The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-10-22
MRS. ALEXANDER
CHAPTER ".

The vindlctlve pleasure OIL Styling
her will, and receiving a stiff acknowl-
alignment from Mr.. Rawson OF Its
safe receipt, occupied Mrs. Saville for
a few days, before the expiration OF
which she received a few polite lines
from Miss Rawson saying that, II
quite convenient, Miss Desmond would
call on Mrs. Saville between one and
two on the following day.
81 am sure | hope she will do, and
not be too silly" thought the imperl-
GUS little woman, as she penned a
brief acceptance Of the appointment
1.-The generality Of women are wonder
fully foolish and narrow; though men
are idiotic enough too, occasionally. A
whole day of Richards company is al
most more than | can stand; yet he
is always respectable, and would never
commit the culpable folly hfs-there,
will not think any more of that.
The morrow came bright and warm,
and Mrs. Savile established herself in
the smaller of her two drawing rooms'
a beautiful and Observation-Disclosures
ROOM full of buhl and marble-lnlald
tables. luxurious chairs and sofas, old
china statuettes, flowers, and all the
etceteras which wealth can give. Ii
opened on a small conservatory IN
which a fountain played, and was cool
er than her boudoir.
She was half-reclining among the
cushions of a lounge, with her pre-
cious little dog beside her, and trying
to give her attention to a newspaper,
when the door was opened and Gap
tain Lumley' was announced.
why, where did you come FROM"
she exclaimed, not too cordially, and
holding out her small-beringed hand to
a tall, slight, well-set-up young man,
with light hair and moustaches, laugh
ing ewes, and a certain resemblance to
Hugh Saville, though Of sllghter,
weaker type.
From Herondyke, my dear aunt
he returned, drawing a chair beside
her Il have just a day or two In
town, and l thought I'd try If you
were still here"
Are you on your way to Houns
low"
Yes, just like my luck! they give
me my leave when there's not a thing
to do. And that young beggar Mig
nolles, my sub, gets it next week"
81 suppose you are all as usual?"
Eyes. Uncle Everton is at Heron
dyke just now, and in great force. He
is the most amusing old boy 1 ever
met Are you better, Aunt Saville?
My uncle said he called here on his
way through, and you were not well
enough to see him"
Il was not we'll; and l certainly
should not get out of my bed to see
Lord Everton"
Wouldn't you? Well, I-Oh-ah-
yes, to be sure" said the young man,
hesitating 81 am glad to see you look
Ing so much better, at all events" he
went on. When do you go down to
Inglefeld?"
ION Saturday"
Sdu olICu llOC ONcl anu SCC yOu,
continued Lumley, with a fascinating
smile. He had a nice voice and a
pleasant caressing manner; indeed. he
was considered very irresistible
young man by the women, and mot a
bad fellow" by the men.
you are very good" frigidly.
II suppose there is hardly a soul
left in town. Just called at the Mont
gomerys', and found the house shut
up; so l came on here to have a chat
and bit of luncheon
my dear George, l don't mean to
give you any luncheon lady Is
coming here; she ought to be here
now 1 am going to test her uualifica
lions for the onerous Office of compan
ion to myself, and 1 can't have YOU
here talking nonsense"
won't she be a bore?"
do you think 1 shall allow myself
to be bored?"
well, no. Aunt Saville," said LINN
ley. with bright smile, Il don't think
you will"
Here the door was again thrown
open, and the butler announced, with
much dignity, Miss Desmond"
There. you may CO." said Mrs. sa
vile. impatiently.
Very WELL" said the young man
spontaneously. Il will call again be
fore l leave town. My mother con,
you her best love-"
L am very much obliged. If YOU
want dinner, come back here"
"A thousand thanks, | am a,ro.a,
engaged. Au revoir!" He shook hands
and retreated, pausing at the door =,
let a lady pass-a tall, slender voune
woman, in a simple black dres. =.
straight as it could be at that nar,oI
OF fiounces, furbelows, draperies .nf
sashes. The newcomer was Young vo
youthfully mature: she wore n ouiet