be more honored, more
longed-for guest than they?
Mr. Hastings came out to meet the par
ty of ladies who had ridden over to the
Court. He went up to Winifred hrst,
and took her in his strong arms and lifted
her from the saddle.
"Welcome!" he whispered; this is
time have often longed for"
One day she had ridden over to the
Court to rehearse with Lady Dora. Mr.
Hastings came in from drive and found
his cousin alone in the morning room.
Pray, don't come in, Errol," she ex-
claimed; Il must not be interrupted, or
Winifred will be ready first"
us Miss Eyre here, then?' he asked.
'Yes-in the picture gallery, l think.
She said she could study her part best
there
Mr.. Hastings left the room and turned
his steps in the direction of the picture
gallery. 1t was an intensely hot after
noon, and all the doors were thrown wide
open. He looked into the long. uncarpet-
ed room, and saw there a new picture
in new frame. He stood and gazed at
it longer and with deeper feelings than he
had ever gazed at any other picture
there; it was the only one that was not
hist was the only one he cared for or
desired ardently. Framed in the dark
oak of the window setting was 1.-The
graceful figure. half reclined, and a fair.
upturned face. Enrol half feared to break
the spell that he stood watching. Pres
emily Impotence overcame the fascina-
ton. He went toward her, and the noise
of his footsteps aroused her.
'Were you studying or thinking, Miss
Eyre?" he asked.
II hardly know, Mr.. Hastings. Think
ing, perhaps"
1T is too warm to study or think, eth
err. Have you ever seen the HAZEL por-
trait gallery?"
"Never"
'Should you like to see it?"
81 should. indeed"
"Come with me and will show 1t to
you. Wait a moment, though; must get
the key: always keep that room locked"
She waited, looking out of the window
4. tntIf In rsn-
turned She followed him and heard the
echo as he turned the massive key in the
lock. He stood aside moment for her
to pass, and then she heard the heavy
door close behind them. A feeling half
of fear crept into her heart. She dared
not turn; a dim consciousness of what
was passing in his mind seemed to over
shadow her. One by one she gazed at the
portraits on the wall, at the beautiful,
misunderstanding women and the stalwart
men, to some of whom the present MIR.
Hastings bore such striking likeness.
Presently she dropped her eyes from the
wall and turned to him. She began a
sentence and then paused abruptly blood
red with confusion at the intensity of his
gaze. He put his hand on hers and es-
sayed to draw her toward him, but she
turned sharply away, trembling and
frightened.
my love, my darling" he cried, in a
deep, strong voice. ''do not let US misun-
derstand each other any longer. You low
ed me once; you do love me still, little,
| believe. Why should there be mistrust
and constraint between us?'
His words were very sweet in her ears,
but the false pride that had tormented
her so long would not let her be happy
even now, at the crisis of her life. She
drew herself away.
"You have seen the wives that all the
former Hastings have chosen-some no.
BILE, all fair. | swear before heaven none
of them have been loved and revered as
you shall be if you will be the last of the
race! o, my darling. do not let false
pride make all our lives one long bitter
ness"
Tears came into her eyes-large tears
that gathered and brimmed over, running
down the fair face and making it sad.
II loved you once" she half sobbed-
'loved you with all my heart, as | could
never love again. | was only poor, lit
tie country girl then; you were a hero
and god to me, something different from
any one l had seen before, and because
| was simple and ignorant, and-loving,
you despsed me, and you treated Miss
Champion with honor and courtesy be-
cause she was fine lady, and-and you
thought was only farmers daughter
And Winifred sobbed with passionate
Indignation at the remembrance of her
wrongs Mr.. Hastings was fairly angry.
Her tears moved him TO impatience.
''Will you never cease upbraidfng me?''
he exclaimed. Have not atoned to you
enough? Have | not humbled myself be-
fore you as | believe in truth none of our
70 90 nrnr hum hlad himself hafora2 Once