The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-02-12
CHAPTER NVIII-(ContinuedD

the sound of Toms hearty laugh, win
Agnes somewhat shrill treble mlhgied
Lady Nevis thoughts were abruptly
changed. Now she wanted to be on shore
TO interrupt that tete-a-tete. she hated
nothing so much as to see Tom ana
Agnes together; it was certainty that
her cousin was infusng some poisonous
drop into her husbands mind.
Let us land" she said to Dallas; but
he had no desire to leave his charming
hostess just as they were discussing such
interesting subjects.
"Oh, not yet" he implored; don't go
in yet. Do you really want to!' Ana
June. who always felt it difficult to OPP
nose any one who asked anything urgent
" Of her. forced smile, and said;
II will stay here if you like. 1t is very
pleasant here"
Two or three minutes later her mind
was immensely relieved by hearing
Madge's voice join Toms. and presently
she saw that young lady hanging on
Toms arm. while Mr.. Carslake ana
Agnes walked Mt some distance behind.
The change of companionship had been
brought about in this way: When Dal-
las and June betook themselves to the
boat. Madge and Mr.. Carslake had made
their way to the avenue-the place par
excellence at the Hall for lovers and love
making, the place to which i'll former
days Tom had always tried to inveigle
June as being private and cut off from
the rest Of the company.
Madge had talked away in her usual
bright fashion, and her companion had
listened TO her with that sense of pleased
amusement which he always felt Mt her
auips and FRANKS. His own disposition
was grave, though the reverse of morbid,
but he had strong sense of humor and
a keen sympathy with bright and happy
young people. His greatest drawback to
the enjoyment Of their society was his
extreme ditiidence in himself his fear
lest he should he kill-joy and spoil
their fun On Madge. however. he pro-
duccd anything but this effect; his
gravity. leavened as il was with an evil
dent appreciation of her sallies and high
spirits. rather stimulated than soberei
her love of fun.
They had begun by laughing, and were
inClining to more sentimental mood UNI
der the influence of moonlight, and the
charm of the evening, when Mr.. Cars
lake, with the very best intentions, made.
singularly unfortunate remark:
What n very sweet woman that sister
of yours is!'
1t acted on Madge like a douche of
iced water. The moment before she had
been full of gayety, slightly tempered by
n most agreeable sentimentality, for she
was undeniably in love with her COM
panion; now she was froissee, piqued, an
noyed. she felt angry indeed with her
friend for not having more discernment.
She stopped short; the color came to
her face, and she said, with extreme de-
cision
'She is not at al Il sweet woman. and
| should not have thought you were the
sort of man to be so easily taken in
Mr.. Cagslake was astonished: he was
rather shocked, too. ard he looked it.
"Oh. yes" exclaimed Madge, you are
Mortified, see. You think the mere fact
of a person being ones sister ought to
make one adore her: hut assure you
the theory won't hold water. You are
much more apt TO dislike people who be-
long TO you than any one else, because
you are obliged to see so much of them
and they have such immense opportuni-
ties of aggravating YOU"
The pair were standing face to face,
Madge talking herself angry. Mr.. Cars
lake preserving his scandalized express
sion.
Pray. why do you think she is sweet
womanT asked the young lady. slightly
raising her voice and looking at him with
rather an aggressive flash in her eyes.
Mr.. Carslake's face relaxed into a
smile.
Well really" he remarked. ''she
seemed TO me very sweet and kind ana
anxious 10 please every one. | caught
some Of her remarks to our host during
dinner. and | confess they gave me the
idea that she was very charitable. good
person; and then thought she behaved
so nicely in offering to remain with him
afterward and TO go and see the child up
stairs"
That shows, then" retorted Ma6ge.
"how little any one not behind the scenes
Is able TO judge. She only stopped with
Tom and talked about going up to see
little Tom 10 aggravate June"
Really" with evident incredulity. IT
thought Lady Nevil seemed quite dis
posed for a tete-a-tete with Broke. and
your sister good-naturedly offered TO stay
and amuse Sir Thomas"
OH exclaimed Madge, growing still
angrier. "that is just the delightful way
Agnes has Of giving people wrong inn
pressions. Do you suppose" with some
vehemence. that June cares two straws
about Dallasi She is simply wrapped up
10 Tom and the child"
Il am sorry l have offended you by