The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-02-20

tndL UnlS WOul0 De the result!
YES" said John, you certainly said
that. / am very sorry am awfully
sorry-what a funny man he must be"
Extremely funny" said Reuben Gull
wick. dryly: you would die of laughing
at his humor.'
'Do you regret that you have offered
to sink a bitter quarrel" inquired Lucy
Jennings. land to make peaceT
"No."
''You are glad that you have been to
Worcester. are you not. despite this mis-
cradle result!''
yes"
''Then the fault lies with him. as it
did. before you went. with you. And.
Mr.. Reuben she added. very earnestly,
'you have one sin the less. think.
Amen to that"
Lucy Jennings regarded him keenly,
az if suspicion that he was ridiculing
her earnestness had suggested itself. hut
Reuben Culwick was grave enough. 1t
was not always easy to guess when this
strong. self-reliant man was in jest or
earnest.
What, Tots cried Reuben. suddenly.
holding out his arms. into which there
haxen-hared child of three years old.
oh me so glad you have come back.
Reuben said the child. half laughing.
to begin with. and then wholly crying
as a wind-up.
Shell catch her death of cold" cried
AIR. Jennings. Tots. how could you come
down like this? why amt YOU asleep
You said--you said. Sobhpd the child,
that he was coming home tonight
well. here | am. young one; don't cry
about it, murmured the big man, as his
arms folded the child to his breast. and
his handsome brown beard hid her face
from view. and tickled her terribly. for
she struggled into Il sitting position away
from il. aud rubbed her face and eyes
energetically.
"Elizabeth." said Lucy. severely, this
is very wrong Didn't you promise to 20
to Sleep"
II toudn't." answered Elizabeth.
Gene with me- began her aunt
again. when Tots let forth so tremen-
dous yell that even Lucy. woman not
easily Nut down. succumbed at once.
Let her be- said Reuben Culwick
grufiiy: then there was second pause.
after which he whispered in the child's
ear few words that arrested her at
tention. and Tots sat up again.
Where is it?' asked Tots.
"In my portmanteau at the railway
station-coming home tomorrow. if Tots
will go to bed now"
And as big as DAFT" said Tots. open
ing her arms to their fullest extent.
Bigger
ME go to bed" said Tots with lilac
rity-"but." she added. 90 must carry
me MP tairs."
"Of course | will. Goodnight. Uncle
Jennings: goodnight. aunt-we're off,
both of us" cried Reuben Culwick, and
he was ont of the room and stridng up
stairs with the child before there was
time for Tots to change her mind in any
way
Brother and sister did not attempt to
follow him: the brother sat and listened
until the tramplng feet III the room above
announced that Reuben had deposited
his charge in her crib. and retired to his
own apartments; the thin woman with
the worn face turned toward the fire,
fast dying out. and passed hand across
her eyes. MS if 10y stealth.
"How fond he is of, chidren"' said
John Jennings; Il think big men always
are. Lucy. There was Topping
Don't bother me about Topping
said Lucy.
"Ahem.-no." he said, with his feeble
little cough prefacing his remarks again;
mot if you wish it. certainly. Still. it's
odd"
What is odd?'
THAT Reuben's coming back should
have put you out in this way
Il prayed he might never come again"
"Why. we couldn't afford"
1.-The man deserved better fortune than
he can find here" she cried. land 80
didn't want him back. Besides, We DOM
agree.
I'm sorry Reuben has seen You in this
tantrum. because ! have often fanced
that by and by you and he would get to
like each other. He is man who wants
something TO love--lnok at him AMI that
child. for instance--and you're lot a
great deal too old. and he's not proud.
and you're-
He stopped as Lucy Jennings swung
herself round. a perfect virago in her last
and worst attack of passion. He had
never seen Lucy show off in this way be-
fore.
"John. you're fool" she screamed !:
you are the worst Of fools TO think like
that. to talk like il. ] marry him. he
think of me. | tell you | hate you for
saying this tonight"
John jennings gasped for breath.
MY dear. I'm sorry if have nurt
your feelings If you don't mind. I'll 20
to bed"
She did not answer and John ZEN
nings. after passing his hand over his
forehead in a bewildered manner, went
to bed accordingly
When she was sure that he was gone,
the woman sank of heap on the sha bly,
Ion..h .,..r and h,,.;oI L.. e., "a. -.