The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-08-27

pate the reserve. one hueW lHdt " JAIN
confidence you must be prepared to give
it. and strengthened herself to the task.
They were sitting together Is usual,
one each side of the window, sometimes
speaking, oftener silent. The day had
been sultry. and the windows were
thrown wide open to let in the little air
that was stirring. Mrs. Clayton had been
watching her for some time. At last she
spoke:
MY dear Winifred, you will go on
reading and dreaming about Oenone until
you have completely identified yourself
with that forlorn maiden"
Winifred turned her eyes dreamly to
the speaker. Il was not even thinking of
Oenone,' and then her hand closed the
book which had been open at her favor
lite poem.
Confess now-you are jealous of the
attention Lord Harold pays your cousin"
Winfred laughed gayly.
80, Fee, you are bad diviner of Sc
crets. | am waiting in daily hope that he
will propose to her. | could not fancy
two people better suited"
Il could
"Who, Fee?'
~ ourSef and Enrol Hastings"
80, Fee!' cried Winifred, with impa-
tent pain. why do you speak of him?
You know all is over between u.s.
Il should like to speak just this once,
dear; and if you will hear me, l will be
silent in future. | know that Enrol loved
you very dearly; cannot but believe you
cared for him. Do not let some foolish
trifle, some false pride, mar the happiness
of all your life!''
Mrs. Clayton spoke with intense earn
estness, and when she finished, tears of
passionate regret stood in Winifred's
eyes.
1T is too late, Fee. You do not I'M
derstand. Your words only make me
more miserable"
why too late?'
Because l behaved wickedly to him;
because he must despise me. and because
he will go and marry that French woman,
who loves him and lets him see it."
did you refuse him. them"
Don't ask me, Fee. | think my pride
blinded me. If l could atone for it now
| think l would ask him on my knees to
marry me. can't tell you the true story.
| know you love me and would not will
ngy pain me. l have sealed my fate
with my own folly. Do not ever speak
about it again"
1t was nearly the end of September
when Mr.. Hastings called one afternoon
at Endon Vale. AS he rode up the ave-
nue. he met Mrs. Clayton sauntering
down it.
Mr.. Hastings" she cried, with real
pleasure in her voice; II have wanted to
see you such long time"
He dismounted and walked along by
her side. leading his splendid bay horse.
There is nobody at home but me
they are all gone to picnic, and | should
have been with them but for one of my
bad headaches
1T is better now, trust. You do not
look ill.,"
"No; l am getting quite strong here.
Lady Grace is so good to me, and Wini-
fred" she added, looking sidelong at him
II think l never knew any one so sweet
and thoughtful
She noted the slightest culver of his
lip, but he said nothing-merely bent his
head as(though in polite acquiescence.
"Will you not come into the house"
she asked.
Not unless you are going" Ind they
went together into what was called the
avn garden.
Am to congratulate you?" she said,
looking up at him suddenly.
Congratulate me, Mrs. Clayton?' he
repeated after her. "On whatT'
II heard you were going to marry the
Princess Zelikoff."
"Then some one has been taking an I'M
warrantable liberty with the Princess
Zelikoff's name"
mot altogether unwarrantable, Mr..
Hastings"
Surely, yes. | am quite certain that
she never gave the slightest foundation
for such report"
Come, confess now that it looks rather
suspicious when gentleman takes lady
a cruise in his yacht"
"My dear Mrs. Clayton, what do you
mean"
Did not your cousin and the princess
accompany you on your yachting expedi-
| tion?'
"Most certainly not. No one went with
me but lie Marchant and Ashburton."
Mrs. Clayton looked rather blank, but
felt secretly pleased.
Then we have all been misinformed,"
she said. laughing. And. forgive my
pertinacity; but, seriously, you are not
engaged to the princess?"
Il am not. | feel greatly vexed that
there should have even been a discussion
about the matter"
Mrs. Clayton sat down on a garden
bench; she was silent for a moment, and
then, looking up in her companions face,
said, with some hesitation
"We are old friends. Errol-are we
not?"