The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-09-26

heard what passed between Breen and
the planter at the front door. Why did
not Uncle Joey demand extenuating cir
cumstances? She was sure that Breen
would have dropped some hint, at least,
of Constable's part in the mysterious al
lance, had it not been for the barbed
iron of the others words. Lara's palms
ached from the pressure of her nails.
She did not go downstairs to luncheon,
but often crossed the hall, entering Con-
stables room to look at the mountain ana
cityward along the smoky highway. In
one of these watches she saw the little
black carriage of Father Damien ap-
preaching He would have driven by, but
she ran below and called to him from the
veranda:
"Come in and rest minute, father. Is
there any good to tell?"
Every little, Lara. The gray curse is
on Saint Pierre, indeed. l have grown
afraid for my people, and am warning
them to seek refuge in Fort de France.
Your guest suggested this step, and mas
helped nobly with money to care for the
people fleeing to the capital
Ouc uTeW lTOH uIul al eANNo
meeting with Constable on the highway
in the morning He told her, too, how the
young man had sent sick native mothers
and their children out to the snip 1or
refuge from the heat and sulphur fumes
and of the large sums of money ne mao
volunteered for the care OF the Favored
few who fed to Fort de France. Lara
bent her head forward toward the priest
"And what do you think of this man.
father?" she questioned suddenly.
The old mans mild gaze fell before the
glowing eyes of the girl. Il did not
think when 1 first met him that ne was
gifted with such ZEAL" he answered
weakly.
"Where is he now, Father Damien?'
'That l cannot tell, dear. We have
not seen him since morning. Some say
that he has gone to Morne Rouge; others
that he has assembled to the craters OF
Pelee."
She sprang up, but repressed the e1
clamation upon her lips. Her mother had
entered.
Good morning, Father Damien Mrs.
Stansbury said pleasantly. us Lara re-
hearsing private theatricals for your
The priest made haste to depart, saying
that he was on the way to Fort de France
with the money Constable had given, to
make the refugees there as comfortable
as possible. The ladies followed him to
the door. 1t happened that the old man
faced Lara as hes said:
Il hope it may be false rumor that
your friend has sought the craters of
Pelee. Such services as his we cannot
afford to do without. There is power in
the man"
81 think l have felt it, father" the
girl answered quietly.
"What does this mean, this talk of
friend in connection with the confrere of
a thief?' Mrs. Stansbury asked.
Il did not bubble in the use of the
word"
do you count as a friend one who
would try to put you aboard ship which
bears the reputation of the Madame de
Stael?-one who would bring to our house
the notorious Nicholas Stembridge?"
"You were also invited to go, remem-
ber."
"My dear child. you are overweight.
l cannot believe that you are appealed to
by this sudden interest of his in your well
fare; nor that you dreamed of accepting
terms that would have frightened our
Domremy saint who braved wars"
Il do not like your talk of terms, moth
er. There were no terms. Mr.. Constable
asked me to board his ship, that l might
be safe. His care for my welfare is not
important in this talk"
do you think you would be safe to go
with him."
"Safe as the sea-safe as the black
women and their babies now crowded up
on the terrible de Stael! do not care
to talk further. You have followed your
inclinations regarding Mr.. Constable. and
until now have allowed your inclinations
to be mine. l am guilty as you are of
outraging the sensibilities of man who
deserves at least the consideration of a
gentlewoman. / shall learn the truth
about these reports, and if they are as
false in substance as l believe, l shall
make up for my incivilities."
Mrs. Stansbury felt that here was a
resistance no less formidable than sudden.
It must be crashed, of course, but the
present moment was not propitious. She
laughed gently.
(To be continued.)