The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-12-30

II once ne realized tnar some one was
standing behind him.
Isn't it beautiful?, asked timid
voice. He turned quickly and faced a
young woman.
i Its the best specimen OF pure
Gothic on Long Island, incomplete as
it is" he answered.
She was a slight young woman in
a simple white gown. The rector did
| not know her and he had not noticed
her in his congregation. His face
must have suggested his inability to
place her, for she seemed slightly en-
barrassed.
/ Il don't belong here. have never
been inside the church until this
afternoon" she explained.
Are you stranger to Eel Inlet?'
he asked, with proper show of in
terest.
''This is my third summer" she
said, "and am very late this year.
I came here only last night"
Indeed" he returned, as If that
was all that could be expected of him.
Then he remembered his duty as
rector and added: Strangers are al
ways very welcome to come here"
Thank you" she said. Il should
like to come regularly. / expect to
remain here until rather late in the
season. I should like"-she hesitated
and seemed at loss to find the
words-"I should like toto help fin
ish the chapel
He inclined his head slightly in ac-
acknowledgement of her praiseworthy
aspiration, for he did not suppose that
it amounted to more. than that
'How much will it take?" she con-
tinued.
Five thousand dollars"
She sighed and he accepted 1t as a
sign that her enthusiasm was about
over. He was certain of it when she
bowed and left him without another
| word.
About noon of the following day he
received check for $4,000 made pay
able to the order of the Rev. Bede
Pomeroy. 1t was signed Flora Til
linghast," and a little memorandum
accompanied it.
Flora Tillinghast gives this as her
contribution to the cause of pure
Gothic"
"She is an angel" declared the
Rev. Bede to his inner consciousness.
When he sought the generous giver
to thank her for her welcome aid
she disclaimed modestly any especial
merit for her act and began to in
quire Immediately into his plans for
beginning the work. She manifested
the most absorbing interest in the
entire business, and together they dis
cussed materials, workmen and even
sand for the mortar She seemed to
be informed on all these points.
She displayed wonderful energy in
furthering the work. Every day she
drove down in her gay little runabout
to inspect progress, and the rector
was often at the Rookery. the big
weather-stained cottage in which
Miss Tillinghast and her aunt were
living Flora declared that she would
| remain at Eel Inlet until the chapel
was finished, and she kept her word.
1t was not until late in the season
that the Rookery was closed.
A short time afterward the Rev.
Bede Pomeroy was the guest over
night Of bachelor friend who had
been his classmate at college. AS
I they sat before the cheerful fire-log,
after a dinner which disclosed the
abundant resources of the city mans
establishment, the rector told the
story of the completion of his chapel.
lecting nothing but the name of the
woman who had made 1t all possible.
At last his friend called his atten-
ton to the omission. In response,
the Rev. Bede took from the inside
pocket of his clerical coat tiny
miniature set in silver case.
Flora Tillinghast!" almost gasped
the other man.
do you know herr
why, ,yes," he laughed hesitating-
ly. Everybody knows her. Old Tom
Tillinghast's heiress, you know.
Splendid girl-fnest ever. Every mar
rying man in town has tried his
chance"
Have your"
Eyes"
There was protracted silence. Al
last the rector rose and put his hand
on his friends shoulder.
Flora has promised to marry me
after Christmas" he said "and I want
you for my best man."