The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-26

premature congratulations Fate had only
been trthing with me 30 far. Ny real
trial was about TO begin.
I remember one day being sent Tor
by the head master and told that gem
tleman was waiting TO see me In the vi
sitors' room. Thinking II was my uncle
and delighted at this unexpected visit, l
rushed toward the door. and, findfng II
ouen. bounded In. my hand outstretched.
But instead OF encountering the well
known face and hgure gaunt stranger
slowly rose from a chair In the far end
OF the room. whore he had been sitting.
his back 10 the light. His beard was gray,
his hair gray and worn thin about the
temples saw that he had deep sunken
eyes and heavy brows that bristled con-
spicuously. Once a man OF conspicuous
stature his powerful shoulders now
dropped forward in a way that betokened
the presence OF Ill health His face was
very pale. and across the bridge OF
commanding nose the skin was drawn
tightly.
without speaking he advanced slowly
toward me- and saw that mis- eyes. deep
set and piercing as they were. wore
frightened. hunted expression which
filled mo with considerable apprehension
Nor was / the more relieved when he
threw a stealthy glance from side to ssoe
and nodded for me TO close the door. I
grew suspicious In an instant and In
voluntarily drew back from him, re-
membered my uncles warnings and be-
held In this man a possible enemy. lie
saw my indecision and smiled, and that
act recalled me TO q sense OF dignity. I
was now big fellow and not TO be
frightened by shadow.
"Your name is James Davie7" he said.
Yes SIR"
But II used 70 be Davie Kingstonr'
Startled and more suspicious than ever.
n t...Il 4. .Ir
II will not deny it.r I said. But how
do you knowg'
He advanced stiii closer and fixed his
little piercing eyes on me.
Look at me well, said he. "and try to
think"
did as was hidden. but failed to rec
IT do not know your face. have
never seen 1t before"
mot even In a dream7" he asked
As he spoke he hid with his right hand
the lower part OF his chin and beard.
started back with cry for I recognized
the portrait at once.
Yes. / know you now. You are my
fatherY'
Yes" he answered. with grim smile;
Your father come back at last"
To say that I entertained at that mo-
ment any feeling but one Of inter aston
ishment would scarcely be accuute. II
had been nothing more 10 me than a
distant memory. a thought. a word. and
for him i had no well OF filial love wait
ing TO bubble over. Indeed. his looks re-
PEELED me- and II was with an effort I
held out my hand and said. Il am very
glad rhsnss 10 sss 'Gy Y I,s replied oodly stretch
ing out n long. bony claw. the chilliness
of which almost made me shfver. Il
knew you would be.
This little bit of sarcasm, accompanied
as IL was by singularly comprehensive
look. nonplused me somewhat but I
managed TO stammer out. You know, OF
course. that my mother is deadY'
A great shiver seemed to sweep him
from head TO foot, and involun tarily he
cast an uneasy glance across his shoul-
der.
yes; your uncle has told me-"
"she ives murdered on the day she got
your letter warning her against some
persons unknown"
Yes. yes" he answered rather testi-
ly. 81 have heard all about IL"
"who were those persons?" / asked.
WAS one of them a dark compiexioned
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. II am not quite
sure OF what I referred TO. However,
II is all over now. We have other things
TO think Of"
He went back 10 his seat by the window
and sat there, scanning me intently.
"You are a strapping fellow" he said
suddenly. How old are your"
Seventeen"
He rested his head In his hand and be-
gan TO think. and saw the furrow deep
en- between his brows and the brows