The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-03-05
CHAPTER XIV.


spoke during dinner, and, when it was
! over, went away to his own ROOM He
did not mention Dallas name, or make
any inquiry about his departure. June
was perfectly conscious of these signs of
displeasure, but sort of apathy had
stolen over her; it seemed as if nothing
mattered very much. In few days, per-
haps, she would feel differently and then
she would set to work to propitiate her
husband.
In reality Tom felt himself deeply ag-
grieved. 1t took long time to get an
idea into his head, but once it was there,
still longer time was needed to dislodge
it. Why should June have wanted to go
to London to bid Dallas goOd-by again,
unless she took much greater interest
in him than she had any right to! AS
for him, of course, he had been at his
Internal tricks again; and Tom ground his
teeth. Oh, how mistaken, how mistaken
he had been in June.
Well he must put up with it now, he
h supposed; anyhow, the boy was left to
him, and they two would be all in all to
each other, please God! There would be
no one to come between them for the next
twenty years or So at all events.
Day followed day, and still that apathy
was in June's veins. She who was wont
to be so active sat listless and idle and
took scant interest in anything.
At last the papers recorded the arrival
of the Guards at Alexandria, and, after
that, June looked every day eagerly for
news. She was not, as rule, given to
reading the papers, but now, the moment
they came, she seized upon them eagerly.
This also Tom remarked with displeasure.
Her husbands altered demeanor was by
no means lost on June; she began to feel
that their estrangement was serious
thing.
Agnes, who came occasionally to the
Hall, had every opportunity of seeing the
estrangement between husband and wife;
indeed, June took special occasion to be
captious and frigid to Tom in the presence
of that sainted creature.
When Madge returned from visit she
had paid to Mr.. Carslake's sister she ex-
perienced a sense of CONSERVATION at see
ing the state of affairs.
"Juny, darling" she exclaimed, what
on earth is the matter with you and Tom?
This sort of thing will never do. You
are more like two strange cats than the
two devoted people you used to be-"
oh" returned June, bitterly, that is
the way with married people. You and
your Mr.. Carslake will be just the same
in a few years time
"Never!' cried Madge, with immense
emphasis.
'He will tire of YOU" said June. Il
don't believe men have any affection. AT
all events, it does not last"
"Juny," uttered Madge, wistfully, do
you know, don't think it can be all
Toms fanlt? think you must have done
something to change him."
What have l doneT' flashed out June.
"You will be angry, I'm afraid, if l tell
you what l think" said Madge, slightly
embarrassed.
June looked at her expectantly.
II think" faltered Madge, 81 know it is
absurd, but do think Tom Is jealous Of
Dallas"
Then Lady Nevil fulfilled Madge's pre-
diction by evincing great anger at such
an utterly ridiculous and unwarrantable
assertion, and Madge was compelled to eat
her words and express the sincerest con-
triton for having suggested anything so
impossibly and wickedly absurd. Madge
was so extremely happy herself about this
time that she had little or no leisure in
which to occupy herself with her cousins
concerns. Mr.. Carslake was at the rec
tory, and was to spend a week at the Hall
later.
The marriage was fixed for the middle
of September. Sir Thomas and Lady
Nevil were to go to their place in the
North the second week in October There
had been no visitors at the Hall this sum-
mer June had felt scant inclination to
play the part of hostess, and Tom was
never very keen about having guests in
the house. Mrs. Elesmere was at HON.
burg, and had been there ever since they
gave up the house in Grosvenor street.
Mrs. Trevanion was the only person who
had been hidden. She, however, had 9TH
err engagements, but promised to come for
Madge's wedding and to stay a fortnight
after it. To this visit June looked for
ward amazingly.
Madge was far too much occupied with
her own affairs to continue her system
of espionage over her sister. and June
had grown not to care-only to feel a sort
of contemptuous Indifference. ''If it
amuses them to be together and to abuse
me, let them! What does it matterP'
Her soul was harassed by what she read
in the papers-the hardships the troops
were enduring, the privations, the heat.
ITO be continued.)