The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-06-04

/ AND SO nave you, bdTDdTd, ne re-
piled as he kept pace beside her, but
| have my share.
Your share" she exclaimed, ooh,
it's the hull cheese, it is, er full hall
and two quarters, an no flies on II
nuther."
You're a little gay tonight" he
then muttered to himself, 1T shows
she is not fool anyway"
Jest you be off, an don't bother
me-" said the child, as she turned
short up Washington street. You
show thet you air fool follerin' a
bit O. a gal like me-
81 am following you for a good rea'
son. | have seen you before" he said,
with a smile.
Seen me before" she exclaimed,
then turning to him, asked "where?'
where. Why my-er-" checked
his utterance, why here in this town.
Barbara coolly surveyed him from
head to foot "Wot," she exclaimed,
"ere in this town? Walker" and turn
ed on her heel to retrace her steps
Barbara" He caught her by the
sleeve and turned her face to him, i
want to speak with you about your
mother and little sisters"
Then you jest won't" she replied
drawing away from him, you amt af-
ter no good, I'm sure
Don't be a fool, child" said he,
little annoyed.
Il don't mean tew. so yer kin jest
hike it. or the fust cop | comes tew III
hang on tew yer collar"
Now don't be angry, Barbara"
he said coaxingly. for he saw the
child must be led, not driven, Just
take a good look at me-" He turned
her face to him and smiled.
81 sees yer" replied the unromantic
and undaunted little maid Eyer long
shanked, fiddle headed Jackie"
He looked at her in panied aston
ishment and then, standing we'll I'M
der the light of street lamp. a pace
or two from her, reproachfully said,
Barbara. cannot you remember me?'
mo" she replied with asperity," no.
I minds nothin'. l doesn't want ter
She vet failed to recognize him.
though he was indeed her father, Jack
Walker.
His mining prospects had carried
him northward into the Occur d'Alene
country, at that time a wild, unsettled
region of Northern Idaho.
He had written several letters TO
! HIS WllS, DuJ HOC one Oh lutulN ldu
reached her. and of course, no word
from her had reached him, and when
about to abandon his mining schemes
in order to turn his anxious feetsteps
homeward, he struck it rich. 1t de-
laxed him until he sold his claim, then
hurried south and arrived in Portland
Christmas Eve.
He had made some seasonable pur
oh n 20
ranged with Smith to deliver them Sc
cretly, at his house. in advance of his
arrival. And then he met Barbara, in
the manner we have related.
Her saucy, defiant attitude caused
him to realize the importance of
prompt, yet kindly action. He there
upon, took from his pocket small
package. deliberately unwrapped it,
and lifting the lid of a little square
box, revealed a ladies' small gold
watch and chain.
She became interested.
Holding it to her view, he at length
said slowly, what did father promise
his little Barbara four years ago."
The child looked up at him. A new
| light dawned in her eyes. She then
remembered his last words, the prom
ised watch, and gradually recalled his
voice and features, made somewhat
strange now by his heavy beard.
Her voice trembled. God forgive
me, | didn't know you" Then she
seemed to suddenly become excited.
for she almost shouted. "oh, dad" and
| flung herself in his arms. "Ha. ha.
knows yer now. God love yer old heart,
I do, | do" Then the strain of her
excitement gave way. her pent up
| feelings loosened and she sobbed as
if her heart would break.
Clasping her little form close to
| him, he gently kissed her forehead
and as the tears welled up in his eyes
said, "close to nv heart. my poor
child. I knew Barbara would be glad
to see her old dad home again"
| She looked up. He saw the tears
streaming down her cheeks, he felt
the convulsive throb of her heart: he
saw the glad expression of counte-
nance; he saw the lips move. anH
again STOPPING down. received a kiss
that came from the child's soul.
And YOU still love your old dad?"
said he
"Lor bless yer, dad" replied she, be-
tween her sobs, 81 do, an allus will,
an says | tew masays, |, sometime
we shall see a party wots been afar
off, a hangin bout our house agin.
| deed we shall"
1t was arranged that Barbara SHOULD
enter the house first, in order to give
her time in her own way, to break the
news of her fathers return. and to
hand back to Captain Jim the money
he gave her. Walker was to appear
some ten minutes later.
Upon arriving home. the child turn
cd the knob of the front door and find
| ing it locked. vigorously Knocked It
was these loud knocks which Captain