The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-04-09
CHAPTER VIII.

OeluOm ulu eye rest on pretCler PIC
ture than was made by bonnie Maude
Denison this early April morning. The
close-ftting French grey merino dress,
with the plain linen collar and cuffs, set
off her beautifully nodded figure to per-
lection, while the cerise neck-ribbon just
relieves and gives warmth to her some
what neutral-tinted robe. Moreover that
she had just returned from successful
raid on the conservatory, a snowwhite
camellia and it's blood-red sister couuet-
tishly twisted in her glossy brown hair,
sufficiently attested--those crown jewels
of the floral world looking more in place
now than when adjoining their parent
stems.
Good morning, sweet mother mine,
cried Maude, as Mrs. Denison entered
the breakfast room. only look at the
plumber I've brought you! l found old
Judkins' flowers unguarded this morning,
and | gathered and plucked. Isn't that a
bouquet, mamma, to greet you in April?''
"Yes, love-glorious. No need to tell
me Judkins was away, or never would
his pets have been despoiled in this wise
mo. cross old thing! He thinks flow
ers were made only to look at on their
stems. and not to wear or decorate
rooms"
The entrance of Harold Denison here
checked conversation. He nodded a care
less Good morning to his daughter, and
then plunged moodily into his correspond
ence. He found nothing there, appar-
emily, to raise his spirits. At length
thrusting his letters into his pockets. he
rose.
WELL" he said "things look blacker
and blacker. It's no use struggling; the
sooner my scheme is tried, the better. Dc
what you promised yesterday. DELAY is
useless"
but, Harold -" pleaded his wife
as the ever-ready tears rose to her ewes.
Don't be foolish. It's our only chance
Understand he said, crossing over to his
wlfe's chair, and lowering his voice SC
that his daughter could not catch his
words just put it before her in com
mon sense way this morning. How car
you tell she will object She can do a.
she likes about it. l have no wish t.
coerce her in any way: but, mind, tell hel
the whole truth. 1t is only fair the pro
posal should be laid before her. I'll com,
up to your room after luncheon, and yo,
can tell me how she takes it," and. turn
ing on his heel, Harold Denison left til,
room.
What's the matter, my mother" sail
Maude as she stole to Mrs. Denison'
side, and. passing her arms round he
neck, laid her fair, fresh young cbeel
against the pale, worn, troubled face
More of these dreadful money miseries
l suppose; but don't look SO fearful owe
1T. Papa looks so gloomy, and you s.
sad, it's enough to brighten poor me. Evel
II he has lost some more money, I sun
pose we shall always have enough t
live upon; and if you and 1, mother, can
have new dresses for everso long, that
nothing to be very sad about"
| am afraid Maude Denison is display
Ing an ignorance of the world, and dis
regard to the vanities and gewgaws there
OF, that may seem little hiSh-strained
but recollect that she is but eighteen
that the Ambinster was her first ball. an
That, owing to her fathers pride an
straitened circumstances, she has lived
very secluded life
Few were the strangers that came with
IN tne gates OF Glinn of late years. Ha,
oio Denlson scorned to entertain miles
ne couid do SO with all the old LAWS