The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-03-28
CHAPTER XII.-(Continued.)

found Dr. Awdrey waiting to see me.
II saw Lynn's horse outside, ana
dropped in TO know If he were here.
should like to see him before he goes, II
you don't mind my waiting here
Go in and see him at once, sald
81 have done with him..
He thanked me and went into the ONCE
while / slipped into my dining room
which. as | have said. is divided from
the Office by a half-glaZed door, that IN
tercepts sound so slightly that what takes
place in one room is audible in the other
If anyone thinks it is wrong to play al
eavesdropping, let them remember that
am only a lawyer. l have no compunc-
ton TO listening in case Of this KIND.
They had got through their hrst greet
ing when | reached the door, but as
saw through the old green tafety cur
tains. they still held each other by the
hand.
a mere sprain: that's all. Painful
enough at first just enough to keep me
from running about, you know Lynn
was saying in his bluff. open tone.
why on earth didn't you write word
or two to u.s." asked Awdrey.
''Oh, | didn't want TO make fuss
about a trife-especially at such time
and YOU know what women are when
there's anything the matter with fell
low" Lynn replied, throwing himself into
chair.
Your silence made us think that the
accident was not trife,' Audrey said,
half seating himself on the table and fac
Ing his friend.
Il see now that / was to blame. I'm
sorry for it. That's all l can say, my
dear fellow"
II am sorry also. 1t must have trou-
bled Miss Dalrymple: it would have Of
Tended her had she been an ordinary girl.
Old Keene here doesn't like you: l war
rant he has put a bad construction on
your silence and done his utmost to set
her against you. Indeed it taxed my
ingenuity to find excuses for your neg
lect''
Lynn toyed with his riding whip in 81
lence for a few minutes during which
his quick brain had conceived plausi-
BILE means of escaped, and then he said :
"Awdrey, old fellow, | must tell you
from you. l purposely stayed away
was purposely silent"
. why? Let us have the whole matter
out from beginning to end
Some months ago this old rascal here,
Keene-for what purpose l cannot i'm
agine-let me to believe that l was heir
to Flexmore's fortune. In the belief that
/ should before long be in a decent posi-
ton to maintain a wife, | sought to win
Gertrude-Miss Dalrymple. Well, on the
day of Flexmore's death l discovered the
truth-that l had nothing tt, expect from
him."
The barefaced effrontery of this lie
nearly took my breath away.
Il had been living rather extravaganza
ly," continued beyond my means,
In fact-relying on being able to recoup
myself sooner or later. and then suddenly
l realized that l was thrown upon my
own resources, in debt, and incapable of
providing the woman | loved with the
home l had absolutely offered her a few
days before. OF course l am to blame
/ know that. l ought to have been pru-
dent. ought not to have counted upon
Flexmore's generosity l ought not to have
offered my hand before l was assured
beyond the possibility of doubt that
had enough to. marry upon. But you
know what | ana headstrong. impuls-
i've. thoughtless, reckless. thriftless, un-
happy wretch" His voice faltered, he
covered his face with his hands, rose alb
ruptly. stamping with Impotence at his
own weakness, and turned in silence to
the window. 1t was not a bad piece OF
acting: it took Audrey in completely. He
rose. went to the window, and, slipping
his hand through the others arm, said
There's nothing objectionable in that
Lynn-nothing that she will not readily
forgive"
Il know it, Awdrey. and that's the
worst part about it. l must break of the
engagement, but l know not how with
such a generous girl as that. l know
what she will say when 1 tell her am q
beggar; she will say, No matter, l car
wait till you are rich Wait-good era.
cious! am in debt now; a pennies.
beggar I must remain. / haven't the
ability to gain fifty pounds a year, and
never shall have. No; it must be broker
Of. said that from the first. Do YOU
know, forced myself to affront her, tina,
she might throw me over-I pretended .
brutally cruel feeling towards dear little
IAure, poor child! that Gertrude migha
think me unfeeling. 1 went of to Lon
don without word Of farewell, re
Trained from writing one kind word-al
with the same purpose. Don't you %,
now?"
Yes: but all that must be made clea,
to her." said Awdrey, slowly.
Made clear TO her? L. that the wa,
to break OF this unfortunate engage
ment?"
No; but there is no necessity to breaI
Of the engagement"
What do you mean? Surely yo,
wouldn't have me ask her to wait till
grow rich-rich! 1, who never did ,
decent days work in my life."
No: you will not ask her that. Sh
did not inquire whether you were ric]
or poor when she consented to be Won
wife; she will not refuse you now for an,
reason OF that kind. You must explail
your silence, and ask her to marry 70,
at once. Listen to me, Lynn am no
advising you without reason. Flexmor
k4