The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-11-04
CHAPTER XIX.

The Deer Trace family and the two
guests from Woodlawn were In the mu-
sic-room when Tom was admitted, with
Ardea at the piano playing war songs
FOR the pleasuring Of her grandfather
and the ex-artilleryman. Under cover
Of the music. Tom slipped into the cir
Gle of listeners and went to sit beside
bis mother. There was a courteous
hand-wave of welcome from Major
Dabney, but Miss Euphrasia seemed
not to see him. He saw and under
stood, and was obstinately impervioas
to the chilling east wind in that quar-
ter.
Ardea fingered lovingly on the clos
ing harmonies OF nocturne, and
when the final chord was struck her
hands fingered on the keys until the
sweet voices of the strings had sung
themselves afar into the higher sound
heaven. Then she turned quickly and
surprised her anesthetized audience.
you poor th.ags!" she laughed. In
another five minutes the last one OF
you have succumbed. Why didn't some
body stop me?"
The iron-master said something
about the heavy work of the day. ana
helped his wife to her feet. The Major
came awake with a start and bestirred
himself hospita bly,, and Miss Euphrasla
rose to speed the parting guests-or,
rather, the two of them who had been
invited. In the drift down the wide
han Ardea fell behind with Tom, whom
Cousin Euphrasia continued to ignore
II came to tell you," he said. III d
low tone, snatching his opportunity. I
can't sleep until l have fought it out
with you
you don't deserve hearing. even
from YOUR best friend" was her dis
oouraging reply: but when they were
at the door she gave him formal re-
prieye. Il shall walk for a few min
utes on the portico to rest my nerves.
she said. IF you want to come la *
He thanked her gravely. and went
obediently when his mother called to
him from the steps But on the Wool
lawn veranda he excused himself. and
when the door closed behind the two
tn-going, he swiftly recrossed the lawns
to pay the penalty.
The front door Of the manor-house
was shut and the broad. pillared porti-
co was untenanted. He sat down in
one OF the rustic chairs. The door
opened and closed and Ardea stood be
fore him. She had thrown a wrap
over her shoulders. and the light from
the MUSHROOM windows Illuminated
her. There was cool scorn In the slate
blue eyes, but In Toms thought she
had never appeared more unutterably
beautiful and desirable-and unattain.
abba.
Il have come" she said, In q tons
that cut him to the heart for it's very
indifference. What have you to "A ,
for yourself?'
.Tm afraid I haven't left mvse,
much to say" he began. penitently. ..
was born foolish. and 1t seems thai
haven't outgrown 1t. But, really. II Va,
could know
-Unhappily. I do know" she inter
rupted IF did not, 1 might listen !,
you with better patience"
ut did look pretty bad" he confess
ed. "And that's what wanted to saw
1t looked great deal worse than
was. you know"
IT am bound to believe what se
with my own eyes," she rejoined "Pe-
haps you can make It appear that see
Ing Ii not believing"
-Of course can't II you take tina
attitude" he complained And then b
said irritably: You talk about friend
ship! You don't know the meaning q
the word!"
didn't I should hardly be her
a this moment" she suggested. sYo
cont seem to apprehend to what a.
Shading depths you have sunk."
~ Sins In the business iaeld "a,
esIofe MIN accusingiy ana pronpts