The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-07-30
CHAPTER TX.-(Continued.l

Earle. kindly. cit seems like a pleasant
spot. and | think this pure, fresh air
will benefit your health aud spirits. |
also have settled here, having bought a
Practice
Shall We GO to Sir Reginald now 2"
returned she. mt the end Of their ami
mated conversation. Il presume ne Is
awake by this time"
Yes, at once, and | hope | shall find
him more easy than he was this morn
ing
DIR. Elferstein made quite q long call.
as he had much to do to make the baro-
zet comfortable for the night. and as
Ethel saw him handle the injured man
% gently. and sOothe him with kind, en-
couraging words. she felt that he must
possess a heart of almost womanly feel
ing. and her interest and admiration
decIened.
After Earle Elfenstein withdrew. a
late dinner was announced. and in the
dining room Lady Constance presented
TO Ethel her nephew, Robert Glenden-
oing. and niece, Belle, his sister. the
former greeting her with rather nm insO-
lent look If admiration, the latter with
q bow expressive of naughty contempt.
From that moment Ethel saw that
neither of these young people would pro
mote her happiness while she remained
under this roof.
Mr.. Glendeuning did converse with
her, but it was with such an evident air
Of conudesceusiOn that her replies were
brief and cold. while his sister remained
silent during the whole meal, with the
exception of answering one or two ques-
items asked by Lady Constance, which
were given in q cold, mechanical
way, that told of a mind preoccupied and
absent.
"he truth was, this young lady was
surprised, and not at all pleased, with
the Introduction of such a rarely beauti-
full girl into the home over which she
held sway.
She was intensely proud and selfish.
aud felt that here might be an influence
exerted upon her few admirers that
might interfere with her prospects
The prospects particularly in view at
present were the winning of the heart
aud hand Of the new physician lately set
tied in rhe place.
She had been introduced to him Mt the
home of a friend. and had admired his
elegant bearing, handsome face and quiet
manners. and instantly had resolved to
lay siege to his heart.
After leaving the Ia bic. the ladies' re
paired to the piazza, followed by Mr..
GleIdenning. As Belle paused TO pluck
from. M of the vines a few flowers for
her neck, Lady Constance turned to
Ethel and remarked:
II suppose you have no friends in
ttis vicinity. having but just arrived"
Ethel hesitated, while a faint blush
suffuscd brow and cheek as she replied:
Il have found one here very unexpect-
eddy. DIR. Elfeustein. We crossed the
Atlantic on the same vessel, and as my
aunt was taken very lii during the voy-
age he attended her. and consequently,
became we'll acquainted"
Instantly Bellies attention was riveted
by these remarks, and with a sneer she
exclaimed:
Il presume. then. you wayluid him
this afternoon in order TO renew the ac-
Iuaintance."
Pardon me-" replied Ethel. with dig
atty. II waylaid no one, We met cas-
ualiy on this piazza rs he was about
entering to see Sir Reginald. and con
yersed for n few moments"
1T seems to NE for the future, when
nay uncle's physician visits him. it would
he well for you to remember that you
now occupy the position of n subordinate.
aud therefore should not put on the airs
Vi an equal to attract his attention." was
Pie rude and uu~ladylike reply.
Belle" i~nterposed Lady Constance.
who. with all her faults, was naturally
kind hearted and just, you forget that
Miss Nevergail in coming to us does not
cease to be a gentiewoman."
Or, Il gentlewomau's poor relation
was the cutting answer.
"A remarkably beautiful one, how
ever" said the brother. Say. Belle
the added. tessingly, you must take care
or she will carry off some of your beaux!'
The indignant girl gave him a glance
at whitening scorn, but merely said. with
ali angry toss of her head:
Let her beware how she interferes
witch me in any way! A word TO the wise
is sufficient"
t>thel could scarcely control her indig
nant feelings, as she listened to these in.
sllting remarks issuing from the lovely
lips of the girlish speaker. but after an
effort she did control them. and without
a word burned away and again sought
the side of the invalid.
But she found him irrits bic, and hard
90 please, and the moments passed in his
room became intolerably long, and she
sighed for the time 10 come when she
could retire to her own apartment, even
though she knew a strange aud annoy
lug duty would follow her there.
Finally che baronet told her 10 sh.
was weary to go, adding harshly: 81 am
tired already Of gazing at your Dale
face" then more kindly, as he saw sh,
was startled By his rough way of speak
tug: Il hope | shall feel better in IN,