The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-01-28

them stlf-necked men, or hard and unre-
generate hearts. Two years ago l wrote
to say that, as you had passed hey ond
the school boy age. l wished for further
instructions. About a week after, / got
short note, saying that you were still
to remain with me; but as they desired
that you should not contract idle habits.
| was to give you some sort of useful
employment. Why don't you say some
thing. Silas!" he cried, striking the ia
BILE sharply with his fist.
"What-what do you want ME to say,
sirY | stammered
'The truth-what you know"
81 don't know anything-indeed. | do
not"
There was a savage look about him. as
though he would have liked to have
squeezed something more out Of my
| throat Then he took out Of a desk be-
it to me- saying. "This was sewn up
In your frock when you were brought
here. I don't think she who brought
you knew anything about it."
1t contained the portrait Of very
beautiful young woman-a foreigner,
should have imagined; dark hair, olive
tinged complexion. also lock Of brown
hair; and upon the back was engraved
the initials "F. B." and e. NJ joined
together by true lovers knot
'The woman who brought you here"
he went on. twas tall; and big-boned;
thin, white lips; nose like parrots
beak: light gray eyes, as cold as stone.
She wore a front of dark brown hair,
dressed in small fat curls, and bound
round the forehead by band Of narrow
black velvet; she was dressed in black
silk, and wore a muslin handkerchief
crossed upon her BOSOM"
While he spoke, a veil seemed lifted
from my memory; the woman seemed to
stand before me. I had trembled be-
fore those cold, stony eyes. That por-
trait, too-my heart told me it was my
mothers, and a shadowy remembrance
came upon me that l had been at some
time fondled by such face.
The Rev. Obadiah Porter was evident
lations. He snatched the locket out of
desk again.
swell. well, II you can't remember,
you can't" he said, irritably. But
when you are alone, or in bed. try and
think. Who knows? -you might be the
child Of some great or rich people," he
added, cunningly. "Think what an ad-
vantage it would be IL you could find
this out! But we won't talk any more
of this at present. l have something
else to speak to you about. Silas, it has
much troubled me, for some time, to see
a youth Of your appearance and proba-
bic prospects doing mental work. I've
, long been thinking whether l couldn't
more proftably employ you; and, after a
talk with my daughter, I've come to the
conclusion that you shall. henceforth.
assist her in the care Of the boys"
My duties as tutor were to commence
on the next day. / really felt very CRATE
to him for what appeared, to my unso-
phisticated mind, a great kindness; and
so told Martha when I went back to
the kitchen.
swell, don't know about being CRATE
full, Silas," she cried. depend upon it,
masters serving his own turn. Miss
Judith's getting very tired Of the work:
and IL she was to go away. what would
he do? 1t wouldn't suit him to have a
stranger in the house. Now don't you
see that he couldn't do without you
that you're the very thing he wants.
Martha's worldly view of the matter
somewhat dashed my exalted feelings of
gratitude; vet, for all that, l still felt
very thankful for the change
CHAPTER Nv.
In less than a week 1 found myself
sole tutor to the Rev. Obadiah Porter's
pupils. Martha was right; Miss Judith
had grown tired of the work, and, seiz-
ing the opportunity of my initiation, re-
liDQuished it altogether. now dined in
the parlor, but took the rest of my meals
in the kitchen, where l also spent NV
evenings. By and by Martha called nv
attention to great alteration that had
taken place in her mistress. There was
worn, anxious look in her face; and
she seldom quilted her own room. Then
we began to notice that Mr. Rodwell's
| visits grew more infrequent, and at last
ceased altogether.
One day Mr.. Porter informed me that
he was going to London for a few days.
| Such an event had never happened in
| my memory; it was to me the climax of
| all the changes.
ITO you, Silas," he said, 81 commit
the care Of the precious lambs OF nv
| fold, and you must also give an eve to
household affairs, as my daughters
| health is not strong at present. It is
great trust, but you will prove WORTHY
Of it. You are almost like a son to me.
Silas."
He paused upon the last words like
one struck with sudden idea, and while
he stood gazing at me. a strange look
stole across his face. For the first time
nj his life he took my hand: his clasp was
cold and clammy; he meant to be kind
and caressing, but had never felt SO re-
PEELED against him. shuddered, with
| boding presentiment Of evil.
While he was away Miss Judith took
| all her meals in her own room. Thus
| the house was almost entirely under the
care Of myself and Martha.
On the fifth day after his departure,
at in the evening. Mr.. Porter returned.
| was in the front garden. Now this
ground was kept sacred to him and his
daughter. but having a great love OF
flowers. and having acquired some
knowledge of gardening, l had Of late