The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-10-29
CHAPTER VI.-(Continued.)

VlCaraSo, WneuCe Sic udu Dooh WV
patched with a message respecting
some of the local charities to which
Mrs. Saville contributed, she entered
the drawing room through one OF the
French windows which opened on
veranda and thence on to the grounds
The lady of the house was not there
but lounging comfortably in her espe-
cial chair sat a gentleman, who, dl
rectly Miss Desmond entered, rose ana
made her a bow-a bow which proved
that bowling was not yet quite lost
art. He was a tall, elderly man of IN
certain age, slight and elegant. with
fine auuiline features and light-blue
laughing eyes that looked as II boy
hood still fingered there in spite OF the
wavy hair that curled round a rather
low but well-shaped forehead. He was
carefully, admirably dressed, and indie
scribably fresh and cool, though 1t was
q burning August day.
ALLOW me to explain my appearance
here" he said, in pleasant, youthful
voice. Il have taken the exceedingly
uninteresting journey from London to
this place, and l now await Its anna
bic MISTRESS pleasure as to whether
she will see me or not"
HAS she been told you are here?"
asked Miss Desmond, taking of large
garden-hat, which she continued to
hold in her hand, wondering who this
could be- Mrs. Saville's visitors had
hitherto been few and far between, her
acuuaintances at that season being
scattered in remote regions.
Yes, l believe her major-domo has
conveyed my pasteboard to the august
presence" And the stranger, with the
air OF being very much at home, drew
forward a chair, which Miss Desmond
did not accept.
Pray, has Mrs. Saville been long
here?"
About fortnight"
And you-have you been here all
that timer"
mot quite"
AL w udC WOuuSl lCOlStih6 pO"
or! l should have imagined you would
both by this time be extinct from men,
tai hamilton" Miss Desmond laughed
"a sweet, well-amused laugh.
And you can laugh like that" he
continued. Then your vitality has OF
course kept my revered sister-in-law
alive 1t must. however, exhaust your
own vital powers to give out ozone
no, what do they call electricity
to such a degree. There is nothing to
me so soul-destroying, so deadening, as
suburban rusticity Won't you sit
down? l can't stand any longer my,
self"
Then pray do not. l do not sit
down because l am not going to stay.
I thought Mrs. Saville would come in
immediately" said Miss Desmond, who
began to perceive in some way that
this pleasant, talkative parsonage was
a good deal older than he seemed.
Since you permit it, then" And he
sank into his chair with sigh Of re-
lief. you see" he went on, this sort
of place is just far enough from Lon
don to cut you off from all the con-
veniences of town life, and too neal
for any of the legitimate amusements
and occupations Of the country"
Here the butler appeared, and said
Mrs. Saville will see you, my lord, If
you will come this way" The gentle
man rose, and made another elegant
bow as he passed Miss Desmond.
What an amusing person! I won.
der who he is. Some relation. | SUD-
pose, or he would not speak so freelv.'
thought Miss Desmond. 81 must not
go to Mrs. Saville at present" She
too left the room by. different exit
and assembled to her own pleasant
apartment. which looked out to the
front; dressing-closet opened from
1t, and. except for the bed, 1t was fur.
nished like sitting-room. After lean.
Ing from the window for some min
utes, apparently in deep thought she
went to her writing table. and I'M.
locking desk with a key which hung
TO her chain. she began to add some
lines to closely-written letter which
lay therein.
She had written for a considerable
time when the sound of wheels and
horses feet drew her to the window
from whence she saw the sentlanoa :
with whom she had spoken in the
drawlng-room descend the hall doc,
steps to enter very rusty fly or sta
ton cab. He had a comically ruefu
expression of countenance, and. look
Ing round over the front of the house
his quick eye caught sight of Miss Des
mono. To her annoyance, he lifted hi,
nat and gave slight expressive shru,
before stepping into his cab. which
drove of Immediately.
wish l had not looked out" sh,
thought; then, smiling at the idea 1
struck her very like an expulsion.
NO doubt Mrs. Saville could be- YER,
seVere-even cruel; but she is good t,
me- l had better give her the vicar,
message; yet l feel half afraid. Thi