The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-08-06
CHAPTER III.-(Continued.)

"Don't you think that a girl who's en-
gagged to one man ought to tell other men
500"
She drew back sharply and faced me
with astounded eyes.
why, what do you mean, Mr.. Sci
den?'
was in for it, so plunged ahead
THAT day you came to the Ship, had no
idea" | Numbered on. Il did not know
you were such friend of Islip's.'
WELL" she said. ''and now that you
know"
Il think you should have told me.
ought to have known before that after
noon
She was haughtiness itself. "Why,
what affair was it of yours?
l shrugged my shoulders. Il was emit
tied to know
81 cannot understand why What
makes you think that Mr.. Islip and T.
she hestated a second-'are such old
friends:'
OF sudden we were in a very nasty
tempest, facing each other.
81 happened to see his picture in your
Iocket. 1t was lying open, face upward. y
She did not even tap her foot ; she sim
ply sat still and looked her indignation
at me.
Really. Mr. Selden, l cannot see how
that affects you. What reason could there
be for telling you my personal affairs?'
I stuck doggedly at it. II think 1
should have been told" l repeated.
She gave me a single glance, then rose.
81 am going back to the Penguin Club"
she said.
rose ALSO every good. 1 will see you
there"
"No;" she turned to me sharply. 81
prefer to 60 back alone"
She was imperious l could be equally
"And | prefer to go with you. The
pines are lonely. and it is growing late.
l owe at least that duty to your aunt"
Then she tapped her foot patiently,
angriIy. you are very tiresome. Mr..
Selden. | am my own mistress, and l do
not want your company"
"And I will not let you go back alone"
"You are very rude" She looked over
at the beach as if for some possible help.
as there no one else?" she asked aloud
There came voice from the cabin
steps behind me- "If you will permit
me. mademoiselle, I should esteem it a
great honor
We both started as if we were shot
and faced about. A tall. somewhat angu-
lar man stood before us, hat in hand, bow
ing low to Miss Graham.
II heard your question" he said. ''and
I took it on myself to answer it. Permit
me-" He stepped forward and placed
himself at the girls side.
"Who are your I asked, all amaze
ment. for l was surprised out of my wits.
'My name is Pierre DupoDceau," the
stranger said. ignoring me and addressing
Miss Graham. "and count myself fortu-
nate in coming on a lady in distress"
We both stood still. taking in the queer
figure. Never had l seen a man just
like him. He was dressed all in black,
but his clothes were singularly rich and
of strange pattern. From his shoulders
hung black cloak held under his chin
by two heavily wrought gold chains
Across his open waistcoat, which was
black satin Powered in white. were three
gold chains. and there were rings on his
fingers. Moreover, his manner was
strange. exotic, polished to a degree, and
his voice had a peculiar. fascinating for
eign softness that 1 had never heard in
any other man. His height was over six
feet. / recognized the figure that had
seen in the storm.
He was smiling easily, the least per-
turbed of the three. Permit me, made
moiselle." he repeated, and offered Miss
Graham his arm.
She shot one glance at me, and then,
half smiling, placed her hand on his arm.
So he led her across the deck to the lad
der.
1 was still dumb with surprise. 1 saw
the man in black leap to the path, help
Miss Graham down the ladder, cross the
causeway, and disappear with her behind
the cliff. Then l sat down on a chair.
Was l awake or dreaming? A man had
come out of the Ship at a crucial mo-
ment, and man who, my instinct told
me. was not Of our age or people, no
longer recognized Alastair: was begin
ming even to doubt my sober self.
CHAPTER TX.
Darkness FELL and still the man in tho
cloak did not return, and 1 went hack to
the cottage with my curiosity unsatisfed
l did not know what to make of his srd.
den appearance, nor of the summary fash
ion in which he had interposed between
Miss Graham and myself. He. total
stranger, escorting her home throupb the
woods And vet this pbasa &c a.