The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-07-15

4uSE0 W6O no 3IBuuB Will AVAAAs -
q few moments they were In the
street. And together they walked
Wilfred timid, small and nervous; Tom
bold, big and communicative.
They did not meet many people.
True. in High street, Wilfred was
aware that Mrs. Byneet-P owney,
sweeping by in her carriage. had q
good look at Tom through her hand
glasses. He did not dare to appear to
see her, but thought of his brothers
coat and necktie. and shivered.
The walk was nearly over, when,
horror Of horrors, whom should they
meet but Ethel Marsh herself! At any
other time it would have been heaven
to meet her, but with Tom by his side,
and the unmstakable family likeness,
and that coatl It was maddening.
Ethel stopped, too. She had never
done that before. It must be last
nights dance. Why wasn't Tom back
in New York, or Hong Kong, or some
where? She chatted. Surely she
hadn't noticed the carelessly dressed
young giant who had moved on out Of
earshot.
ut was pleasant last night was it
notT she asked.
'I've been teasing my father into
giving a Dance" she went on, "and
he's agreed. Will you come, Mr..
Roofer'
This was unexpected. Wilfred was
satisfied now she had not seen his COM
panion. He consented willingly. Her
next remark troubled him.
"Who is that gentleman with your
He nearly told lie. He nearly
said, "An old acquaintance" but he
stopped himself in time and admitted
the truth, albeit with coloring cheeks.
my brother. He has"
do introduce me-"
It was thunderclap. At a distance
she might not have noticed the frayed
collar and questionable coat. How
ever, she had asked for an introduc-
ton. Wilfrded called to his brother
and tremblingly presented him.
Tom shook hands with the girl. VIII
fred remembered the strict rule of a
bow being the correct thing and shud-
dered. He hoped against hope that
his brother would not make any more
plumbers.
Vain wish. He did worse than blum
der-became conversational. Needless
of everything, he rambled on. Here
are some Of the sentences that sent
dismay through Wilfred's trembling
heart:
"New buildings! Yes, I guess the
workman earns his money. When
you've laid 100 bricks you begin to feel
1t in the spine; but it's the fifth, sixth
and seventh hundred that tell on you
I've spent good spell on that job"
Trans! I see you've got the cleo
trio. I was conductor for a fortnight
on one of them in the States-you
have to keep moving on that job, I
can tell you"
"Oh, don't know. America Is just
as good as England. And I've seen
the rough of it there. Come to my
last dollar and slept under an arch,
but dare say, the poor in London
have just as bad q time"
And more like this. Wilfred groan-
ed In spirit and wanted to kick HIM
self.
However, he got his brother home
at length and learned with delight he
was returning to stillmouth BY the
last train.
Three months passed Tom was en-
gagged on an article for the Quarterly.
And-at length Wilfred decided to put
his fate ito the touch" He arranged
himself in his best-ntting suit, his lat
est hat, his newest gloves and ties,
and set out.
Ethel was at home. She received
him with almost unusual kindness.
He hemmed and hawed. He cough
ed and turned red, and declared his
love.
II am sorry, Wilfred," Wilfred, his
Christian name-she had never ad-
dressed him that way before. IT am
very sorry. hate to give pain. But
L CdAAOL dCCCQI lA0 AOAOl.
But, Miss Marsh. Think. Take a
little time. Don't answer me now"
Its really no good, Wilfred," she
said quickly. There is positively no
hope. shall never accept you"
But we have been very intimate"
Eyes"
you have thought Of me differently
from most other young menu"
"Oh, yes"
"Then may not"
mo. you mustn't. don't ever want
you to ask me again. My answer is
decided. No! Mop
Then Wilfred got wild.
II understand it ALL" he said. "It
is that brother of mine turning up has
spoilt my chances"
I'm what way?'
you wouldn't like to own him az
brother-in-law
That's Just the truth. Wflfred: I