The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-11-28
CHAPTER III.


People said Miss Carringtons Wednes-
days were always fine, that she had bet
ter fortune in that respect than other
folk, and certainly the weather favored
her on this occasion, for it was the very
perfection of June afternoon, with plen-
ty of sunshine and freshness to mitigate
the heat
These Wednesdays were very popular
in the neighborhood. Miss Darlington
was a charming hostess; she had just
the right knack of entertaining people !;
she welcomed them heartily, put them
at their ease with themselves and other
people, then left them to be as free as
her own butterflies. The little wicket gate
between Moss-side and Fernleigh was al
ways set open on these occasions; Miss
Carrington's lawn was devoted to lawn
tennis; when they had finished their game
the young people were welcome to stroll
through Mr.. Moore's garden, and make
themselves at home in the cozy hooks and
shady seats with which it abounded.
As general rule, Mr.. Moore seldom
mingled with the guests his habits were
those Of the recluse. A few of his old
friends who were sure Of their welcome
and one or two of his younger favorites,
would sometimes cross the threshold and
keep him company in the cool shaded
room.
To these he would speak of his boy,
recounting endless anecdotes of his PROV
ess and courage, and often making men,
ton of his pupil Alison, or as he called
her, Sunny, for the young girl had been
i
ing his darkened hours pass more quick
ly by her ready sympathy and aptitude
cor learning.
On this afternoon he was not alone.
A young man in a light gray summer suit,
with a sunburnt, handsome face, was
standing by the window looking at the
knots of people already gathering on
Miss Carrington's lawn, with humor-
GUS, half-vexed expression in his wide
open blue eyes.
what lot of people!' he grumbled.
Il believe all Riverston is there; there
are three boats full, and two sets of
lawn tennis forming, and 1 do not know
how many more there goes Miss Merle
Miss Alison, l mean. What bore, grand
father, that l forgot all about Miss Car
rington's Wednesday, and shall have to
60 up to London tomorrow
"Why, the more the merrier. Is not
that the opinion Of young folk like you?'
returned Mr.. Moore, smiling ''Now, if
l said that l wanted you all to myself
for this one day you have spared me that
would only be an old mans sel6shness,
and l should be ashamed of myself for
giving it utterance But Won are NOT
generally so unsociable, Greville."
There. is a regular crowd" returned
che young fellow, still more pettishly.
II shall not be able to speak to Miss
Darlington, or to Miss Alison either; and
you forgot, grandfather, that 1 shall be
off to Keswick the day after tomorrow
for six weeks at least"
I am not likely to forget that. NV bow.
Well, it is pity if you are not pleased,
for they are going to keep it up unusu-
ally late; there is to be music on the
lawn. Sunny has been telling me all
about it. The moonlight is so clear that
Miss Diana has given in to the notion,
and young Hepworth has brought his
cornet. If l were you, lad, I would just
make the best of it, and join in. merrily
with the rest
And leave you sitting here. alone.
grandfather? And l thought we should
have just one of our old evenings on the
river, and should row you and Miss
harrington, and her niece to the Long
Island"
Nay, lad, am not likely to BE- long