The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-04-20
CHAPTER VIII.

how MS DARK eyes udm0I- LII SW08k
she shall BE- my wife,
q CHAPTER VIII.
The story that Audrey heard from her
mothers lips was>a short and pitiful one
"a story full Of woman's misery, q
mans treachery, and husbands broken
heart.
Years before, when Constance Gas
coigne was a girl Of nineteen, and had
just made her debut in the world. she
went to stay with a half-sister OF her
mothers, down in small country vii
lage. The aunt with whom Constance
stayed-Lady Anstruther-had two sons,
one following no occupation, the other
a young officer in a crack d-agoon regi-
ment, and with this cousin the beautiful
young girl fell most violently in love.
He on his side returned the love with
more than usual fervor. Constance was,
In his eyes, the most beautiful, the sweet
est, the dearest woman in all the world.
For a month the lovers lived In para
disc; when suddenly an abrupt ending
came to the all too brief halcyon time.
Franks regiment was ordered to Bur-
nah; they were to leave in fortnight.
What was to be done? Lady Ans
truther, already an invalid, was dis
traught at the thought Of losing her
youngest and best-beloved son. Her
hearts best love was given to Frank,
although by no outward sign did she ever
allow the world to guess that he was
dcarer to her than her eldest, Roderick.
She was in no condition to be worried,
and that there would be no end of worry
connected with their engagement the
lovers knew full well. Sir Edwin Gas
coigne would never consent to his daugh-
ter's marriage with a man who had moth
ing to depend upon except his pay, and
who was, moreover, the son Of man
whom Sir Edward had always hated. 1t
was not a moment for delay, and Frank,
full of eager desire to bind his darling to
him, determined to make her his wife
before the day Of his departure came.
when once we are married, my dear
est" he had urged, mot all the objec-
lions In the world can part us for long.
You do not mind roughing 1t with me,
I know, and If Sir Edwin Is very, very
angry, you can stay with mother till I
have made all my arrangements for you
to follow me out to Burmah."
His entreaties, his passionate plead
ings won the day, and Constance con-
scented to become his wife. They would
have taken Roderick into their confidence
had he given them the opportunity; but
Franks brother had gone away almost
Immediately on Constance's arrival
had, indeed, Stunned meeting the girl
in such a marked manner that Con-
stance had felt vaguely nura
Il am afraid Roderick does not like
me-" she had said to her lover but Frank
laughed the idea to scorn.
Frederick is a queer, odd sort Of
chap" he had answered; "but I'll stake
my existence that his feelings for you
are not anything approaching dislike"
"You are 80 much alike in face, and
yet you are 80 different in nature" Con-
stance often said, gazing with admiring
eyes at her lover.
The two men were, indeed, strangely
alike. Both had coal-black hair, and
clear skins, and eyes Of the deepest, rar-
est blue. There was barely a year be-
tween them, and in height, figure and
general bearing they were the fac-simile
of each other.
They were married quietly one morn
ing, the only witness to the ceremony
being Marshall and the village clerk, and
then, after a week of mingled ecstasy
and unutterable pain at the thought Of
their forthcoming separation, the young
couple parted, Constance to return home
to her fathers house, her wedding ring
suspended round her neck till the moment
was opportune for speaking out her story,
and Frank to make his final arrange
ments.
They had one farewell meeting in
which Frank sought to cheer and console
his young wife by every means In his
power. He told her he had written full
particulars Of their marriage to Roder-
lex, and begged her to confide in his
brother, who had promised to do all in
his power to assist them.
Bear up, my darling" he had entreat-
ed "in six months from to-day, please
heaven, you will be with me, and never
leave my side again as long as life lasts.
II your father is obgdurate-well, we
must do without his forgiveness. Kiss
me once more, my wife, my hearts be-
loved, and remember, dearest, whatever
comes, trust in Roderick."
Ito be continued.)