The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-11-19
CHAPTER TX

SS DoSio was very peTS0VoTluS
young woman, nor was she restrained
by any sensitive delicacy in pursuing
her designs. Hitherto she had rather
liked Mrs. Saville in surface fash.
ion, fattering herself that she was a
favor1te with the stern little woman.
On this supposed favoritism she was
always ready to presume. Hope Des-
rnond and Mr.. Rawson were therefore
somewhat appalled, when the sounds of
voices and approaching footsteps in
the pleasure-groundt to which the win
dows of the smaller drawing-room
opened made themselves heard about
tea time, when Mrs Saville had come
In from short stroll with her conf
Dental adviser, and Hope had descend
ed from her own room, Where she had
enjoyed a couple Of hours solitude.
These sounds were followed by the ap-
pesrance of Miss Dacre, Saville, Lum.
ley and Lord Everton.
so sorry you were not able to come
to church this morning, dear Mrs. Sa-
ville!" said Miss Dacre, effusively, and
with the unconcerned assurance of the
class which does not hesitate, to rush
In where the sharper-sighted fear to
tread; 80 we have all come over to
inquire for you. You are looking quite
pale. You see l have brought poor
Lord Everton, who is so distressed at
being expelled from this paradise.
You really must make friends. He
could not foresee that things would go
wrong, and he is so sorry. Now, for
my sake, dear Mrs Saville, you must
forgive him, you are such near rela-
TONS"
Connections, you mean," corrected
Mrs. Saville, bitter smile curling her
lip. IF Lord Everton chooses to come,
can only admire his forgiving nature
and accept the olive-branch."
you are, as ever, just and gener-
ous," returned the impecunious peer,
with a delightful bow and smile. 81
am quite charmed with the vision of
myself as dove, which you kindly
suggest"
Mrs. Savllle turned from him with
undisguised contempt, and addressed
herself to George Lumley.
$50 you are staying at the Court?
How does your regiment, or your
troop, get on without your valuable as
sistance?"
"Disagreeable old cat!" thought
Lumley, while he said, "Oh, ride over
every other day, and the intermediate
ones they stumble on as best they can
without me-"
Il thought you were going down to
Herondyke"
Here's metal more attractive" said
Lumley, mechanically with wave
of his hand towards Miss Dacre, who
was deep in conversation with Mr..
Rawson, on whom she was smiling
with her habitual belief in her own
power to fascinate all male creatures.
Metal! Yes, 1 dare say. I some
times wonder If you are as foolish as
you seem, George"
"Oh, a good deal more So, said the
handsome hussar, showing his white
teeth in a pleasant smile. "You know
l haven't many ideas"
yet l dare say you would be less
easilv taken in than men who have"
scornfully.
Very probably, my dear aunt"
what Is the matter with you?"
asked Miss Dacre, in low tone, draw.
ing a chair to the tea-table, where
Hope Desmond presided. "You look
pale and i'll, and as If you had been
crying. Pray forgive me-" she added,
seeing the quick color rise in her vic.
TINS cheek, "but knew quite we'll you
could not stand Mrs. Saville for long,
in low tone.
"Oh, yes, 1 cam" said Hope, smiling
a brave defiance. Don't you think /
am likely to have worries and bad
news apart from poor Mrs. Saville?"
well. suppose so; but it did not
occur to me. She is not popular, you
know, though l always get on with
her. l am going to play bold stroke
Just now; it will astonish. you all
Nothing venture nothing have, you
know"
Jockey OF Norfolk, be not too
bold" quoted Miss Desmond, with
somewhat tremulous smile.
"She has been crying am certain
she has; though she is Drawing it out.
At any rate, she Is going to stick to
Mrs. Saville. wonder what she is
saying to George Lumley. Nothing
amiable, am sure"
Here Lord Everton, who had been
speaking to Saville, and Of whom the
mistress of the house had not taken
the slightest notice, approached and
begged for q cup of tea.
ut is beverage of which am ex-
tremely fond" he said, land think
decided liking for tea ought to be
patent Of responsibility to any man.
You have been good deal on the Con
tinent, believe, Miss Desmond?"
II have travelled occasionally In my
aunt's lifetime"
"Ah! and enjoyed it, dare sayf"