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


Toms eleven. thanks to Dallas, had won
glorious victory. The guests were gone
from the Hail. 1t was lovely afternoon,
with n soft west wind.
Never had June looked to such advan-
tage as she did that evening at dinner.
There was lovely color in her cheeks,
new light in her eyes; her voice had a
joyous ring; she seemed to be an incarna-
ton of pleasure and happiness.
would not you young people like to go
into the garden?" said Mrs. Ellesmere
the moment dinner was over, and they
obeyed her suggestion with alacrity.
"Let us get into the boat" whispered
Dallas; and June gave radiant assent.
Twilight was creeping on, all nature was
hushed; they might have been the only
two living creatures ON earth. And, for
the time being they would have been con-
tent to have the world to themselves. To-
night June knew the difference that the
society of another human being can make
to all life, to all nature-knew how it can
fill every moment with strange, heaven
ly rapture, marred only by remembering
how fieeting is the joy.
Neither seemed disposed to talk much;
both were possessed by sense of happi-
ness. The moon came out and lit up the
flowers on the bank, turning them to
many colored jewels
"How | wish this could last forever"
murmured Dallas, at last, bending a lit
tie toward June.
She smiled and sighed. The smile was
for content, the sigh for regret.
Suddenly an uneasy scruple came over
Dallas. Was he not acting a traitors
part to Tom-Tom, who would never have
been disloyal to any human being? Ought
he not, instead of making love to this fair
girl on his own account, to be pleading his
cousins cause? 1t was extremely repug-
nant to him, but the better side of his ma
ture was awake tonight. And any
thought of marrying June himself was out
of the question. Some day he would be
a baronet, with Il fair income; not, how
ever, in all probability, before he was
getting gray and well on in years; he had
several brothers and sisters, he had debts.
penniless wife for him, therefore, was
luxury not even to be contemplated in
the remotest manner. Tom-lucky chap!
had no factor to consult save his own
willard the lady's.
you were not serious the other day."
Dallas asked June, "when you said that
you did not mean to marry Tom"
For moment all June's sense of hap
piness vanished; a cold pang swept over
her. She had forgotten that Tom existed.
"Do not let us talk of him. she said,
with little gesture that conveyed dis
gust more texpressively than she was
aware Of
mot much chance" thought Dallas.
n N whom a
that" He was almost ashamed of him
self for the satisfaction which her action
gave him. How you snubbed me that
first night at dinnerr' he said with a half
smile, after a pause. Il never felt so
small. You turned your back on me all
dinner time, and, though l was watching
my opportunity like cat to speak to you,
you never gave it me until, by a lucky ac-
cident, you dropped your fan under the
table.
June smiled pensively How well she
remembers that evening! how she likes to
think that he noticed her behavior!
"Why were you so unkindW
81 wanted not to like YOU" she an
swers, simply. Il made up my mind that
l would not"
But you have changed it now, have
you not?' looking into the depths of her
eyes.
Yes" she says.
Why should she lie to him? All! she
has indeed changed, if there ever was a
time when she did not like him. But was
there ever such time?
-" he says. tenderly, "have never
changed from the first moment that saw
you. l can't tell YOU how much hurt l
was that you would not be friends with
me. The only time i ever thought you
felt a little bit kind to me was that even
ing of the dance. Do you remember?"
Does June remember? Ay, most truly
does she.
She bends her head in answer.
Il was dying to ask you again, but /
dared not. thought it was best not"
"'Best for you and best for me- "
quotes June, smiling.
Only for me, he answers. ''I was not
such a conceited ass as to think it could
make any difference TO you. And then |
imagined that you belonged to Tom"
June makes an impatient movement
through the water with her fingers. She
cannot bear any allusion TO Tom tonight.
How divinely you dancer' SAYS Dal-
las. Then, with a sudden inspiration.
why should we not jhave a waltz to-
mghtF My aunt plays dance music
charmingly.'
"oh. yes" echoes June, her eyes kind
ling with pleasure; "let us ask her.'
Dallas takes up the sculls, and in two
minutes they are at the landing place