The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-07-23
CHAPTER VII.

farewell. who had cared for them both
So tcnderly during their passage across
the Atlantic
lt need only he said. in reference 10
that farewell that the tears rushed 10
the hazel eyes of Ethel ~ she saw him
disappear in the distance. and a great
snd lonely void seemed suddenly TO have
dropped into her heart.
She knew not why she had taken such
a deep interest in this grave aud often
pre- occupied stranger, but from the first
word of kindness he had spoken to her.
the first glance into his earnest eyes. she
had felt towards him IA she had never
done towards any person of the opposite
sex before.
But now il was all over. he had gone.
and henceforward she can but learn to do
without him. For a day or so il had al
most seemed an impossibility. but with
the rapid. failure of her sunt's strength
her thoughts were forced into another
channel. and her own lonely feelings had
10 be pushed aside for the more moment
Qua aud important oae Of their impeud-
Ing separation.
The third week was drawing to clos.
sad the young girl had thrown herself
upou her knees by the bedside of the
invalid 10 catch the last words that she
had to speak in her ear. At her request.
she had been left alone with her child,
snd now, with her hand in hers. she muir
INJURED:
Ethel, darling. | feel that have but
q few hours more to be with you. as my
strength is fast waning: but while | may,
n tOIi | irbt
be kept from your ears until your TWEEN
~ first birthday: but as | shall not be
with you then, | must impart to you now
an important secret. aud give into your
charge some documents not To be opened
until chat day. My dear. will you take
these papers and promise me that you
will not break their seal until that time
arrives
Il WILL dearest aum rest assured |
will do exactly as you wish"
The papers | speak of. then. are in
my trunk inside small wallet. Take
charge of them Immediately, and be sure
TO aottend to them at the time | mention.
Now, | must tell you fact that nave
withheld from your knowledge for the
bc,t Of reasons, and in order to keep n
father when a ba be took Won. as you
are aware, when child Of few weeks
old, as my own had died as we'll "a my
husbands sister who WAS your dear
mother.
You were 80 young. aud to he 80 en-
tirely ours until your twenty-hrst birth
day. that all thought il best to call yon
by our own name. | now tell you, for
the first time what has been kept secret.
Your father still lives, bat for various
reasons did not wish TO claim you or be
known to you until that time. | have
Informed him of my husbands death.
my failing health. and of my return To
England. have also given him Cousin
Rogers address, who will tell him where
you can be found when that date arrives
II will only add that there is nothing
20 be ashamed of in your birth. You are
a true gentlewoman. and when twenty
one will come into poss esSion of
property sufficient for your support; but
this fact il not to be generally known.
Four months will elapse before that
time comes. and can leave only enough
TO bury me aud purchase suitable
mourning apparel for yourself.
Il dare not leave you without n pro-
tector and guardian. and IA our present
host is poor and has struggle to pro-
vide for his own six children and wife.
| have written TO my brother Sir Regi-
osid Glendenning. asking him to take
charge of you told him unless he did
you would be obliged 10 earn your own
living. and l hated to send you out INFO
the world alone for such purpose
asked him il you could not he of use in
some way to him. until the fifth of Dc
tOber when you would he otherwise pro
vided for This letter must he sent af-
ter my interment. Let him be notified OF
my death and invited to my funeral
chen, after all is over and your mourn
ing garments ara made. send him the let
ter.
Now, my love. | wish you to promise
nle that you will 90 to him if he sends
for you. and assist him in whatever ca
pacity he offers. even though it may be
distasteful. Win you do this for your
dying aunt. Ethel. my childi"
Il surely WILL" was the low reply, sob
bed out almost with a wall but can
not think of your dying. o. auntie!
have loved you so. how eau | live with
cut your
"'As thy day. so shall thy strength
De- 10 all can say. God will comfor
you. and In few more months you
father viii claim and protect you. Blu
what is this? | cannot see. am grow
ing numb-coldi Ethel-Ethel-I an
dying"
She spoke no more. and as Mr.. an,
Mrs. Rogers hasteued back to the room
at Ethels hurried call, they saw tina
she Was indeed breathing her last.
Ethel incurred, as one with such
oVins heart would naturally do. owe
her great Toss, but amid all her grie
ais Smembsred distinctly every dire