The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-08-13
Col. d'Aguilar was silent.

COi. q AgulldT was Slicul.
what kept you away?" she repeated.
81 do not think l can tell you, Mrs.
Clayton"
do tell me-" she whispered, pressing
his arm ever so slightly.
Il tried very hard to make a sacrifice"
he answered slowly, land | failed"
what sacrifice"
"The sacrifice of my hearts desire to
your peace
Fee trembed and was silent.
.'Seer' she said. ''the fireworks are be-
ginning" and at that moment blaze of
| light shot forth into the skies and seemed
to ilumine the whole garden and river.
There was rustic garden bench standing
| in niche of arbutus and laurel.
Let us sit down." Mrs. Clayton said.
Il know your foot pains you.
Il was so disappointed when you did
not come" Fee said presently. Il had
| Just made up my mind to send for the
carriage and go home. | came alone, you
| know
Alone? l thought Mr.. Clayton was
to be here?'
'IIe would not come think he would
do anything rather than spend an hour in
4
not go on living like this she broke out
presently. My life is torment to me.
You told me once | should be miserable
! if | married him-are you glad your
words have come true"
Mrs. Clayton, what do you take me
| fori' he cried, moved to passion. Il
| glad-glad that you. whom | love with
heart, soul and strength. are tied to Il
brute who makes your life a pandemo-
mum upon earth-glad that you are part
ed hopelessly from me, and that | cannot
| lawfully stir finger to help you when
am ready to lay down my life for YOU
Forgive mev Fee said, quickly; Il did
not mean it. | feel so bitter-so mad
sometimes-I scarcely know what say"
Mrs Clayton" he answered hoarsely,
you must not say these things to me.
My blood is on fire at your wrongs and
your misery. You forget how badly, how
hopelessly l love you"'
II weighed your love in the balance
with Mr.. Clayton's money once" she
said slowly, land my choice has broken
my heart. ! am twenty. | have no hope
in the world" and an agonized sigh broke
| from her. Il know that after tonight
| dare not see you any more. If | had been
good or wise enough to remember my
duty, and keep from speaking of my mis-
cry to you, we might have gone on meet
ing as we have done. Tonight We shall
part forever"
"Do not say that, Mrs. Clayton. How
can | leave you to that mans brutality"
How can you protect me from it!'
she asked sadly.
He rose to his feet suddenly and stood
before her as pale as death
'Will you never be convinced" he
said. passionately, that my love for you
is beyond self-seeking, beyond doubt?
If you will it so, l will never seek you
again after tonight
Il think | am not we'll tonight am
over-tired." she said recovering herself;
''if you will have my carriage sent for,
will go home"
He went at once and did not return to
her until it was ready; then he gave her
his arm and led her away without an
other word She never looked at him
as he put her into her carriage, and wish
ed her grave goodnight; but when the
door was closed, and they had passed
through the gates. she threw herself back
in corner and sobbed such tears as she
had never wept from the hour she was
born until now. There were lights in
the dining room when she returned, and
she would have entered it. but the foot
man stood in the way with a frightened
face.
Not in there, if you please ma'am;
master dined at home, and has party Of
gentlemen"
At that moment there was a blinking Of
glasses, and a sound of laughter, in
which a shrill peal of woman's voice
was distinctly audible.
| Mrs. Clayton stood for a moment as if
turned to stone; then she went upstairs
without a word. 1t was evident she had
not been expected home so early.
She was too stupefed to think. 1t SEEM
ed as if some heavy blow had fallen on
her, and she scarcely realized it or knew
what it was. Her mind was exhausted,
and she slept heavily. The next day when
she rode in the park, as usual, every one
said:
How terribly i'll Mrs. Clayton looks!
She should not go out so much. or she
will be dead before the end of the sea-
SON.
Dear Fee" said Winifred, riding up,
'what ails you-you look worn Out?"
Il think yesterday was too much for
me-" Mrs. Clayton answered. Stop my
horse, Winifred.' and Mrs. Clayton
seemed for moment to reel in her sad
die. Winifred caught the bride, and
stopped her own horse.
"Oh Lord Harold she cried suddenly
to the gentleman who rode beside her,
"go to the other side of Fee, and hold
her up: she is fainting."
In a moment he had his arm round her,
| and had lifted her intn the saddle from