The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-07-09

a precious charge from her dearly below
ed sister.
Lady Marion was by this time married
to baronet of considerable wealth, but
she had no children and when Sir Mar
maduke Alton died, ten years after their
marriage, the title went to younger
brother. He was. however, able TO leave
her a handsome income for her life, and
Lady Marion Alton lived in very good
style She was devoted to her niece, VINO
she insisted should take her name; and
to prevent any inconvenience from their
both having the same Christian name
Lady Marion rechristened her pretty lit
tie niece Fee, and a very appropriate
name it was.
AT the time we write Fee Alton was
Is, and just through her first season. She
was small, but perfectly symmetrical; 1t
was only envy that prompted people to
say sometimes she was nothing but an
animated wax doll Everyone admired
and liked her, and she liked everyone In
return. She was the life and soul of a
party, with her quick wit and keen sense
of the ridiculous, and if she was little
malicious sometimes it was impossible to
be angry with her, she was always so
eager to atone for it.
As opposites frequently attract each
other, she was at the present time engag-
ed in a desperate Irritation with Col.
Ivers d'Aguilar, a tall, dark, melancholy
looking man (albet decidedly handsome,
who was very much in love with her. He
had been all through the Indian war, and
IL, ,rl
thin and worn, he was made quite hero
of by all the women, and looked his part
extremely well.
suppose that if two men from the OPP
posite poles had been brought together
under one roof, they could not have DIFF
fered more essentially than Col. d Agui-
lar and Mr.. Clayton. One was generous
in heart and mind, chivalrous to women,
irresolute, diffident in himself, and with
the courage of lion; the other-well, we
already know what Francis Clayton was.
And yet these two men had something in
common-a sentiment which in one was
tender chivalrous affection; in the other
a base, selfish passion. This sentiment
was love of Fee Alton. For the first.
absolutely the first time III his life. Mr..
Clayton was, as he confessed to himself,
in overwhelmingly in love with a pref
ty, little, malicious, teasing, impairment
fairy, and could not help himself.
Lady Grace's guests included Mr..
Frale, connection of her husbands, who
had recently come into a very good living,
but had strong sporting tendencies; Cap
tain Culloden, of the Guards very pla n,
quiet individual, with a good income and
I no
orable John Fieden, a universal and most
accommodating genius, who was always
happy to repay hospitality by making
himself agreeable, and amusing the com
pany.
These were the people whom Miss
Champion found assembled at Endon
Vale, and | think her first sensation on
being introduced to them was a slight
chagrin at finding no great people among
them.
Winifred had arrived at Endon Vale,
and was sitting in her room, dressed for
dinner, until Lady Grace should come in.
as she had promised, and take her down
stairs into the drawing room.
Mrs Champion had been prevented
paying visit to Lady Grace, as she had
but she, nevertheless, fulfilled
her promise of sending Winifred in her
carriage.
When the latter arrived she found her
kind hostess alone, all her guests being
away on an excursion to the neighboring
woods. They had spent a pleasant after
noon together, and just as the wheels of
the returning carriages were heard, Lady
Grace sent her young friend away to
dress, promising to call for her on her
way to the drawing room. This she did,
and when they entered the drawing room
there was no one in it but Lord Harold
Erskine, who came up Immediately to be
introduced.
Harold" said his aunt, 81 leave Miss
Eyre to your charge until dinner time, SO
do your best to amuse her."
Lord Harold forthwith devoted himself
to being agreeable to his new acquaint-
ance, and succeeded perfectly She felt
quite at her ease. and chatted gayly to
him. Presently the door at the further
end of the room opened and a magnif-
cent young lady, attired in sweeping lace
and silk. entered. The crimson color
flushed into Winifred's cheeks as she
recognized her naughty cousin. They
had never met since it had been agreed
the farmers daughter was to be noticed.
What will she do?" wondered Wini-
fred. Twill she speak to me, or will she
wait until Lady Grace introduces usT
(To be continued.D