The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-10-14

-00 ne continued bitterly. 81
know myself IA gaunt, hollow
ehested, bloodless wretch, looking
nfty at thirty-fve, chained to his
chair by an injured hip
Il wish you would not say such
things. You know
a charming husband for a beau
tlful woman. But if / bought you
as | bought that Titan over the
mantelpiece I have at least treated
you with the same respect shown the
picture. Not even a kiss have ]
claimed from those red lips Of
yours
She knelt beside him, looking
wlstfully into his eyes, which were
still handsome though dimmed by
years of pain.
'Paul, / can't leave you in this
bitter humor."
NO, said Vandermore mock
lngly; mot even for an i'll sister ?
| had twin brother once-a wild
fellow. How would he have man
aged you, | wonder?'
"a brother, Paul? A twin? |
thought you were an only son. Has
he been dead long?' p
Il don't know" returned the Grip
pie sullenly. Sometimes I think
he is not dead at all. Enough of
this fooling. | said you must go to
your sister. Give me my drops and
go. The carriage has been waiting
an hour"
Six months later Elizabeth stood
alone in her luxurious suit of rooms
rereading the letter which had
brought her home. The half year
she had spent with her sister, Paul
having suddenly determined on 60
ing abroad. He had sent her his
commands very briefly week after
she reached her sisters side, not
even giving her his foreign address,
merely informing her that his valet,
| Hilaire, went with him.
Gas | told you," ran the letter,
II am not yet ready to return. But
l have asked you to precede me, that
you might receive my twin brother,
the fellow Of whom / spoke at our
last parting. He has turned up,
greatly to my surprise, and will be
| with you tomorrow. Treat him
kindly for my sake"
Next evening when she heard the
newcomers step in the hall she
came out, calmly gracious, to meet
| him. His resemblance to Paul she
found less marked than she had an
ticipated. This man was broad OF
shoulder, deep of chest, with a well
poised head and frank, happy
eyes. Then she perceived that in
features, height and general color
ing the similarity was exceedingly
striking. He might well have been
taken for Paul, though the voice
was fuller than her husbands and
far more resonant.
cts good of you, Elizabeth, " said
the stranger joyously, "to welcome
the prodigal. I may call you Eliza
/ bo+b movI not ? Pm Beverly Van
I dermore, you know
His warm, strong fingers drew he1
quickly to him, and he pressed on
her lips an eager kiss. It was only
the ioy of a returned wanderer, she
told herself, not seeing the passion
! ate look of admiration which Beyer.
" fastened on her 1.-THE, rounded
| figure as she preceded him to the
! library. And indeed Elizabeth's
beauty was of the juno type, com
handing instant attention.
She soon found there was nc
chance to be formal with Beverly
He brought his dogs into the house
/ and romped all over the library with
them, drawing Elizabeth into t u,
game, teasing her and testing VIII
her.
Daily they rode together, ane
Elizabeth, putting both past and u:
ture resolutely behind her, enteree :,
with all the delight OF q per1ec'
horsewoman into the joys OF the ex
hilarating motion.
BeyerlY's mount seemed otter
haH horse, half tiger, frequently
/ starting capriciously at leaf ane
writhing angrily on the bit.
Once as Elizabeth watched her es
cort,s cool mastery over his terrinee
ana angered horse voice Whispered
in her ear:
fretful shadow.
& Beverly. who had now qmeted Ia
y5 a. hnr AZ tl0ug1