The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-04-02


ed cotton dress the worse for wear and
tear He would have run fairly out of
sight of her, if female voice had not
called out John" and stopped him. Then
he looked back. open -mouthed and wait
ed for Sarah to approach.
"Gou-you were running after ne
your sister sent you. Are you offended
with me too. John, that you will not
shake hands ~
Il beg your pardon. | hardly liked
toll didn't know you, miss And
then. weak. fabby John Jennings burst cut
crying. and put his right coat sleeve e.
fore his eyes.
and lowered it.
Isn't this rather childish, JohnY' said
Sarah. in kind reproof
Il know il is. but | can't help it," an
swered John. brushing his tears away
with mutilated hand; Pm not what |
psIoop srq noG Su!aas puR-sq o. pssn
me. There have been so many changes
And you are a lady!-thats the Won
derfulest part of it,
Now. John jennings" she said coax
ingly, before another word is spoken,
tell me where my cousin Reuben lives,
please. | ask it as favor from an old
friend"
"He lives in Drury Lane--No. 100
ut the ironmongers."
An empty cab passed at this moment,
and Sarah Eastbell raised her parasol.
The vehicle stopped, and Sarah and John
Jennings. the latter with evident reluc-
lance, got into it.
Now, what has happened? 2" said
Sarah, after the cabman had been told
his destination and had driven Oh; lit is
long story. but pray get il over before
we reach Reuben's house"
It's short story" said John. land
soon told. After you left Hope street
luck left it. too. The Saxe-Gotha Gar
dens burst up. and let me in for a lot IF
money: we were all in trouble and in a
mnddle. and the brokers were in. when
Reuben thought Of the picture which his
father wanted to buy
"Ah! / remember" cried Sarah.
lie got an artist friend to see it. and
he said that it was worth two hundred
pounds as il was. and might be worth
more if restored--and he would bring a
purchaser in three days time. We were
all in high spirits, though Lucy and |
had a terrible row as to what we should
do with the money-but on the very day
the purchaser was coming we blew up. |
! was mixing material when. bang! we
were all in the street or the back yard,
and everything left in the house was
burned or blown to cinders. The picture
-Reuben's books and papers, Furniture
everything clean gone to smash. and not
farthing of insurance anywhere"
.sApd Rnuhon ~ aSEad Sarah soIi.it-
ously.
HE was Out-when he came back the
| place was ruin. All his papers were
gone, the money that he had, the novel
| that he was writing--but he came to see
| me in the hospital that night. just as if
nothing had happened. The worst came
| after the blowup. had borrowed money
on the strength of selling the picture.
and Reuben had become my security; and
when | couldn't pay. he was dropped ON,
and he has been working off my loau as
well as his own ever since-killing him
self with work, poor boy" and Jennings
| began to weep again.
There there, the worst is over. now
that | have come to help you" she said.
I'VE will change all this"
HE changed by degrees--he became
more discontinued and aggravating like,
| after his awful bad luck. Then Lucy
went raving mad-had her call she says
| and took to preaching, and bullied Reu-
| ben and me about our souls till one day
Reuben gave her piece Of his mind
/ and we all went different ways after that.
| She spoke to me this morning-t was
| the first time for six months. She passes
| me like dirt-she-"
There, don't begin to cry again.
| Sarah adjured; Il am sorry, but it might
have been worse. Pm very glad that I
came to London, to lead the way to bet
| ter times!'
John remained silent till the cab stop
ped in the dingy thoroughfare of Drury
| Lane, before small ironmonger's shop,
as shabby and rusty in its exterior AS the
Jew bOlstered theaters for which the par
ish is famous
"Here!' said Sarah in low whisper.
He is close to his work-he saves
| omnibus hire and shoe leather-but he
loses the country air and cheerful society
| of Hope street." explained John jennings
with sigh.
The cabman was dismissed and John
Jennings paused on the curbstone and
pointed to an open door on the left-hand
side of the shop.
You go in there. and up to the very
| top of all the stairs, and it's the back
room, Miss Eastbell.'
Stop one moment" cried Sarah, as
John was about TO beat precipitate
retreat. you will not mind this You
are not proud. and | am indebted to you
you are poor, and l am friend with
too much money. Pray do she said
very hurriedly. then bank note was
thrust into his hand and she disappeared
in the murky passage of the house, With
err he had not the courage to follow Der.