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

Hugh Saville sprang forward, ax.
claiming. my own love; my own dar-
ling wife!" and folded her in q rap
furious embrace, kissing her hair, her
eyes, her lips, forgetful of everything
else.
Mrs. Saville again rose from her
chair, and stood petri1ed. At last Hope
disentangled herself from her hus-
bands arms, and, crossing to where
her mother-in-law stood. said, broken
ly, Can you forgive me the deceit
have practiced? Can you have pa
tience to hear my explanation"
II am bewildered," cried Mrs. Sa-
Vile, looking from one to the other.
"Is Hope Desmond your wife. Hugh =
"She is! Can you forgive me nov? p
said Hugh, advancing to support
Hopes trembling form by passing his
arm around her.
ut is incredible! How did you come
to impose upon me in this way?"
Il will tell you all" Hope began.
when she was interrupted by mes
sage which the butler brought from
Mr. Rawson requesting to be admitted.
"Show him up; he is a party to the
fraud" said Mrs. saville. sternly.
Hugh drew his wife closer to him as
Mr.. Rawson entered looking radiant.
II trust you do not consider me an
intruder" he said.
"You come just when you are want
ed. feel my brain turnin," returned
Mrs Saville.
IF you will listen." urged Hope.
with clasped hands.
eyes, pray hear Mrs. Hugh Saville,"
said Mr.. Rawson.
Mrs. Saville turned a startled look
upon him, and Hope went on: when
came to this. good friend, who offered
me the shelter of his house so soon as
he found I was the niece Of his old
rector, I was in despair. I began to
realize the mistake, the disobedience
that Hugh had been guilty of. 1 had
Welded too readily to the temptation
of spending my life with him. / felt
that I was the cause of his troubles,
and I was overwhelmed. I wished that
I could die: anything to be no longer
burden and an obstacle. Then l heard
Mr.. Rawson speak of finding COM
nanion for Mrs. Saville. and the
thought came to me of being that COM
panion, and perhaps winning her affec-
tion for myself and restoration for
Hugh" A sudden sob interrupted her.
then with an effort, she went on: Mr..
Rawson was startled at the idea, but
h,s daughter at once took it up, and,
after some discussion. 1t was agreed
that I should make the desperate at
tamnt I was therefore introduced 10
Won nv two Of my names-Hope Des-
mond I was called Katherine Hope
Diamond after my mother, who was
Uncle Desmond's only sister. How |
had the courage to brave such an ex-
nariment | cannot now understand. for
NV heart"-she pressed her hands
against her bosom. and. disengaxinS
herself. made q step nearer her moth
acknowledgements to dutter ana tall
ma But the desire to retrieve the
wrong had wrought sustained me-.
did not tell Hugh what l had under
taken until l had been some weeks
with you. He was much alarmed. and
hogped me not to risk too much-to
,oeva as soon as could, If the strain
was too great; but he did not forbid
mo to stay. So stayed. How dread
fri the beginning was! Yet, though
Won were cold and stern, I could bear
Il for YOU are too strong to be suspi-
cious or petty, or narrow. and dared
not let myself fear you; and them
creA to know you had heart. That
i what makes this moment - tarri.