The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-04-13
CHAPTER vi.

CHAPTER VI.
The news of Mrs Fraser's sudden In
creas. of weakness and i'll health reached
Mrs. Thorngate the following afternoon,
as the wears wife was returning from
some of her parochial ministerings.
what is wrong with herr" she asked
DR.. Sentance, anxiously, as she met him
riding homeward.
IT confess she puzzles me-" he answer
ed. II sounded the heart tbs morning,
and, except for extremely weak action, |
can trace no definite signs of malady."
Il think I will go on to Dinglewood
and see her," Mrs. Thorngate said to
herself, as she was alone again. Con-
stance Fraser and she were warm friends.
Il want to see how that child is getting
on, too"
She was just passing her own gate as
she thought of this, and was suddenly
astonished by being confronted by
youn. man, who proceeded to fold, his
arms about her and kiss her cheek most
heartily.
"Well, Aunt Agatha, here / ON once
ngain, you see," said a soft, singularly
pleasant voice.
startled me Oh, DEAR" and poor Mrs
Thorngate fairly gasped for breath.
"Poor Aunt Agatha! What shame !!
/ am awfully sorry, dear. | thought you
saw me. Come In and sit down, you
dear old thing. Where's Uncle Gus?"
Mrs. Thorngate allowed herself to be
led ur to the rectory by the strong arm.
Her surprise was vanishing and only
pleasure remained. Beverley come home
once again! She could scarcely believe
it. Beverley, that dear, handsome, scape-
grace son of her dead and gone, yet still
beloved sister, Margaret! Mrs. Thorn
gates child-bereft heart cling to this
young man with the tenacry of an ivy
plant. He was, after her husband, her
dearest and most treasured possession on
earth. Once inside the cozy dining room
she embraced him warmly.
''Let me look at you, darling" she
SAID. holding him off at arms length and
feast'ng her eyes on his extremely hand
some face, with its dark orDs. olive skin,
Clear-cut features and shOrt-cropped
beard. sob, my dear! l am glad to
see you once more. You Dad creature,
never to have written me a line all these
months! And now you want something
to eat and there is nothing decent in the
house."
you will sit down and take your ease
l have already ransacked the larder, and
with very good results. Yo1r cold beef
was beyond reproach, my lear aunt"
Mrs. Thorngate laughed.
How good it is to see you in your
old chair" she said, tenderly. How
wish Gus was at home
HE will be back in few Gays, sup
pose?" Beverley Rochfort observed cas-
ually, after having learned the reason
of his uncle being away. To an onlooker
it might easily have been perceived that
the young man had no very great regret
In the rector's absence; but Mrs. Thorn
gate did not observe it.
"And now you will make up your mind
10 stay with us, will you not, my dearest?
| can assure you we are not very dull
down here, now we have the Duchess of
Marlborough with the Marquis of Iverne,
and Lord John Glendurwood at Craig
lands. The Frasers are at Dinglewood !;
the Everests settled in Glas.on for the
hunting; no end of smart people one
way and another"
Beverley smiled complacently and
stroked his short, silky jeard. Since
necessity would force him % make the
rectory his headquarters for at least
some few months, he was not at all
averse to hearing his aunt's Jews.
Il am not surprised they should come
here: It is a good country. l don't
know a better, and I have Travelled
through good many in my time. 1 sup
pose l can get q sort OF mount in either
Giaston or Monterey"
mo need to 60 so far" smiled Mrs.
Ihorngate. "Your uncle has two hunt
ers in the stables, and he Will be inf
them a little exercise, mora especially
as he cannot be here to use them himself
Would you like to go and nave a look at
them, my dear boy? You will find Pot
ter still in the stables; in fact, very
little is changed in the year and a half
you have been away"
Il don't mind if l do But where are
you off TOT"
Mrs Thorngate explained her reasons
for going to Dinglewood.
Il think I will leave the horses. and
accompany you." he said; 1T is Just as
well to resume acquaintance ship with the
folk around"
And 80, chatting languidly in his soft,
musical voice, Beverley Rochfort walked
through the muddy lanes to Dlnglewood.
He remembered he had made a distinct
impl ession on Sheila Fraser when he met
her before, and, although he lad no def
mite plans in his mind, he felt he should
be wise to renew the friendship with this
extremely wealthy young women.
He let Mrs. Thorngate's CHEEKY tongue
run on. and was not very communicative
about himself.
"Just back from the Cape" he OBJ
served, when his aunt pinned him on
this point, land an uncomfortable time
I have had of 1t. Gold mines, indeed !
Mole like treadmills. Never worked 40
hard In my life, and nothing for it ~
He laughed softly. "Auat Agatha. I
have come home with empty pockets!'
A slight shade passed over Mrs. Thorn
gates face.
1--WE must not let that last, Beverley. -
she replied then q little more hurriedlv
you still have your small Income. Of
course?"