The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-10-14

Stance. Robert McWade knew. This
man who cooked his own meals on q
primitive gas stove and whose friends
accepted that fare with a deep-rooted
enjoyment, was happier than she
Before Barbara knew the artist she
had been conscious Of a pity for those
strugglers who seemed to be living
on nothing at all; now, she realized
that they were compensated. They
had everything worth while-she had
nothing but money.
While she fretted over her small
philosophers her portly, much-liveried
butler brought her the morning mall
Barbara's eyes lit UP. 1t was foreign
mail-letters from her own. A long,
chatty scrawl from her mother and
one from Peggy Arnott were among
them.
AS she read her chum'saletter Bar.
bara sat up suddenly, various emo
tons struggling in her animated
face. She went back over a passage
In Peggy's letter: Barbara, darling,
could you think Of anything more
startling than to be walking about
the Royal academy and there. on the
most prominent wall to see a portrait
OF Mr.. and Mrs. Toray, your own
father and mother? 1t is so splendid
piece of work that they almost
speak to you. The artist is a Robert
McWade, and 1t looks as il he
occupied high place among the
A. r. AS"
Barbara did not wait to read furth.
er. She flew down through the lodge
gate and over across the fields to
where an artist and dog were en-
joying the morning sunlight
"Why didn't you tell me that you
had painted a portrait Of my mother
and father?" demanded Barbara, with
out preface.
McWade jumped to his feet II
thought perhaps you knew" he said
fastening his eyes upon her flushed
face.
well l didn't" There was hint
of tears behind Barbara's indignant
eyes. 'T had a letter even today
from mamma and she never so much
as mentioned it. l think it is an un
fair way to treat grill" She flashed
a lightning glance at the artist and
turned on her heel.
McWade did not follow her. In.
stead, he looked out over the hills at
the brilliant color of the early sun
and 1t seemed to foretell the harmony
of wonderful day. Presently Nc
Wade turned slowly back toward the
lodge.
Come Bob" he cried to the dog
which seemed to feel a new note OF
gladness in his masters voice; "the
sooner we get our duties for the day
done the sooner we can go to her."
That night as the early moon rose
over a crest of fir trees the artist and
his dog strolled up the path from the
lodge toward Toray Manor. Barbara
was a trifle pale as she stood in the
doorway and met McWade's eyes. She
tried vainly to cover the hurt of the
afternoon with cloak OF dignity
which sat strangely upon her child
like shoulders.
do you mind If we go outsider
she asked, suddenly feeling incapable
of meeting his eyes.
Il was about to suggest this" he
said. when they found themselves en-
tering the summer house. McWade
seated himself beside Barbara on the
rustic bench and vagrant moonbeams
wandered in upon them.
Barbara" he said, with a sudden
ness that revealed long concealed
love. many months ago In London
l looked upon medallion Of a very
beautiful girl l loved the picture
girl the moment looked into heI
gray eyes and kept on loving hel
until had to tell her father about
1t. 1t was he who had the picture OF
her. After that sailed for America
in search of the original whom
found to be a thousand times more
wonderful than my dream of her.
He paused. "And-I have taken my
own way of wooing her"
In some way Barbara had discov
cred that q masculine shoulder was
better to lean upon than rustic post
But papa and mamma may not con
sent" she was saying, as the arm Of
the man swept about her.
II have their consent-in writing,
said McWade.
And the dog pounded his tail on the
floor Of the summer house in joyful
appreciation.