The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-08-06

seeing Mt. HASTINGS again, particularly
before Lord Harold; and then she won
dered if her name would be mentioned
between the two men. and If so, what
they would say about her. Mr.. Hastings
had an unpleasant recollection of Mr..
ClaytOns remarks about Miss Eyre 5
Irritation with Lord Harold Erskine, and
an uncomfortable sense of the latter S
present golden opportunities; and Lord
Harold remembered uneasily that some
thing had been said about Hastings and
Miss Eyre wandering together in the
HAZEL woods. BY common consent, then.
her name was avoided as much as posi-
be and the two men had plenty of other
topics for conversation. until the next
day. The following morning Lord Har-
old bethought himself Of calling on the
Champions. and Mr.. Hastings volunteer
ed to accompany him. They found Lord
Lancing and his sister playing croquet
with Flora and Reginald Champion, and
on invitation joined in the game. 1t was
curious enough that, although Flora look
ed handsome and used all the arts they
had once thought fascinating. both these
men contrasted her unfavorably with her
cousin.
The two gentlemen did not arrive at
Endon Vale until it was time to dress
for dinner. and only just appeared in
the drawing room as the gong sounded
for the second time. Sir Clayton gave
his arm to the old French lady. Mr.
Hastings took his hostess, and Lord Har-
old followed with Winifred. They sat
side by side at dinner, and Enrol felt as
10 h.. t,ly &c off hnr
She laughed and talked with Lord Harold
in low, almost caressing voice, Mr..
Hastings thought; and it made his blood
boil.
Enrol had, of course. never heard Miss
Eyre sing. When they went into the
drawing room he said to her:
Il hear you sing very beautifully, Miss
Eyre. Will you give me the pleasure of
hearing your voice.
Il do not think my singing would give
you any pleasure" she answered, coldly.
You are, of course, accustomed to hear
highly cultivated voices-mine is only a
rude, untaught, country one"
He drew back, wounded to the quick.
do come and sing, Winifred," ex-
claimed Lord Harold.
most touching, plaintive songs, one after
the other, with pathos that went to the
heart Of each one who listened. She new
er sang more beautifully than on that
night, and Enrol leaned against the en-
brasure of the window. where his face
was screened from observation, and
drank in every tone of the voice, which
was not only beautiful in itself, but
which he loved. He never loved her be-
fore or afterward as he loved her that
night, listening for the first time to the
exquisite tenderness of her voice.
When Winifred finally left the piano,
she passed close to the curtain, and Enrol
came forward. She spoke on the impulse
of the moment.
after all, my singing was not worth
your thanks"
You did not sing for me-" he answer
ed, bitterly.
Later, thinking over the events of the
evening, he found it an utter impossible
ity to arrive at any definite conclusion
as to the feelings and motives which in
fuenced Winifred's conduct toward him.
Was his presence really hateful to her?-
did she bear an unrelenting anger toward
him for his unworthy treatment of her
long ago?-and had every vestige of the
love he knew she had once borne him
died out?
BAH he thought, Il am a fool for my
pains. Is it possible that |, who am to
all intents and purposes man of the
world. should find myself eating my heart
out for the love of simple little coun-
try girl? Tomorrow shall decide my flu
ture course of action. and if | see she does
not care for me | will school myself to
meet her with Indifference"
At breakfast the following morning
both Sir Clayton and Lady Grace Far
day, and he consented.
And now," said Lady Grace, you
young people must go for a long ride this
lovely morning, and l shall shut myself
up with my husband and his learned
foliOs.'
Lord Harold went to order the horses
Winifred no longer rode the quiet old bay
horse, but a handsome chestnut Sir Clay
ton had bought for her. Until the previ-
Gus day Winifred had never in her life
been provoking or a firt. but of course
those qualities must have been dormant
somewhere in her heart, or they would
scarcely have cropped up like the drag
on's teeth at a moments notice. The
whole ride through she hattered and flirt-
ed with Lord Harold, and uttered little
malicious. biting remarks to Mr.. Hast
ings, with the most naive. unconscious
innocence.
The ride must have been fraught with
considerable enjoyment for Enrol. as ev-
cry turning. every fence. every heath
seemed TO bring to Winifred's mind
some agreeable "reminiscences connected
with her other companion. AS they were
nearing the park gates, a farmer stopped
n II lat. L.