The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-01-21
CHAPTER XXI.-(Continued.)

one from Mr.. Rawson" She opened it.
and then, growing rather white, ex-
claimed, why, it encloses one from
Hugh!" This she read eagerly, and
then reperused it.
All, II l could believe he cares for
mel" she said. at length. THE letter
Is like himself, tender yet obstinate.
He will be here nearly as soon as
this" she went on, her small, thin
fingers closing tightly on the paper.
He implores me to let him see his
mothers face once more-the mother
he has been so near losing. Rawson
has evidently told him of my illness.
He confesses had right to be angry,
but reiterates his conviction that he
has done well and wisely in securing
the sweetest wife man could have"
You will see him, dear Mrs. Sa-
ville? cried Hope, with white, parched
lips. you are SO good as to think l
was of use to you; If you would amply
repay me. see your son-let him plead
for his wife. They are married, You
cannot separate them, and If she is a
true woman it will break her heart to
know she has parted mother and son.
1t Is In your power to confer such
happiness"
Il will receive my son. As to his
wife, cannot say what l shall do. l
gave Rawson directions to have her
Wafchod. II vos oh a hhv thine fo do
but l did 1t. He has had her closely
Swallowed, but she has been absolutely
we'll conducted. Still, IL 1t is In my
power to confer much happiness. 1t
was in hers to create much misery,
and she did it! Why, Hope, what is
the matter3 Are you ill?"
Hope fell back In her chair so dead
II white and motionless that Mrs. Sa-
willie was terror-struck. She rang vio-
lently, and, rushing to the fainting
girl, began to rub her cold hands.
Bring water, wine! send Jessop!
call the doctor!" she cried. in great
agitation, to the astonished butler,
who had never before seen his imperi-
GUS mistress 20 moved.
r"The doctor has Just driven OF. m;
but will send Jessop."
Soon the lady's-maid, the butler.
and the housekeepsr were trying to
bring Miss Desmond back to life.
When she did open her eyes they
sought Mrs. Saville's; she smiled and
feebly put out her hand.
Nov she must 80 to bed" said Mrs.
saville, holding the offered hand tn
both her own. she had better be
carried up-stairs."
II can walk quite we'll; at least In
few minutes" murmured Hope. III
Jessop will help me-"
Thus Hope was relegatsd to her own
room, where Mrs. Saville insisted she
must remain all the next day. Won
derful to relate. that lady spent most
of 1t at her bedside. reading or knit
ting. Neither spoke much, yet they
had a certain comfort In the compan-
ionship. Miss Rawson called, and
was admitted during Mrs. Saville's alb
sence, when she went for a short air
ing. which she considered essential for
her own health.
To her Hope explained that she must
for the present refuse her hospitable
invitation. Then they talked long and
confidentially, and Miss Rawson took
charge of couple of l0t+ers ~'hen she
babe her young friend good-by.
It was now established that Miss
Desmond was not to appear till lunch
eon-time, Mrs. Saville being content to
read the papers herself. The doctor
was not quite satisfied; his young pa
tient did not recover strength or tone;
she was depressed and nervous, averse
from food, sleepless. Some complete
change to a bracing place might be
necessary. Mrs. Saville, who was
deeply concerned, went eagerly into
the question Of localities, but Hope i'm
plored, almost piteously, not to be sent
away.
It was the end of September, and
London was at its emptiest; Mrs. Sa.
VILE was therefore spared the visits
and kind inquiries Of her kinsfolk and
acquaintance. She was Ill at ease from
anxiety concerning Hope. All that was
kindly and grateful in her strong ma
ture had been drawn forth by the des-
olate orphan girl who had the spirit
to Withstand her hitherto unree'sted
tyranny, and the perception to appeal
to the better self which lay beneath it.
So Mrs. Saville sat by herself, think
ing deeply Of her past, her present,
and the possible future, one warm,
rainy morning. "Horrid weather for
Hope" she thought; impossible for
nerves to get right under such skyey
influence" Yes, she must get Hope
out Of town. How desolate her life
would be without that girl! and she
would need comfort and support In
coming years. Even II she brought
herself to accept Hugh's wife, she
would probably turn out thorn In
their side and keep her and her son
apart.
Here the old butler, with beamins
| Aon> ~rrrurnod UMr H,,0h ma'am