The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-03-12
CHAPTER l.

CHAPTER l.
Xminster is all alive, simmering, bub-
bling I'VE. with excitement the magnates
are adjusting ribbons, fitting wreaths
seeming pocket handkerchiefs, stretching
gloves, tying white neck cloths, and 9th
erwise preparing for the momentous even
ing. The inferior clay of Xminster hover
about the gateway of The George hotel,
in all that exhilaration of spirits that
gratuitous sightseeing is wont to produce
among the multitude. 1t is but momen-
tary glimpse of some hundred or so of
ladies and gentlemen in evening attire
that is destined to be the reward of their
patience; but then, you see, Xminster is
town in which the stream of life runs
50 sluggishly. Circuses, conjurers, lee
turers, monologue entertainers, ETC., are
rather shy of minister; the little town
is SO thoroughly habituated to retiring to
rest at an early hour, that even the visits
of some of these talented and adventur-
GUS beings have failed to tempt the in
habitants to forego their beds or to ex-
pend their silver.
But the dullest village in England rec
ognizes some occasions in the year on
which dreary mirth takes the place of
melancholy stagnation. They were two
the fair and the dispensary ball. 1t is
the latter carnival which is st present
causing the pulse of Xminster to beat
with feverish rapidity, and the popula-
ton are already waiting to display their
critical acumen on the bellies of town and
country.
The dear old country fiddles are playing
their somewhat superannuated dance mu.
sic with all the wonted animation and dis
regard of the niceties of tune which is sc
much the characteristic of provincial
bands. There is no lack of pretty girls
tastefully dressed, in valse and quadrille
III the queer old room with its still queer
er attempts at decoration in those gaudy
festoons of artificial flowers. But state
ly young lady, dressed in white, with
green-and-gold trimmings, seems to beal
away the palm. More than one murmur
ed tribute to her beauty escapes the lips
of the lookers-on as she whirls by.
"Who is she? She moves like queen
amongst the rest, and they are cookbook.
ing girls, too, some of them" And the
speaker, rather cOarse-looking dark
man, a little the wrong side of thirty
turned for information to the knot OF
men he was lounging with at the door.
Haven't you ever seen her before
Pearman? No, 1 suppose you hardly
could have done. She goes out but little
that's Maude. Denison."
what daughter of old Denison OF
Glinn?"
Just so-former owner of all those fat
acres which have since fallen into your
respected progenitor's possession" and a
slight infection of voice just italicized the
epithet: for Gus Brisden was of good
old county family, and had little rever-
ence for the Pearmans of Mannersley.
Yes, very handsome was Maude Deni-
son. She was beauty of the regal or
der. and her stately carriage alone would
have suficed to make men ask, "Who is
she?" even without the rich brown
tresses, proud grey eyes, and regular fea-
lures.
81 must know her !" said Pearman.
"Can you introduce me, Brisden?"
"No; l barely know her myself re-
piled Gus.
II must go and find somebody who
can" and Pearman hurried away.
Apparently he was successful, for,
shortly afterwards he led out Miss Denl-
son for a quadrille, during which Mr..
Pearman did his uttermost to make him.
self agreeable. He was a very earthly
piece of clay, but he had enjoyed the
advantage of a good education, and was
by no means deficient in ability. He had
achieved a certain amount of tact while
undergoing the friction of such society as
he had encountered, and proved himself
an apt pupil in worldly knowledge. This
stood him in good stead just now. When
he led Maude Denison back to her chap
erone she certainly thought he was by
no means the least agreeable partner she
had had that evening. She had but just
resumed her seat when a tall, fair man
was by her side. His brow was slightly
knit, and his eyes sparkled angrily as he
exclaimed, MY dear Maude, how could
you dance with that man?"
(which, Grenville?" inquired Miss
Denison, smiling. II have danced with
good many tonight, including your
sweet self, cousin mine."
Don't be absurd, Maude; you know
very well whom mean-that dark man
your last partner.
..And wherefore should not dance
with him?" inquired Miss Denison.
For a hundred reasons. His name
alone should have suficed to prevent it. :
Dear me-" laughed the young lady,
merrily. "You have piqued my woman's
curiosity. Do tell me who this monster
of iniquity is, for, truth to say, did
not catch his name when he was intro
duced to me"
"YeQ didn't know who he VAST