The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-07-16
CHAPTER IN.


And vet the very next night Fee tap
ped at Winifred's door. and when it was
opened she went quickly in, and, throw
ing herself in chair, burst into tears
Winifred was fairly distressed; great
drops weled into her eyes for sympathy.
Don't cry, dear Fee-what is it!-what
ails yOu?'
1t was startling to see the gay, insou-
cante little fairy in such a plight.
"Oh, Winifred. | am so miserable-I
hate myself!'
Winifred guessed the rest.
you have not consented, Fee?-you
are not going to marry Mr. Clayton?'
Yes, | am"
"Oh, Fee, how could you? you cannot
like him.
What is the use of talking like that?'
Miss Alton cried, with feverish petulance.
why don't you congratulate melt is
q splendid match"
Il love you, Fee. l cannot deceive you.
If you do not care for him-and you
cannot love man like that-all his money
will not make you happy"
Winifred went sorrowfully TO bed, for
she loved the frivolous, worldly little orea-
ture dearly.
Mr.. Clayton's reflections were tolerably
satisfactory, as he smoked his Spanish
cigarette after the ladies had retired.
Though after ALL" he muttered, 81
am not quite sure the games worth the
candle OF course fellows will laugh at
my being caught, after all I've said about
the happy state They won't give me
credit for being caught with intention.
| wish d Aguilar was here. but | suppose
he won't be in until very late
Just about one o'clock Col. d Aguilar,
who had been away on a dinner invita-
ton, came in, in high good humor and
spirits.
I'VE have had a charming evening"
he said. in answer to a question from
Capt Culloden. ''Some very jolly fell
lows there, and | was greatly tempted to
stay the night, as they asked me. IL ~
ever, as ] had said nothing about it ~
Lady Grace Farquhar, | was afraid of
committing breach of good manners by
remaining. Arthur lie Marchant had driv-
en- over from HAZEL Court-a rare good
fel " he is, too, the very life of party"
did he say anything about HastingsT'
inquired Reginald Champion.
Il think he mentioned the name Of
Hastings. If | recolect rightly it was
something in connection with a yacht in
ConStantinope'
Il am sorry Hastings took it into his
head to leave England" interposed Lord
Harold Erskine. He was one of the
incest, most gentlemanly fellows / ever
met with He entertained us in a prince
ly Way at the Court last month"
"Hastings?' remarked Francis Clay
ton, interrogatively. Il seem to know the
name. BY the way, Erskine, was not
that the man Miss Champion accused
Miss Eyre of being so much in the woods
with?"
Lord Harold colored with passion.
Il presume they were only together
just as d'Aguilar and Miss Alton might
have been in the park this afternoon"
"Ah.' said Francis Clayton, quietly,
but with his most disagreeable smile.
Let those laugh who win,' is capital
maxim. But you've not congratulated me
yet, any of YOU"
Col d'Aguilar grew very pale; the
hand that was on the back of his chair
trembled.
Il am no hypocrite," he said, quietly.
but with curious ring in his voice. Il
cannot wish you happiness when l know
it entails her misery" And amidst a
dead silence he left the room.
Before the party assembled at break
fast the following morning he had left
Endon Vale.
Ito be continued)