The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-02-27
CHAPTER vi.

did not answer. although he smiled III his
half-sleep. and knew that Tots was astlr.
anxious TO see him, To hear his voice. to
know all about the big doll that he had
told her last night was coming home with
his luggage Al the fifth or sixth sum
mons Reuben Culwick cnndescendcd TO
inform the young lady on the other side
of the door that he should be in his room
in ten minutes. and that he requested the
favor of Tots company To breakfast.
Tots. II ragged, unkrmpt. fair-hair'd,
hluc-eycd child. had been found on the
steps of the Prince Regent public house
after twelve O'Clock had struck. and the
drinkers had been turned into the road
way. No one knew anything about her,
and she knew very little concerning her
self She said something about mother
and father IN an inarticuIatc fashion
common to her eighteen months OF exist
euce. and she cried for mother for five
minutes after the policeman had shaken
her from sleep. II was II commonplace
incident IF poor neighborhoods. The only
novelty about this affair was the interest
of the man with the beard who lodged
at the tircwork shop. He took her under
his protection and said that she should
stay ut the house in Hope street and he
cared fol till the morning.
No inquiries we're ever made concern
ing Tots though Reuben advertised and
the police stations put up hill on their
blackboa along with their Found
Deads." "Burglarics" and Murders"
Tots was never passed over To the parish.
When Tots was scrubbed and conbcd Icy
Lucy Jennings she was n bright-cnough
specimen of babyhood. and in twenty-four
hours she had forgotten father and moth
~ and taken so desperately to Reuben
Cnlwick that the strong man never found
il in his heart to set her from his charity
sgain. 1t was wild idea. the Jenningscs
thought, hut they came to terms with
the lodger for the extra trouble involved
by the care of the child while he thought
il WAS best to hc done. until thinking over
il became less of habit and love be
came n stronger element in Tots favor
aud pleaded for her until the day of
which We speak.
For eighteen months had Reuben chi
wick been the protector of Tots, AMI Tots
had lived in Il world of imaginary uncles
talk of her going away Reuben had ac
ceptcd an immense responsibility. and the
weight of it had not oppressed him much.
tie had been harder and sterner man
before the child's affection for him had
changed his character a little.
Sitting ut the table watching her that
day. with his life far clearer before him
than il had been. he thought Tots would
be like daughter TO him if he lived
and if she lived. He should never marry,
aud would be able to take care of Tots
until some respectable young fellow gave
her home and name. and he was left
alone to fight ont the rest of his battle.
What that battle was to he like, Rcu-
ben Culwick was hardly certain. Once
he had thought that he was cut out for
aH'author that publishers would be- run
ming after him. aud the critical press
singing his praise and glory; but he was
almost ccrtun--not Quitc-that he had
found his level on the Penny Trumpet.
and that II few pounds Il week would be
the maximum sum which his abilities
such as they We're. might be able to pro-
cure him.
Tots aud hc were having breakfast to-
gether. and Tots was asking hundred
questions when the first post brought
him bulky packet aud two letters Lucy
made some little show of busting the fur
niure with the corners of her apron. aud
then went reluctantly toward the door.
Reuben had not made dash at his let
tors. after his usual fashion. and inn
parted the general nature of the cont
tents. and she said at last
you are not curious about your cor
respondents To-day.
Il can guess AL about thtm."
Il dare say you can" said Lucy. half
disdaufuly; "Oue's from Woman.
What n change To yuur life after this
dreary street aud us drcary people,
Reuben looked at her intently rs lie
broke the envelope of his letter. She ,,as
out of sorts still; hc had not remarked
q disagrceahle kind of old young woman.
aud particularly plain and thin. Hers
was hard life. keeping Il house aud a
simple minded brother in order. lookiAg
after a lodger aud Tots, aud not savn:
uoney. Poor old girl. what had she 10
make life hearablc cvcnt and why should
he cross her temper. and put her ont for
thu day.
She writes good hand" said Reu-
ben.
"Who?'
The girl in gray silk"
II don't know who the girl in gray ilk
is have never heard you speak of her
before"
No" said Reuben. Il suppose not
She was at my fathers house yesterday
morning. and | wondered who she was
and where she had dropped from. A
pretty girl too. llallo.
You are asked To return" exclaimed
Lucy: your fathers hesyst has softened
toward you. and heaven wills happier
time for you. rs | said that il would"
Won are very kind. hut this is from
my second-couSin Sarah
she is pretty. too. supposef' said
Lucy. with n twanging voice.