The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-07-30
CHAPTER MI.


had not forgotten the old tie that hau
haen snonped so rudely, but others had
wound themselves round her. She had
two mothers nOw-her dear old hlauanie
and kind Lady Grace: each seemed 10 vie
with the other in tenderness and care Ior
| her.
If was a bright, treacherOus morning
in early April, and she had just come III
from her round of visits 20 the conserVa-
tory and hothouses, laden with cholce
flowers. She laid them carefully on the
long table by the window, and proceedeu
to make selections. She was benulns
over cut crystal vase, her hands nlied
with delicate ferns, when the door was
thrown open and a servant announced
"Mr. Hastings He was in the room be-
| fore she had time to turn. a quick thrill
Of pleasure danced through her VEINS,
then she drew herself up into naughty
coldness-memory and pride had come to
her aid. Mr.. Hastings was certainly
neither bashful nor nervous, but on anu
| ing himself thus alone with the girl Whom
| he had loved, he felt very pardohaple
awkwardness. He chose to face it brave
| ly, though He went quickly toward her,
uttering her name in a low voice. she
drew back a step or two, and looked at
him with proud coldness. He stopped
! suddenly, looked at her, and turned away
| deeply mortified.
| 81 will tell Lady Grace Wlnifred saln'
quietly, and would have left the room,
but Mr.. Hastings confronted her.
800 not 90 vet" he exclaimed, listen
70 me for a moment first. Will you never
forgive me?-will you not let me atone
| to you"
81 will never forgive you.' she cried,
the passionate tears yelling into her
eyes. and she swept past him and le1t
| the room.
Mr. Hastings stamped with futile anger
on the ground.
GLOW could I be such fool?' he NUT
terad between his teeth. 81 have lost all
hope of this girl whom | would rather
have for my wife than the proudest prin-
cess in Europe"
His reflections were all cut short by
the entrance of Lady Grace. she was
very glad to see him: asked him why
be had not been over before, and thou
sand questions about his travels. They
had been talking some twenty minutes
when the door opened. and to his sur
prise Miss Eyre entered. with an air OF
nerfect uuconcern Lady Grace, evident
" not knowing they had seen each other
that day, introduced them. They bowed
coldly.
'.Though think You have met beforeE
her ladyship remarked, interrogauvely.
"Mr. Hastings called once at the Farm
TO see my father about something. We
| did NOT meet as equals and she gave
him defiant flash of her proud eyes.
Her ladyship pressed Mr.. Hastings to
dine and stay the night at Endon Vale
but he pleaded an engagement Mt home
! She insisted. however, on his taking lun
before departing and to that he consent
ed. During lunch his hostess discussed
her projects for the coming season.
Il am about to appear in new role.
she said, with a kind glance at WinlIred:
that of chaperon. | am going to bring
ont my adopted daughter, and | trust
she will not disappoint my expectations.
Miss Eyre will. doubt not, more than
realize the fondest ant6ipations.' said
| Mr. Hastings.
"Sir CLAYTON has taken house in
| Eaton Square for the season. she con-
tinued: 1--WE propose to commence occu-
pying it in Il fortnight. | hope we shall
see you constantly, Mr.. Hastings"
Il shall be very glad" assented Enrol.
Il propose to be in town good DEAL
and have taken a set of rooms in flcca-
dilly."
Sir Claytons voice made itself heard
at this juncture, almost for the first time.
Are you going back to the Court this
afternoon HastingsT
Enrol answered in the affirmative.
Then Miss Eyre and | will bear you
company part of the way. We have or
dered the horses for three o'clock
Winifred bit her lip with vexation; and
Mr. Hastings saw it. and would have eX-
cused himself had it been possible.
The horses came round; he offered to
mount her.
mo, thank you" she said, coldly: Il
like to be put up by some one whose skill
| have tested"
She seemed to delight in wounding him.
She kept persistently on the other side
of Sir Clayton, and scarcely spoke. Pres
emily they came to a gate, from which
the two top ratings had been broken.
Come, Winifred," said Sir Clayton,
''there is a capital piece of practice for
you" The groom had gone up to un-
fasten it. Don't open it. Mason", shout
ed the baronet. miss Eyre is going to
leap it,
And Winifred Immediately put her
horse at it. and was over in a moment.
"Does she sit well?' Sir Clayton asked,
triumphantly, turning to his companion.
Harold Erskine taught her to ride"
Errols reply was less enthusiastic than
it would have been if the last sentence
i had hoor, mammalian Rnt narorth oIasn