The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-12-31
CHAPTER XVu.-(Continued.)

That evening, as Hope was playing
some Scotch airs, with great taste ana
a delicate touch, while Mrs. Savtlle sat
thinking in her chair and stroklng
Prince, note was brought for Miss
Desmond. Hope finished what she
was playing, then, asking, will you
allow me?" opened the missive.
1T is from Miss Dacre,' she added,
IN a minute or two-'a most extraor-
binary epistle. She says she writes
with your knowledge and approval.
She asks me to leave you and live with
her, and offers me one hundred pounds
a year. VIII you look at IT,
Mrs. Saville stretched out her hand.
and, after reading the letter. deliber'
ately returned it.
How do you mean to reply?'
Can you ask" cried Hope-"unless,
indeed, your knowledge Of Miss Da-
cre's intention indicates a wish that l
should leave you"
mo, it does not. l thought 1t right
that you should have the option OF re-
fusing an advantageous offer. You
would have more gayety, larger sal
airy, an easier life, with Mary Dacre,
than with a cantankerous old woman
like myself"
IF l had the money 1 should be
willing to pay a hundred a year to
stay away from Miss Dacre," said
Hope. you are severe, and rather
formidable, but l feel sure OF your
justice and loyalty, and the restfulness
OF life with you is infinitely preferable
to the fevered gayety Of Miss Dacre's
existence"
Il am glad you think so. Write to
her at once"
Hope obeyed, and, after writing with
deliberation for some minutes, gavo
the result to Mrs Saville for perusal.
Good" said that lady. ut is firm
and courteous. Let it be posted at
once. Now play me the march from
'Tannhauser,'
When that was finished, Mrs. Sa-
Vile said, Come and sit down"
Hope obeyed. There was a short
pause, and she went on: LAS you have
I chosen to stay with me, my dear Miss
Desmond, l shall increase your salary
to what Miss Dacre offered"
"You are very good, Mrs. Saville,
but l would rather you did not l
have quite enough for all | want. A
year hence, VII you have proved
me, If we are still together and you
like to offer it-But, oh, 1t is unwise
to look ahead so far"
Il am not very imaginative rer-
son. said Mrs. Saville, slowly, "but it
strikes me you have a history, Miss
Desmond"
Il suppose every one has," said
Hope, smiling Il too, have my little
story; and some day, If you ever care
to hear it, will tell you-but not Just
yet"
Il suppose it centers round some
love-affair, which you silly young peo-
pie always think of the last import
ance."
1T does" said Hope, with grave
feeling; land l am sure the import
ance cannot be exaggerated. If men
and women only allowed themselves to
think what a sacred and solemn thing
love and Its usual ending marriage is,
fewer unhappy ones would take place"
"Ah, with the vast majority love is
an unknown quantity and an insignifi-
cant ingredient. Just think what hui
man nature is, the conditions in which
1t lives, moves, and has its being: how
Is love as you exalted people accept
1t, to exist? There we shall never
agree. Pray get me the Figaro"
Miss Dacre was reproachfuI, and
even fearful, when Hope next saw her
but the much desired one" was i'm
movable
is 1t not extraordinary" cried the
disappointed heiress, that George
Lumley went off in that unaccountable
way? There is some hidden baneful
influence at work. 1t is always the
same: as soon as we are growing con-
fidential he flies off, It is a hideous
thought, but it has occurred to me
that he is secretly married to some
dreadful woman. What do you Think"
Il think there Is nothing mora nm.
likely"
well, good-by. We return to Ion-
don on Wednesday. Perhaps R,cbora
Saville will be able to tell me soma
thing Of George. Oh, 1 forget: we sboI,
just miss him. Well, If Won can ara
out anything you will be sure to write ,
You have treated me very badly. h,t
I do not bear malice. You will And
you have made great mistake. 60
good-by"
Mrs. Saviile seemed more cheerful,
and in a better temper after Lord
Castleton and his daughter left paris
though the presence, of her eldest son
was always more or less a trial.
She endured an occasional visit from
Lord Everton, who was quietly peril
nacious In cultivating friendly rela-
lions with her.
:. he was the only member of the fa,1.
ny VINO dared to mention her offend.
ins SOD, but he only ventured to do 90
"nen they were alone.
really believe you are softenin.