Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-03-18

n grape house. on the other a conserva-
tory, filed with the most brilliant col
ored plants. The rays of the morning
sun were s!onting brightly across the
scene, and imparting to it the most
joyously cheerful air.
How different to the house | have
/ just left! | thought
Pretty place, isn't itf' said the old
/ gentleman.
"Sweetly pretty" | murmured.
He led the way into Il little low
rooted room, darkened by the overhHng-
ing blossoms that hung thickly over the
! latticed window. 1t was comfortably,
! indeed handsomely, furnished. The table
! was laid for breakfast. A second cup
! and saucer and plate were soon produced
! by a kind-looking, middle-aged woman,
and | was soon sitting before a substan-
tial meal of eggs and bacon, and cold
beef, to be washed down by plenty of
! strong coffee. Never had food been so
| grateful to me before, and | certainly
| lid ample justice to it. | could per-
| Give that my host every now and then
last curious glance at me, as though l
| presented something of a puzzle to him.
Now, If | might be permitted to haz-
ard guess, | should fancy you were
something in the parson line" he said,
leaning back in his chair
/ disclaimed the honor.
well, it was the long hair and the
Queer-loOking black clothes that put that
idea into my head; and you look so seri-
Gus for a lad of your years. l have it!
| You're a school usher"
| confessed that his last guess was
correct.
"Ah, poor fellow! No wonder you
look so miserable"' he said. compassion
ately. 1T must be a hard life, and a
badly paid one; and l suppose you've
left your place? Where are you going
now?'
Il am going to the city"
you've friends there, | SUPPOSED"
81 have one, sir, who l think will help
me-"
He must have thought me very close
and churlish, to be so sparing OF my an
swers after his kindness: but the fact is,
that ] was undecided at the moment
whether | should make a clean breast of
all my troubles to him; he seemed so
kindly hearted that felt sure he would
ply ne. IDul Tie udJuIdl Itl'tlltc Ol
my disposition, rather than any feeling
Of mistrust, prevented me.
But you're not going to walk?' he
questioned.
Eyes, sir. l have no other means Of
getting there. | have suit of clothes
in this bundle. that | intend to sell as
soon az | come to a town. | faltered.
The old gentleman paused and looked
very hard at me--seemed, for moment,
to revolNe an idea-and then said
Leave the clothes with me. | don't
want to look at them. | will lend you
FIVE dollars That will take you to your
friend, and leave some money to boot
i'll your pocket. Any time you bring me
or send me the money you shall have
your clothes back again. A mile and
half from here is the railway station.
In half an hour a train will stop there.
You will be able to catch that comfort
ably. l will walk a little distance with
you, and put you in the right path. Stop
a minute and I'll bring you the money"
Without waiting TO listen to my fer
vent thanks. he left the room. Never
in my life had felt so light-hearted and
hopeful.
| rose from the chair to take the
clothes out of the handkerchief and
smooth them, as they must have been
somewhat crumpled by doing service as
a pillow; also to take out the change of
linen which | could not do without. In
doing so, my eyes fell upon a portrait,
hung in a dark corner of the room. 1t
was that of a woman, with bright au-
burn hair, transparency fair complexion,
blue eyes, n very beautiful, pensive face,
with something in 1t that came back
upon me like a memory. 1t seemed to
me that l had seen that face somewhere.
While l stood trying to remember, the
old gentleman re-entered the room.
"Ah, you're looking at my poor girls
portrait" he said, in sad voice.
Your daughters, sir?'
"Yes-my only one"
Us she still livingY I asked, some
what hesitatingly.
she has been dead these eighteen
years." he answered, sorrowfully.
II must be mistaken; l was only an
infant in arms at that time" | thought.
He gave me the money, but would
not listen to my thanks.
Tut tut" he said: that's nothing.
ia give You more, if | really knew you
were all right; but | have been so often
taken in that I'm doubtful of everybody
now But | like your looks; but I've
liked others that have been the property
of great yagabonds."
(To he contnuedO