The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-01-29

LON STOOD Dy the DeOSlue Wlun an agOH-
lied face. The doctor was bending over
the child, who was waxen pale and with
closed eyes.
A sort of paralysis crept over June.
Tom did not move forward to greet her;
his eyes, having met hers as she entered,
returned to their agonlzed watch. She
went mechanically toward him.
What is it," she whispered.
81 knew it from the first he muttered.
81 always said so. | knew London would
be the death of him..
A sense of guilt and despair stole over
June. Ten minutes ago there had scarce
~ been happier woman living than she,
and now terror and misery ingulfed her,
every pleasant thing in life seemed ire
trievably gone from her forever.
All night she and Tom watched by the
child's cot. Not satisfied with one opin-
ion, Tom sent for the first physician in
London. He, too, looked grave, but
spoke reassuringly and hoped the boy
might take a favorable turn.
Once during that long and miserable
night June went and put her arms round
her husbands neck and leaned on his
breast with stifed sobs, and he clasped
her kindly, but she felt instinctively that
he was holding her responsible for this
awful calamity.
When she was alone for a moment with
the doctor she asked him in imploring
tones whether London was the cause of
the child's Illness and he answered dis
tinctly in the negative. 1t might have
happened anywhere.
But June did not dare even to say this
to Tom; she knew it would be waste of
time and energy to attempt to convince
him, so firmly was his mind fixed on this
one idea. Oh, please God, they should
get the boy over this, and never, never
again should he set foot in the accused
city!
Young Tom got over the crisis, and,
with his father and mother, returned to
the Hall on the fifth day after his at
tack. Though most of the servants were
left behind in Eaton Square it was almost
an understood thing that neither Sir
Thomas nor her ladyship would go back
there. Sir Thomas was perfectly certain
that he would not, and her ladyship did
not feel as though, after the misery of
those few days, she should ever care TO
see London again. 1t was only by Mrs.
Ellesmere's persuasion that they decided
not to give up the house and move the
whole establishment back at once to the
Hall.
In a weeks time Tom junior was re-
stored to his usual robust health, and Tom
senior to happiness and his wonted level
spirits. He felt like prisoner let loose;
it was almost worth while to have suf-
fered the discomfort to enjoy this blessed
freedom
June, her mind being treasured about
her child, began to feel somewhat dull.
and to think with a certain regret of the
pleasant things she had left behind; and
as for Madge, her eyes were red with
crying, and she wore a woebegone look
quite unusual to her bright face
Il know l am very silly and very self
ish,' she said to June one day, but it
has been such an awful disappointment
to me-"
And with this she burst into tears. Tom
came in at the same moment.
why, Madgyv' he cried, with sincere
concern, whats the matter, my dear?"
Poor child" answered June, ''she is so
disappointed about her visit to London"
The same evening at dinner Sir Thomas
observed to her ladyship:
1--WE been thinking it over, Juny, and
it seems rather a shame TO disappoint
Madge poor little girl Why should not
you go back to town with her for fort
night or three weeks? The servants and
horses are there doing nothing, and we
shall have to pay for the house all the
same. And" looking at her, you enjoy
it so much yourself, it seems a pity you
should be done out of it,"
Il do not feel as if | should care for it
nOw," June answered.
Tom, however preached the subject to
Madge; implored and entreated so earn
estly that her ladyship yielded. 1t is I'M
derstC.. II that Tom will not accompany
them, -. even go up to London for sin
gle day, and this in June's eyes deprives
the prospect of any pleasure.
Once there, however, Madge is so wild
ly pleased and happy that her spirits are
infectious, and June, if half the gilt is
stripped from her gingerbread, still man
ages to be tolerably happy and amused.
June and Madge were particularly fond
of the play. One evening Colonel Afford,
Mrs. Ellesmere's brother and Dallas were
to dine with them and take them to see
popular piece.
Just before dinner note came by
hanson for Lady Nevil
Twill you excuse me from dining?" it
said. Il will join you at the play. l am
so very sorry, and hope l am not putting
you to Inconvenience"
This was from Dallas.
The piece had begun some time before
he made his appearance, and June was
startled to see how white and unlike him
self he looked.
''Are you H." she whispered, as he sat
down by her. why did you come, if you
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