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

becoming bonnet, and was rdlnel pare
warmly, BEAUTIFULLY pale-wlth
wavy nut-brown hair, pair OF dark
gray or blue eyes, deepened by nearly
black brows and lashes, sweet pa
thetic mouth and red dewy lips; she
moved with easy undulating grace
suggestive of long, well-formed limbs.
"a fine GIRL" was the young dra-
goon's mental commentary, as he stood
aside to let her pass. and, with slight
bow, disa ppeared from the room.
Miss Desmond" repeated Mrs. Sa-
vile, come and sit here beside me-
She looked piercingly at her visitor as
she made slight courtesy and handed
her a note before taking seat, say
ing, in a soft, clear, refined voice, Mr..
Rawson was so good as to give me
few Introductory lines"
Quite right A lawyers instructive
precaution," returned Mrs Savllle,
opening it and glancing at the con-
tents.
Il suppose you know the usual sort
Of service expected from a companion!
reading aloud, writing letters, doing
the agreeable when there Is no one
else to talk, and, above all, understand
ing when to be silent. 1t can't be the
most delightful kind of life; but you
will have a comfortable home if you
stay"
Miss Desmond had colored family
while she listened, and now smiled,
pleasant smile, though her lips qulv'
cred as if she were a little nervous.
when you want to earn your bread
you do not expect to De housed and
paid merely to amuse yourself.
think l know what my duties would
be-"
add to this knowledge that l am
very exacting person, without a tinge
of sentiment l have no notion OF
treating any one who does me certain
service for certain remuneration as
daughter. That is all nonsense"
II think it is" said Miss Desmond,
calmly.
Mrs Saville looked at her sharply,
and met a pair Of very steadfast eyes
in which something like a smile lurk.
ed How old are you?" she asked
abruptly.
Il shall be two-and-twenty in Sep
TENDER next"
Hum! you look at once more and
less than that Can you read aloud?'
Eyes. Whether l can read well is
for you to judge"
Can you play or sing?'
Il can play a little"
Il know what that means Now
suppose you read me this speech of
Lord Hartington's," handing her the
paper Miss Desmond took it, and i'm.
mediately began. After about ten min,
utes Mrs. Saville said, not unkindly
That will do. You read fairly we'll
You do not pronounce some names
properly"
For names there is no rule, and
sometimes opinions respecting them
differ. l shall, Of course, pronounce
them in the way you prefer.
Mrs. Saville was silent for a mo-
ment. "If you are inclined to try a
couple of months with me, l am will
ing to try you"
That Is best. Trial only can prove
if we suit each other"
Have you settled about terms with
Mr.. Rawson?"
yes; they are most satisfactory"
no 70 ho
try in a day or two, and then l hope
you will join me- You have been on
the Continent, 1 believe; then you can
read French?"
Yes, fairly WELL
There is the bell Pray join me at
luncheon"
Thank you, shall be very happy
Takes things coolly," thought Mrs.
Saville; knows her own value, proba.
bly,. So much the better. l could not
stand gushing girl"
At luncheon the hostess started var,
ious topics in an easy, unstudied way,
and found that her young guest.
though far from talkative, was quite
equal to discussing them intelligently.
AS soon as they rose from the table,
Miss Desmond took leave Of her new
lady patroness, promising to obey her
summons whenever it came.
Really" thought Mrs. Saville, AS
she dressed for an afternoon airing, 81
believe that girl may do. If she does
not, why, it is no great matter. She
certainly has the air and manner of a
gentlewoman."