The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-04-22

81 am such a poor. nerveless crea-
ture-so utterly destitute Of all pres
ence Of mind-that could only crouch
in a corner and sob with terror"
After drive, which seemed to heI
excited fancy to endure for hours. they
stopped before tall iron gate. which,
after time, was opened from within.
They drove over a long, winding walk
at the end of which was large. gloomy
looking house, before which the vehicle
stopped. Then, assisted by Montgomery,
she was suffered to alight. female
servant conducted her to the apartment
in which I found her.
"She was very kind to me-" Clara
went on, "and assured me over and over
again that no harm would be done to
me-that I was among friends, and
whatever l liked to ask for ] should
have, but that she could not permit me to
leave that room. But no entreaty could
wiring from her who her employer was
I have been here now nearly a fortnight
everything have expressed wish for
has been given me, and l was growing
quite reconciled to my position. for
can be content in any place where l am
treated kindly; but this evening. just as
l was watching the great red sun sink
behind the trees, heard my door open,
and upon looking round l saw
She buried her face in her hands,
seemingly unable to proceed. l knew
perfectly well whom she had seen, al
though I asked the question.
'Those terrible eyes,! she answered,
sinking her voice to a whisper.
By the aid of words had heard spck-
en- few hours before, l began to un-
derstand it all now. but only dimly. ]
asked her what she meant.
"Ah, l have never told you" shet said,
with a shudder. 81 will tell you now,
that you may understand my fearful po-
sition. and that you may take me away
from it,
She knelt down at my feet, and nestled
close to me as she told her story, speak
ing in a subdued voice.
Il was brought up by dear, kind
grandfather, the only friend l ever knew;
for my father, who was an officer. died
in India, when I was very young, and
my mother followed him within less than
a year. She was my grandfathers young.
est and favorite daughter; and, after
her death, he seemed to have trans
ferred all his affection to me. for he lit
orally dotted upon me. / had a cousin
who was much-much older than my
self, but, like myself, an orphan.
never liked him-or, should rather say,
l was always frightened of him; yet ev-
erybody called him handsome, especially
all the women. Until my mother brought
me home, a little girl, from India, he was
the favorite nephew, and was supposed
to be the heir to all his grandfather's
wealth. John Rodwell hated me, and
showed it, too, and that turned the old
gentleman against him. When was
about thirteen, grandfather made fresh
will; and as he was never content to
have me a moment from his side, it was
dictated to the lawyer in my presence.
In it l was named heiress to all he pos
sessed, with the exception of an annu-
ity to John, and the former will. by
which John would have inherited all his
wealth, was destroyed. l was very much
troubled when l heard this; and I told
grandfather how much happier l should
be if he would let things remain as they
were, as l was certain Cousin John
would know better what to do with the
money than l should.
"Well, In some way or other Cousin
John found out that new will had
been made, and that l was present al
the time. Once or twice he put some
questions to me in an off-hand kind OF
manner as to it's contents; but mindful
Of the strict injunctions l had received
1 was very cautious, and finding that he
could elicit nothing from me. he gave up
the attempt. But he became a more
frequent visitor to US. He also took
great pains to ingratiate himself into
grandfather's good graces, and not I'M
successfully.
CTo b. continued.l