The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-01-08

80 900 80 900 es%~"S
90 SO ~ 90 ~ -
, terlng the well known race ana iIguI I
gaunt stranger slowly rose from a
chair In the far end Of the room, where
he had been sitting his back to the
light. His beard was gray, his hair
gray and worn thin about the temples.
l saw that he had deep sunkcn eyes
and heavy brows that bristled conspic-
uously. Once man of conspicuous
stature. his powerful shoulders now
dropped forward in way that be-
tokened the presence Of Ill health His
face was very pale, and across the
bridge Of a commanding nose the skin
was drawn tightly.
Without speaking he advanced slow.
ly toward me, and I saw that his eyes.
deep set and piercing as they were,
wore frightened, hunted expression
which filed me with considerable ap-
prehension. Nor was l the more re-
lieyed when he threw a stealthy glance
from side to side and nodded for me to
close the door. grew suspicious in an
instant and invOluntarily drew back
from him. remembered my uncle's
warnings and bcheld in this man pos
sible enemy. lie saw my indecision
and smiled, and that act recalled me to
sense of dignity. ! was now big
fellow and not to be frightened by a
shadow.
"Your name Is James Dayie?' he
said.
"Yes, SIR"
"But 1t used to be Davie kingston"
Startled and more suspicious than
ever, watched him closely.
81 will not deny IT," said. "But how
do you know?'
lie advanced still closer and fixed his
little piercing eyes on me.
Look at me WELL" said he, land try
to think"
l did as I was hidden. but failed to
recognize him.
II do not know your face. ! have
never seen 1t before
Not even In a dream?" he asked.
AS he spoke he hid with his right
hand the lower part Of his chin and
beard. I started back with cry, for
I recognized the portrait at once.
ayes, I know you now. You are my
father?"
EYES," he answered with a grim
smile: "your father come back at last"
10 say that entertained ut that mo-
ment any feeling but one of utter as
tonlshment would scarcely be accurate.
II was my father 10 doubt, but hither-
to he had been nothing more to me
than distant memory, thought.
word, and for him l had no well of
filal love waiting to bubble over. In
deed, his looks repealed me, and 1t was
with an effort held out my hand and
said, II AM very glad to see you, sir"
"Thanis,' he replied coldly, stretch
ing out n long bony claw, the chilli
ness Of which almost made me SILVER
II knew you would be-"
Ills llltlC III VI SAL tftSlll, dCtOlHpo-
MED as it was by singularly compre-
henslve look, nonplused me somewhat,
but l managed to stammer out, You
know Of course that my mother Is
dead"
A great SILVER seemed to sweep him
from bend to foot. and Involuntary he
cast all uneasy glance across his Shout
der.
eyes; your uncle has told me-
"She was murdered on the day she
got your letter warning her against
some persons unknown"
ayes, yes" he answered rather testi
ly. Il have heard all about it."
"Who were those persons" I asked.
"Was one of them dark complexion
ed man with strange, Chinese eyes?
Again he threw that frightened look
over his shoulder and bent his head as
though listening for some step or
sound.
II don't know" he said. but not with
out some confusion. Il am not quite
sure Of what referred to. However,
It is all over now We have other
things to think Of
lie went back to his seat by the win
dow and sat there, scanning me intent.
ly. ;
You are a strappng fellow" he said
How old are YOU?
Seventeen"
He rested his head in his hand and
began to think, and | saw the furrow
deepen between his brows and the
brows themselves come together until !
they formed forbidding line across
kis face. knew what was passing In
his mind, and l did not envy him the
possession Of it.
"Let me see," he said. ut Is nine
years since have seen your
"Nine years." answered.
"And she has been dead
1.-Two years."
"ueavens," he cried suddenly, slap.
ping his forehead, my brain Is going!"
Her death created a sensation" I
continued. at Is strange that you
should not have heard Of It,"
mo, not strange, considering where
! was at the time"
1--WE made sure that you were In
kome out of the way place-or dead"
"Dead!' he cried Eyes, by heavensl
! might have been dead so tines"
Then recollccting himself he added in
a lower tone: IA out Of the way place,
as you say. was cruising In the south
sea islands at the time, place with
out newspapers and telegraphs. Poor