The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-11-05

not deserve that you should; but con
fess had hoped you would overlook it by
this time, for l am sincerely sorry for
my impertinence."
The young girl made no reply at first,
the suddenness of all this astonished her.
Hugh Lamonte stood silently regarding
him with a half-angry, half-perplexed
air. He doubted whether to put faith in
the fair declaration of Gasparde.
Cousin Rose" said the latter again,
deprecatingly, Il promise you that | will
never behave so impertinently again. l
wish you would try to forget my inso-
lence, and forgive me-"
Rose looked up.
'Since you are sincerely repentant,
Gasparde," she said, Il will endeavor to
do both" And then she resumed her
work.
And you also, sir?" said Gasparde,
turning to Hugh.
THE less said about that the better"
returned Hugh, dryly; "but you may be
grateful to Rose for forgiving you, which
is more than you merit. And now, if you
wish to say anything to me, you must
come into the garden, for l am going
there" And picking up his tools, he
went out, without saying another word
Gasparde followed, with dOwncast eyes
and humbled manner; and Rose, truly
confident in his sincerity, was almost
sorry that her father treated him so I'M
graciously. She had some curiosity to
know what could be his business with her
father; but that was impossible. They
ii -. ~
perhaps half an hour; then both re-enter-
ed, Hugh saying to his companion:
''Well-well: come again tomorrow,
and, meanwhile, l will think about it."
When Hugh had shut the door and
come back into the room Rose could not
but see that he was more thoughtful and
gloomy than before. All day he preserv-
ed the same moody air; and Rose was
unhappy, alike in being unable to divine
the cause of his increased perpleXity and
trouble, or to alleviate it. He had not
yet made any allusion to the object of the
marquis recent visit; but she knew that
he was thinking of it continually. She
knew, however, that she should only an
noy him by seeming to notice his mystic
rious detection, and so she became silent.
In the afternoon, Robin came as usual,
after his days work was done, and Rose
even persuaded herself that he, too, SEEM
ed somewhat serious. He went out into
the garden with her father, and thence to
the field; and she could see them standing
there, as if talking together, for long
time. They did not work as usual. At
length, however, they left their post and
came slowly up through the garden. They
were conversing STILL
What is it about, | wonder?" asked
the young girl, mentally.
The two entered. Robin did not speak;
but Hugh advanced straight to Rose
Rose" he said, gently, there is our
good neighbor Robin, who wishes to mar
ry you. What do you say to it?"
"Wishes to marry me?" iterated the
young girl, faltering and blushing.
Exactly. Is it not sufficiently plain?"
Rose was silent, her eyes cast down to
the floor and her fair cheek reddening
still deeper. The tears fast gathered in
Hugh turned away, and, with folded
arms, paced the room. Robin came to
her side.
Dear Rose" he said, softly, taking
her hand, your father has told you what
have asked him. 1t is true that 1 wish
to marry you, if you are willing. did
not think you dislked me. Will you show
me that you do not"
She did not answer, but sat with her
eyes still cast down, and her hand in his.
81 know, dear Rose" he said, again,
'that l am asking a great deal. l came
here only few weeks ago, and 1 was
a stranger. l came seeking for work, and
found it. l am poor and have yet no
home of my own, but that. / trust to have
some day. I love you, Rose, and l ask
you if you will promise to marry me
when l am rich enough to buy little
farm of my own"
"But-my father?" she hesitated, rails
ing her eyes sorrowfully, as she thought
of his loneliness. MONO; cannot leave
him.
Rose" said Hugh turning to her, "the
future Is not in your hands. Do not think
of me. If you love Robin sufficiently we'll
to marry him, answer him at once. All
will be WELL"
''Then l will marry you, Robin" she
said in low tone.
you will forget that l am poor, and a
stranger?'
II do not need to forget It," was her
answer. And her glance Of timid, af-
fectionate confidence was raised to his.
He bent forward with a thrill of mex
pressible delight, and pressed his lips to
those of the blushing girl.
And you will never break your prom
Use, though you should meet with trial
and temptation and dangerT'
"No. payar-npyar Robin. Rut hy
do you fear-and what?"
II cannot tell you, Rose. But 1t will
be long time before we can marry, per-