The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-08-25

perhaps--at least tonight" he said
nnaily. For moment he looked back
into the flames. Then he faced her
suoosniy, with the manner Of one who
mas taken quick resolve. lyon tried
TO guess what my thoughts were a whils
ago. he said; ''shall l tell your :
Yes" she answered tensely.
1t all came out Of the fife," Cowles
went on. this plot for my next story.
It's rather strange, and some Of It ia
true-a part Of the life Of man whom
knew rather well years ago.
He fell in love when he was quite a
boy; but 1t wasn't the ordinary, puppy
love- that most boys have, for after they
quarreled- and the girl-and she
married another man, he never got
quite over it, but just went loving her
memory all his life. He went away
to foreign war-when he heard Of
the marriage. He wanted to die, and
once he was nearly killed, but not quite.
SO after the war was over he wandered
about the world, and when finally he
returned to his old home she was dead.
he was still comparatively young
man, for. as I've said, he was only
boy when 1t began. Then, after q time.
he met her daughter-and, through
some sport Of destiny. she learned to
care for him. 1t was very hard for
the man, because, you see, his heart
was dead-Quite dead-and she was
very sweet and flne.".
Cowles paused.
Il don't know just how shall clear
it all up" he concluded. Its rather
complicated, you know. But you get
the idea, don't you? You get the idea?"
The girl sat motionless, rigid, during
the recital. Some time in the nara
tive her eyes fixed themselves on a
little scar just about Cowles' temple
that looked as though a bullet might
have made it. Now she shivered lit
tie, as though certain stimulus had
been removed, and she Strengthened her
self In the chair.
Your story Is very dramatic" she
remarked coldly, land, AZ you say, rath-
er complex. Such things, imagine,
rarely happen in real life. But that
makes it all the more original. Thank
you 80 much for telling me about It,,
Cowles was searching her face with
keenness that she must have felt,
but she gave no sign. (.
Dear me-" he said at length, glanc-
Ing at the clock, its quite late" She
did not answer. He arose to 60, At
the door she gave him her hand 1t
was hot and dry.
Good night, Mr.. Cowles," she said;
Il shall see you at the Arlington re-
ception no doubt"
Probably not" he answered. Il
have some idea Of leaving town for q
time"
Really" exclaimed the girl in polite
surprise. I'VE shall miss you"
That's kind Of you." said Cowles, de-
parting. Goodnight"
A light rain was still falling. The
almost deserted street glistened with a
film of moisture under the arc lamp
which cast a great black shadow up
into the sky and made the foliage of
shade trees scintillate and sparkle as
the wind stirred it. At the corner q
cabman sat, asleep on his box, while
a tiny stream trickled from his OIL
cloth hlemet down the front Of his
tightly buttoned coat. Cowles hailed
him and he awoke with a start, splash
ing and shaking like Newfoundland
dog after a bath.
II wonder" Cowles soliloquized, as
he pulled the cab door shut with a snap
and settled back on the cushions, II
wonder If I made an ass Of myself
Brooklyn Citizen.