The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-12-16
CHAPTER XII.

Ihe RAIN was coming down IN torrents,
and there was a general expression of
disappointment on the mems faces round
the breakfast table at Mallingford Park.
"But you know it is really too bad"
Cecil Danesford observed to Miss Mall
ing. "Your head man had fixed to-day
for the north end covers, and he says
they are the best on the whole estate
and now this rain comes and spoils the
| whole thing. 1t is annoying, you must
allow"
"Poor creatures-menw said the Hon.
Miss Collins, refectively. ''The comfort
Of their lives depends upon the one
amusement of the hour. Deprive them
of that and they are stranded helplessly.
Glad I'm woman
"Well, l hope you will have got over
the first rush of slaughter by the 17th,"
Pauline interposed, bringing the CONVEX
sation back to the original object.
"Why by the 17th?" several asked.
Because l shall then attain my long
deferred majority, and dear old Lord
Summers insists that there will be big
affair On the happy occasion"
"a ball? Delightfulv' exclaimed the
ladies.
And I shan't be here.' mut<ered Ce-
Gil.
His attention was suddenly arrested
by an advertisement in the Times, which
he held in his hand,
by all that's MYSTERIOUS he exclaim-
ed; and then he sat gazing at the news
paper in mute establishment
Bertha Collins leaned across, and look
ed at the place he was pointing at.
How extraordinary she exclaimed.
For PHYS sake, let us into the mys-
terry" Pauline said; and Bertha read out
the following advertisement:
'Mallingford Park-If this should
meet the eye of Sir G. NJ, he will hear
Of something to his decided advantage
by applying to Messrs. DAVIS & Raven,
IL Leman street, E. c."
There was general establishment and
various were the surmises as to what
it could mean. Jack, glancing at Pau
line, was surprised to see her agitated
and white to the lips. She motioned TO
him not to notice it, and fought deter
| minedly with her emotion. The Others
were too much absorbed by their curiosity
to take much heed, and she bore herself
as usual until breakfast was finished.
"Will you help Mrs. Seton and me
to finish filling in the cards for the sew
enteenth?" she asked Jack, as she left
the breakfast room.
Jack promised to join them in tbe
boudoir in quarter of an hour. He did
not like to think of Pauline's look. He
was poor struggling artist, who had
hitherto lived by the exercise of his nm
aided talent, and Pauline was a rich.
high-born woman, his superior in most
things that count in this world: vet h.
would not make her his wife if he did not
believe her life to be spotless and with
out flaw. This was the idea that haunt
ed him as he recalled her look at the
! breakfast table. If ever woman's face
expressed suddenly aroused fear. MS
fiancee's had done SO when Bertha Col
Inns read that advertisement in the Times.
he went back to the breakfast room be-
fore he joined Pauline, read the adyer-
tlsement again, and copied rhv address
| into his note book
II l am in the neighborhood with a
lew moments to spare, may look them
| up and see what it means,' he decided.
Then he followed the ladies to the
boudoir. Pauline, still looking unlike her
sell, was sitting with Mrs. Seton. Jack
said nothing to them, but went straight
to his work of filling in the invitations
from the list of names given him. Mrs.
Seton left the room after time; and
Pauline, turning to Jack, put her hand
| entreatingly on his arm.
know what you are going to ask
me; but can't talk about it Just now
NOT to-day. l will tell you tomorrow
or the day after; but don't speak of ii
now. l ask it as favor"
Jack felt perplexed. He had expected
the moment they were alone together
that she would tell him what had caused
her disquiet. He felt unhappy and wor-
ried, yet he could hardly force her to
speak upon subject that evidently dis
tressed her.
OF course, don't want to worry you,
darling" he answered; but must con,