The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-03-05
CHAPTER XXIV.

weeks: the season was in full SWING. one
had presented Madge to her sovereign,
and Madge was in high spirits and ENJOY
ing her gayetics immensely. June had
been home once, and Sir Thomas had
spent two nights in London on the occa-
sion Of his wifc's giving a dinner party at
which it was thought desirable he should
preside as host.
The season advanced. and rumors De
gan to fly about of an expedition to Egypt
in which the Guards were to take part.
At first the idea was ridiculed, but grad
ually IL came to be entertained more Sc
riously. and then to be recognized as
fact. Dallas battalion was for service,
and as soon as this was known to the
ladies in GroSvenor street ii had most
dampcnng effect upon their spirits.
Madge. il is true, affected to share the
enthusiasm of Dallas, and talked gayly
of the distinctions he would earn-the pos
sibiity of medals and Victoria crosses.
Mrs. Ellesmere was seriously depressed
Mt the thought of the hardship and dan
ger her favorite nephew might incur, and
as for June, each time she realized it, a
knot rose inf her throat and mist came
before her eyes, and she felt as if life had
suddenly become blank. She would look
furtively at him as he was laughing and
talking in the gayest of spirits. and then
her vivid imagination would see him lying
dead, with livd. upturned face, on bat
tleield, or worn and wasted by fever in
some wretched hospital.
Late one July afternoon June and Mrs
Ellesmere left the carriage at the top of
the Row and took chairs under the trees.
Dallas was to join them there. Madge
was spending the afternoon with friend
Mr.. Carslake passed, then stopped. turn
ed and asked permission to sit down by
Lady Nevi. Presently friend of Mrs.
Ellesmere joined her, and the first pair
were left to each other. Naturally
enough, the conversation turned on the
coming campaign, and June, who was al
ways trying To get comfort on the sub
ject, asked Mr. Cnrslake his opinion of
the chances of fighting.
June tried to draw consolation from Mr.
CarSlakc. He did not think it would be
very serious affair; he was not Impress
ed with belief in the fighting qualities
of the Egyptians; a change of masters
would make very little difference to them:
they would still he oppressed under any
rule. The climate was the worst part
of it. though the Bedouns and the Nile
might seriously impede our opera tons.
Then Mr.. Carslake. not looking at Lady
Nevil, but trying to make his voice in
different. said:
Il suppose Miss Ellesmere feels Brokes
going very much?"
In a moment his meaning dawned on
June, and she saw that golden oppor-
tunity was before her.
Il do not think So" she answered. Not
nearly so much ms my aunt-and |. She
only thinks of the brilliant side of war,
and not of-of the danger"
'She will feel it more when he is gone,
no doubt said Mr.. Carslake, tracing a
pattern in the gravel with his stick.
Il do not know" replied June. "Peo-
pie never think anything is likely to hap
pen To their friends unless it is a matter
or vitality absorbing interest to them"
But l thought such was the case"
Certainly not" exclaimed Lady Nevil,
with great animation. There is nothing
of any sort or kind between Madge and
Mr.. Broke, except the most ordinary
friendship"
her. II was told that If not actually en-
gagged they were next door to it,"
June felt that her opportunity had come
What do not people say?' she remark
ed. DO you believe every report you
hear?"
"Only when it is borne out by appear
ances."
You are quite mistaken" said Lady
Nevil. "Madge has never been in love
but once in her life, and then so seriously
that ] think it will quite prevent her
ever caring much for anyone else"
TEL me frankly" said Mr.. Carslake,
'are you speaking Of me? | should not
venture to ask. unless"
Yes. | am" replied June, with equal
rrankness.
"And-and do you really believe she is
not Indifferent TO me?"
Il am quite sure that you are the only
man for whom she has ever cared seri-
ously."
To Mr.. Carslake's infinite chagrin. Dial
las came up at this moment. But June
telt that enough had been said, and that
Madge's future, at all events, was safe.
Dallas saw June and Madge off by the
train next day; he took cordial leave of
the latter, and she wished him a gay fare
well and babe him bring her back the
scalps Of numerous Egyptians and return
covered with glory.
shall see you again." he said to June
as the train was starting, keeping long
hold of her hand and for once not at
tempting 10 prevent his eyes from be,ray-
ing to her all he felt. As for June. she
was deathly pale; her lips were culver