The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-06-20

| cred the scandal 70 which need not
again refer. and, In revenge, is levy
| ing this blackmail. The law shall
strike him, If there is Justice left IN
! England"
| "And where do come int" asked.
| for he had paused In furry Of indig'
nation.
Perhaps had better explain
Peace interposed. Owing to this un'
fortunate love affair, 1t Is plain tnat
no member Of Mr.. Coran's family must
learn that this young man is suspect
ed or that steps are being taken lor
his arrest. 1t would not be unreason-
| able to fear that he might be warned
l am staying with Mr.. Coran ton1gnt'
but I do not want to go alone.
might take an assistant from the Yaro'
/ but it is hard to pick man who mas
not criminal Investigation depart
ment' stamped upon him. You LOOK
innocent enough, Mr.. Phillips. VIII
you come with us, and lend me d
hand?"
C6A OCA at OAANOs ~ NOu1N
to be an amusing adventure. After
some discussion, 1t was arranged that
Peace and I should be introduced as
business friends OF Mr.. Coran, VINO
had asked us down to Brendon on a
sudden invitation. A telegram was
sent off to that effect
For the first fifteen minutes OF the
train we shared crowded compart-
ment Gradually, however, our COM
panions dropped away until we were
left to ourselves. Mr.. Coran was IN
evident hesitation of mind. He shifted
about, screwing his hands together
with most doleful countenance'
When he commenced to speak ne
leant forward as If afraid that the
very cushions might overhear MIN.
II have mentioned my sister Re-
becca," he said "She is woman OF
remarkable character"
Indeed" l murmured, for he chose
to address me more directly.
I'VE have differed lately on several
points of-er-local interest. 1t Is
very important that she should not
learn the cause of my appeal to the
police. Anything that aroused ner
suspicious might lead to consequences
very disagreeable to myself"
Il will be discreet"
my daughters will-er-benefit
largely under her will. She would cut
them out of it without hesitation II
she learnt that their father had been
connected with -disgraceful a
scandal You understand the s1tua-
tion?"
Perfectly. 1t must render your po-
sition additionally unpleasant"
He sighed and relapsed into mel
ancholy silence, in which the train
drew up at Brendon station. A cab
was in waiting, into which we climbed.
A couple of turns, short descent,
and we drew up at gate in long
wall of flaming brick.
AS we walked up the drive looked
carefully about me. The house was
also Of red brick and OF mixed archi-
lecture. / believe the architect had
intended it for the Tudor period. with
variations suggested by modern SAM
tary requirements. The garden before
the windows was OF considerable size,
with laurels and quick-growing shrubs
lining the edge of lawn and several
winding walks. At the farther end a
matched roof, rising amongst the
young trees, showed the position OF
the summer house which played SO
important a part in the story we had
heard
It was striking six as we entered
the hall. Our host led us straight to
our rooms on the first floor. We had
been told not to bring dress clothes,
so that ten minutes later We We're
ready to descend to the drawing
room.
Mr.. Coran's daughters, a pair OF
pretty, bright-faced girls. were seated
in those careless attitudes which de-
note the expected appearance OF
strangers. Miss Rebecca, a tall. spec
tacled female, whose sixty years had
changed curves for acute angles. re-
posed in the window, reading vol
ume of majestic size. She laid 1t
down with a thump, removed her
glasses and received US with great
modesty and decorum. The inspector
and fox terrier, that set up bark
ing as we entered, were the only men,
bers of the party that seemed natural
and at ease.
found the dinner pass pleasantly
enough, despite the gloom that rad-
ated from the brother and sister.
Emily, the victim OF the "unfortu-
nate attachment" quite captured my
fancy. though am not ladies' man.
Twice we dared to laugh, though the
reproving eyes of the elders were con.
stantly upon US. In the intervals OF
my talk with her obtained the keen
est enjoyment from listening to the
conversation of Peace and Miss Re-
becca The lady cross-examined him
very much as II he were prisoner &C
cused of various grave and monstrous
offenses. Upon the question OF anti
vivisection she was especially urgent
CHRONICLES TO BE CONTINUED,
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