The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-08-11

" Just become aware of q black marx
on the soft mauve material of her dress.
With her gloved hand she attempted to
brush it off, and a. this had no eject she
began rubbing it with tiny handler
chief. Then she raised her EYES. Miss
Winter was watching her with curious
smile-a smile much more suggestive Ut
pain than Of pleasure.
Their eyes met. and for some moments
both seemed on the verge of saying some
thing which was never said. Then sud
denly Helen leaned forward and coveren
her face with her two hands.
Helen recovered herself as suddenly as
she had given way, and, rising from
her chair, stood with her shoulder turned
toward her friend, her two hands upon
the mantel-piece, looking down into the
fire. Her attitude, moral and PHYSICAL
was reflective.
II wonder" she said, III every one
got out of the theater!
"Mr. Easton phomised to come and tell
u.s." answered Miss Winter.
Helen raised her head and locked CRIT
ically at her own reflection IN the o.o-
fashioned mirror over the fireplace. Ans
trace of tears had almost vanlsneo ITO"
her young eyes-it is only Older counte-
nances that bear the marks for long.
Before she moved again the SOUND 81
cab wheels made itself audible in the
street. and the vehicle was heard TO stop
at the door. Miss Winter rose and went
to let in the newcomer.
It was Matthew Mark Easton. He FOL
lowed Miss Winter into the dining room'
walking lightly-an unnecessary preeau-
ton. for his step was like that OF
child
IL do not know" he was saying, the
etiquette observed In England on these
points. but l could not resist coming
along to see If you had arrived safely.
No one hurt. I trust?" continued he.
Yes" answered the girl, gently; MI.
Tyars is hurt-his arm Is broken.
Easton's mobile lips closed together
with snap, betraying the fact that ne
had allowed himself the luxury Of an ex-
pletive in his reprehensibls American
way. He turned aside, and walked back
ward and forward for few minutes, like
a man made restless by the, receipt OF
very bad news.
1t was a matter of second only. Like
a serpent's fang the mans keen eyes
flashed toward her and away aSain. The
peculiarly nervous face instantly assumed
an expression. as near stolidity as could
be expressed by features each and all
laden with an exceptional intelligence.
Then he turned away, and took up
broken fan lying on the table, opening 1t
tenderly and critically.
But Miss Winter was as quick a. he.
She knew then that he had guessed.
Whatever he might have suspected before,
she had no doubt now that Matthew
Mark Easton knew that Helen loved
Claud Tyars.
1.-THE worst of It," he broke out, with
sudden airiness, lis that there was no
fire at all. 1t was extinguished on tho
stage. The performance might have been
continued"
ut only makes 1t more horrible" said
Miss Winter; for suppose there-wers
some killed"
THAT is So" he answered. "They took
forty-two corpses out Of our box alone"
II did not know" said Helen, after 4
painful pause, that it was 80 bad as
that"
OSWln 0Face came III, opening tnS IIoHt
door with his latch-key. He was greeted
with an interrogatory 'Well?" from
Miss Winter.
HE Is all right" he answered. ut
was simple fracture. Old Barker ss< 1t
very nicely, and sent him off to his club
in a cab
"Then,' said Easton, holding out his
hand to say good-by, II shall 20 and
help him into bed-tuck him in, and sing
soft lullaby over his pillow. Good
night, Miss Winter. Good night, Miss
Grace"
(To be continued.)