The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-02-06

brought up well or looked after carefully.
and had been only taught to fear you.
My mother, who had been separated from
you for some years, l was learning to re-
spect then. When we quarreled. went
to take care of her as well as l could.
was with her when she died"
You know how hated your play-act-
ing mother-how she hated me. Why do
you tell me that you sided with her, when
it would be so much the better policy to
keep this to yourself?" said the father,
bitterly.
Because 1 am not afraid of you any
longer-because l see now where you
were wrong"
And you expect me to forgive this de-
ceit, as old men do at the end of play?"
'Or toward the end of their lives" add
ed Reuben.
Don't talk to me of the end of my
life," he cried; 81 dare say you have
thought enough of it-have considered
that it would be as well to sink your
cursed pride and your curseder temper,
and come here in prodigal-son fashion.
But it won't do; I'm not a man to be
hoodwinked in that way"
II am not sorry to have seen you, faith
err" said Reuben, rising: 81 came out of
my way-a long way out of ito reach
Worcester. l am glad to find you we'll.
Good day."
He extended his hand again, but this
time his father refused to take it.
'You have come out of your way to
give me a fresh wound, that's ALL" said
the father, sullenly, land you have done
it effectually. l don't want you to trou-
BILE me again. You will not come here
again at my invitation. l can't forgive
you-why should l? / never forgave
anybody. l never forgave your mother.
Your two aunts offended me years ago,
you know. Have | ever forgiven them?
One died last summer, and l wouldn't
go to see her-wouldn't go near her--and
the other one is in st. Oswald's aims
houses, blind as bat. and living on
eight shillings week. Eight shillings a
week, and those pictures there cost me
eighty thousand pounds"
"a good investment" said Reuben Gull
wick, coolly, and critically looking round
the walls; "they will increase in value
year by year, sir"
AS he looked round he became aware,
for the first time, that the lady in the bay
ed from the room silently. through a Sec
ond door at the extremity of the picture
gallery.
"And I never gave her a penny in my
lfe." added Mr.. Culwick. senior.
poor old Sarah-blind is she? and in
the almshouse. tool l am sorry. l liked
old Sarah" said Reuben; ''she was one
of the few friends l had when l was
boy. and when you were not rich. But l
am OBTAINING you. and l am pledged TO
reach London tonight. Good by again"
When he had reached the door, Simon
Culwick called out his name, and Reu-
ben paused and turned.
II am not deceitful." said the father,
"and / may as well tell you that have
made my will, and that you will never
be penny the better for it. 1t is all left
ALL" he added, away from an unduti-
full son."
There was a moments pause, and then
Reuben Culwick quilted his fathers pres
ence and closed the door after him. He
went from the room into the corridor. and
thence along its entire length to the dim
ing room, where he threw himself into a
chair with so thoughtful a mien that he
was not for the moment aware that the
young lady in gray silk whom he had seen
in the bay window was stepping back
from the big feecy mat at the door. to
allow of his egress. When he saw her,
she put her finger to her lips, and he
repressed an exclamation of surprise.
go back" she said, with an excite
ment that astonished him; don't give
up-don't leave him like that-it's your
last chance"
you have. been listening" said Reu-
ben, coldly.
ITO every word" was the honest con-
fessiOn; land you have not said a word
to please him, and much to offend. Why
did you come. if in no better spirit than
this? Go back to him. Tell him how
sorry you are for everything-do some
thing before you go that will leave be-
hind better impression" she urged
again.
mo. / can't go back"
"You are as hard as he is" she cried
"as if it mattered what you said to him
AS if it were not worth a struggle to
regain your position here"
Grasping her wrists. while her hands
covered her face TO hide it from his fierce
gaze. Reuben exclaimed in wondering
tone, "Who are your
Only the housekeeper. sir" she said, |
quantity; keeping house for Simon Gull !
wclI-and in your place. You should
hate me as a usurper already" she add |
ed. mockingly. IF you had any spirit in
you"
THE er-yes-but-' he
said wonderingly. and without regarding
her strange taunts. Il was not aware
'
.Why should you be aware of anything
about me, you who are as quarrelsome
and strange as your father, and have
kept away so long! There. go home and
think of the best way to bring that old
Z.