The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-14

farmer. perhaps from some still lurking
suspicion of being overheard by caves
choppers, or possibly from a humane de-
sire to relieve the strained apprehension
of the women, Red Jim, as the farmer dis
appeared to rejoin the stranger again,
dropped into a lighter and gentler vein Of
Renaissance. He told them how, when a
mere boy, he had been lost from an emil
grant train in company with a little girl
some years his junior. How when they
found themselves alone on the desolate
plain, with the vanished train beyond
their reach, he endeavored to keep the
child from knowledge of the real danger
of their position, and to sOothe and
comfort her. How he carried her on
his back, until exhausted he sank in a
heap of sage brush. How he was sur
rounded by Indians, who, however,
he remained motionless and breathless
with the sleeping child, for three hours
until they departed. How at the last
moment he had perceived a train in the
distance and had staggered with her
thither, although shot at and wounded by
the train men in the belief that he was an
Indian. How 1t was afterwards discovered
that the child was the long lost daughter
of millionaire; how he had resolutely re-
fused any gratuity for saving her, and she
was now peerless young heiress-famous
in California. Whether this lighter tone
of narrative suited him better, or whether
the active feminine sympathy of his
auditors helped him along, certain it was
that his story was more coherent and in
telligible and his voice less hoarse
and constrained than in his pre-
vious belligerent "reminiscences; his ex-
preston changed and even his features
worked into something like gentle emo
ton. The bright eyes of Phoebe fastened
upon him. turned dim with a faint moist
ure, and her pale cheek took upon itself
little color. The mother after interiecting
''Du tell!' and II wanter knows" re-
manned open-mouthed, staring at her WIS.,
itor. And in the silence that followed a
came from the open door.
Il beg your pardon. but / thought l
couldn't be mistaken! 1t is my old friend,
Jim HOoker!"
Everybody started. Red Jim stumbled
to his feet with an inarticulate and hys-
terical exclamation. Yet the apparition
that now stood in the doorway was far
from being terrifying or discomposing.
1t was evidently the stranger-a slender,
elegantly knit figure. whose upper lip
family Swallowed by a soft, dark mustache
indicated early manhood, and whose un-
studied ease in his well-ftting garments
bespoke the dweller of cities Good look
ing and well dressed, without the con-
seriousness OF being either, self-possessed
through easy circumstances, yet with
out self-assertion; courteous by ma
ture and instinct as we'll as from an
experience of granting favors, he
might have been a welcome addition to
even more critical company. But Red
Jim suddenly seizing his outstretched
hand, Instantly dragged him away from
the doorway, into the road and out of
hearing of his audience.
Did you year what l was saying?' he
asked hoarsey.
"Well, ycs-i think so," returned the
stranger with quiet smile.
"Ye amt goin' back on me. Clarence.
are we? Ie amt goin' to gimme away
aiore them-old pard-are ye?" said Jim
with sudden change to almost pathetia
pleading.
NO" returned the stranger smilingly.
And certainly not before that inter
ested young lady,, Jim! But stop! let
me look at you" He held out both
for moment with a boyish gesture,
and looking in his face, said. half mis-
chievously, half sadly: ..Yesi its the
same old Jim Hooker-unchangedw
but you're changed! regular war paint!
big lnjin Style" said Hooker. looking up
miration and envy. Heard you struck it
rich with the old man. and was Mister
Brant now?"
"Yes, said Clarence, gently, yet with
smile that had not only tinge of wear
mess but even of sadness in it,
Unfortunately, the act which was quite
natural to Clarence's sensitiveness, and
indeed sprang partly from some concern
in his old companions fortunes. trans
lated itself by a very human process to
Rockers consciousness as piece OF rank
affection. lie would have been exalted
and eXultant in Clarence's place, conse-
quentiy any other exhibition was ONLY
airs" Nevertheless, at the present mo-
ment Clarence was TO be placated
You didn't mind my telling that story
about savin Susy-as my own, did yep
shoulder. II only did it to fool the old
man and women folks. and make talk.
You won't blow on me. Ye amt mad
about ii ?''
1t had crossed Ciarence's memory that
when they were both younger Jim Hooker
had not only borrowed his story. but his
name and personality as well. Yet in his
loyalty to old memories there was mingled