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


greatly she had misjudged him. lie was
for the first time in his life unreasonahly,
bcvilderingly, in love, and his jud gmtnt
was mt war with his passion, Reflection
did not help him, either.
Il have heard he thought, "ot men
counting the world well lost for WON
ans sake. but | never realized the 1eel-
ipg until now. Now | feel that l would
give All | possess if | co1ld raise her to
NV position, or sink to hers. She Is only
\ bright. charming child yet, but what
divine womanhood she will grow into
when she begins to love. | cannot mag
inc any greater happiness than to look
into the depths of those heautl1ul eyes
and read there. i love you, or to take
those little. slender hands in mine, ana
hear the confession from her bps. But
could not trust myself to stay here ana
see her often; silence would be lmpossl-
bic. If it were not for our cursed Hast
ings pride | might tell her now. this very
day. how | love her. and marry her II
she would have me. But that cannot be.
Have all my ancestors kept their resolve
in spite of everything until now, and
shall be the first one to break it by my
weakness or cowardice? No! no! no.!
he thought. passionately-"the honor of
our house first"
And so Enrol made up his mind that he
would see Winifred no more-he would
not yield to temptation, or expose her to
disappointment, and when he passed the
next day with Miss Champion he kept
his face steadily averted from the Farm,
little guessing how bitterly the woman
he loved was commenting on his apparent
neglect.
Several days passed, and the house was
full of guests. Everyone declared that
Hazel Court was the most charming
country house to stay at, and that MIR.
Hastings was the perfection Of a host.
He and Lady Grace Farquhar made the
most delightful arrangements for the gen.
erdl amusement; and everybody was
amused and pleased in consequence. Miss
Champion and her brother were over at
the Court almost every day, somewhat
to the chagrin of Lady Ulrica st. Ego,
who had resolved to do everything in her
power to win Enrol Hastings. Her Sis
ter. Lady Angela, had similar intentions
toward Lord Harold Erskine. who was
ulllibSl llCn, lnOuSh uOt VI hNullS sum
old family.
One day. when Enrol had ordered his
four-in-hand to take the party driving, he
asked Miss Champion. who was sitting
on the box beside him, which way they
should go.
over the common and up the hill, |
think is the prettiest," answered Flora,
with the malicious design of passing the
Farm, that Winifred might see them.
Just as they came up to the Farm, Win
fired, who had been standing at the gate,
turned and walked away to the house.
Il say!" cried Lord Harold, what an
elegant woman! Miss Champion, you
are the great authority in the county
please tell me who that young beauty
isl
''She is a farmers daughter" said
Flora, coldly; and Enrol almost hated her
for saying it,
"A farmers daughter! | could have
sworn, with that figure and tournure, she
belonged to one OF the best families in the
county. l was just INDUCING a hope,
Hastings, that we should see her at the
ball. Do you know herr"
Yes" said Enrol, gravely, Il have
that honor
Gould you not invite herr" Lord Har-
old went on
Ask the ladies'" answered Enrol, with
an unwonted tinge of sarcasm, whether
they would consent TO the presence of
girl who was only farmers daughterw
Indeed. am sure would" cried Miss
Alton, who was too pretty to be jealous
but the others remained silent
Wmifred had turned away from the
gate with a swelling heart
He may not care for me-" thought
the poor child; but he need not come
past so often with his aristocratic friends
to show how far above me he isr'
The day before the ball, Enrol had
retired to his sanctum, after lunch, TO
write two or three letters, when there
came a gentle tap ut the door.
Come i'm and Lady Grace appeared
on the threshold.
VIII you pardon my intrusion?" she
said Il have always wished To see your
haunt and request | have TO make 10
YOU has at last given me fair pre-
text"
You might have taken my consent for
granted" he answered, with a pleasant
smile; but am quite content that you
should think II necessary to ask it, since
your scruple brings you here
My request relates in a measure To one
OF the dearest friends had, poor Wini-
fred Champion"
"ChampionT' said Hastings, interroga-
lively.
es, the daughter of old Sir Howard"
dld not know that there was another
daughter than Lady ValantOn."
es' but she made a mesalliance, and
Dir Howard. who is dreadful tyrant. has
never allowed her name to be mentioned
since. was very fond of her, poor girl.