The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1912-09-06
CHAPTER vII-fcontinued).


rejoined. eff I thought Floyd would
not object, or feel that I took advan-
tage of his absence, l should ask II
you would do me so much honor as
to go to the theater with me, this
evening"
Her gray eyes widened, the color
flushed through her transparent skin.
Suddenly and wildly Stanton was re-
minded of Floyd's face on the first
night when he invited the mechani-
clan to race with him for the season.
"You are asking me?" she doubted.
ct would like to do so. But not if
you think Floyd would refuse to let
me, If he were here. He can't have
much of an opinion of me-
81 wish 1 might tell you what Jes
thinks of you," she made grave an
swer. Il am quite sure that he would
let me go with you, Mr.. Stanton; you
are very good and 1 thank you from
the bottom of my heart"
The little old Irishwoman in black
silk opened the door for him, beam
ing and smiling. Amazed at himself,
bewildered by sense of having seen
Floyd and yet not seen him, Stanton
went down into the practical city
street.
He spent two hours in selecting an
irreproachable play and theater; a
task of some delicacy in this his ma
tive town. After which, he ate per-
functory dinner and went home to
dress. Stanton, whose overbearing
willfulness spared no one, whose
rough tongue hurt his mechanician as
often as they met, would no more
have taken Floyd's sister to dine with
him in a public restaurant without
Floyd's permission, than he would
have stolen his purse.
1t was a dazzling Jessica whom he
found waiting for him, at the appoint
ed hour. Yet she was simply gowned
In delicate gray, with demure lace
collar that came up to her round chin,
and long lace sleeves. It was her
vivid, expressive face; the bronze
curls massed under the wide gray
hat, the splendid glow and young vi
tality Of her, that made people look
and look again. Stanton approved Of
her unreservedly; he had fixed mas
culine notions of what women should
wear in public places.
On her left arm, over the transpar-
ent sleeve, she wore an antique silver
bracelet fully four inches in breadth;
a singular ornament, set with dull tur-
quoise matrix. When Stanton assist
ed her to remove her cloak, at the
theater, she suddenly WINGED.
"The BRACELET caught my arm"
she explained, before he could ques-
ton. ct is too heavy, really, to
wear"
But nevertheless, she did not take
it off, and several times through the
evening touched her gloved finger to
the silver band as If to assure her
self that it was in place. A souvenir,
perhaps, Stanton idly reflected. He
was too much interested in the wear
er to pay heed to the bracelet Except
for the hours passed with Floyd, he
had never experienced anything like
this satisfying companionship.
The performance had ended. and
Stanton was carefully plotting his
charge through the slow-moving mass
Of people, when he heard his own
name exclaimed. He glanced around.
and saw Valerie Carlisle coming
down the stairs from the boxes, her
large, amber eyes fixed upon him.
Under the strong light, in her elab-
crate pale-green gown, her shoulders
bare and showing satin-white where
her cloak had slipped back, her blonde
hair circled with wreath Of green
enameled and jeweled leaves, she was
conspicuous enough to draw the
glances of all those passing, as well
as that of the man she called. Stan
ton bowed and would have continued
on his way, but she called a second
time, adding gesture Of summons.
Mr.. Stanton!"
Evidently she expected him to ex.
cuse himself momentarily from his
companion, as she had moved q few
steps from her father and the younger
gentleman who accompanied her. But
stanton's eyes glinted cold rasistaucG