The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-06-25

she Ttu away. lOi W as dblOdu VAIN iihS
husband, and before l returned to Eng
land. she died. Her governess, Madame
de MOntolieu, was very good and charm
ing person, and | have always kept up a
correspondence with her from time to
time | invaded your retreat this after
noon on purpose to ask if | may have the
pony carriage in order to drive over and
pay the old lady a visit
why not take the barOuche, Lady
Grace? Lady st. Ego and Lady Marion
have declined driving this afternoon, and
the young ladies intend to ride over to
Mrs. Champions before dinner"
Thank you, | would rather not discon-
cert my old friend by too much state; be-
sides, have a great fancy to drive your
pretty ponies
by all means. then" exclaimed Enrol.
Lady Grace Faruuhar arrived, very
quickly at the little cottage, and pre-
pared for a long chat with Madame de
Montolieu. who was very glad to see her.
II heard" she said, that you had ar
rived at the Court. but | scarcely ven
tured to expect you until after the festiv-
tiles were concluded"
II should have come over long ago."
Lady Grace answered, gayly, but am
doing my duty at the Court as hostess.
You see, dear madame, l am getting so
old that it seems quite natural for ME to
be acting as Mr.. Hastings mother"
"This Mr.. Hastings" asked Madame de
Montolieu, "do you like him?"
Il think him charming. He is so agree
able, and clever, and well bred"
an. l. 4
Lady Grace looked little surprised at
this question, the more so as it was put
with an unusual degree of earnestness.
Il cannot tell, but 1 should think So"
she replied. 1T seems to me as if his
greatest failing was the hereditary Hast
ings pride. Why do you ask?"
Il remember his mother" remarked
Madame de Montolieu, checking herself.
she was very good and amiable."
"She was. indeed!' sighed Lady Grace.
II have been going to ask you, in so
many of my letters, what has become of
poor Winifreds child. She was bright
looking, intelligent little girl
"Ah, Lady Grace" said the old French
lady. signing, "she gives me the keenest
anxiety"
How so? Is she not turning out well -
TOO we'll. too WELL" calculated Mad
anne de Montoleu. with an expressive
shake of the head. "She is all the fond
est mother or friend could wish; beau
tiful, amiable, graceful and accomplish
ed-a child to be proud Of. All, dear Lady
Grace, l fear greatly that l have taught
her too much, she is so far beyond her
fathers station; but, indeed, I did it all
for the best. l hoped Sir Howard would
have noticed and brought her out, but
he sternly refuses to have anything to
do with her; and they are all so cruel
and disdainful to the poor child it breaks
my heart"
1T is just like that detestable old Sir
Howard" cried Lady Grace, with I'M
usual energy. He always insisted on
sacrificing everything to his stubborn
pride Can nothing be done?"
Il fear not" replied the old lady; and
then she proceeded to tell her friend of
Miss Champions trea tment of her cousin.
Lady Grace was highly indignant.
Il can quite believe it," she remarked
Miss Champion has an air of naughty
superciliousness that offends me greatly
| cannot understand how it is that Mr..
Hastings seems to admire her so much"
At this moment the door opened, and
Winifred entered. She drew back on see
ing a stranger.
Enter, my loce," said Madame de
Montolieu. This is Winifred Eyre" she
added, addressing her visitor.
Lady Grace was fairly astonished at
the sight of such graceful, elegant crea-
| ture.
Come here, my DEAR" she said, gently,
land let me see if you are like your moth
err"
Lady Grace left the cottage that after
noon perfectly charmed with Winifred.
Il will see if something cannot be done
TO bring her into position for which she
is fitted" she thought. as she drove slow
| y back to the Court. "Ah, if l could
only have had such daughterr' and poor
childless Lady Grace sighed heavily.
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