Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-02-17
CHAPTER XI.

Until 10 o'clock next morning I slept
calm, dreamless sleep. and arose more
fresh and invigorated than l had felt
for months. 1t had been arranged that
I should breakfast at Martha's. So ac-
cordingly, as soon as l was washed and
dressed, I adjourned to No. 8. Two
strange men were in the room when
went in.
The elder Of the two was tall. thin
man. with a sallow complexion, sharp,
beard and mustache, and dark, griz.led
in the center. He was dressed in seedy
played q somewhat dilapidated fancy
shirt front, very much soiled and crum-
pied. A fraysd black satin necktie sur
rounded a very frayed and limp shirt
collar: his boots were old and patched.
but they were the remains Of what had
encs been radiant patent leather. His
hands were white, and carefully tended,
and ernamented with two large brass
rings. He greeted me with great polite
ness a. entered.
His companion was q young man Of
about twenty: full-faced. rather sanguine
complexion, with an expression Of oddly
mixed good-naturs and self-satisfaction.
His dress was less pretentious than that
Of the elder, although there was the
same style Of shabby gentility and the
secondhand clothes shop.
Martha introduced the elder as PRO
fessor Montgomery" and the younger as
Mr.. Fitzwalton. The elder acknowledg-
ed the introduction with an air Of great
politeness; the younger with a familiar
nod, and q twinkle Of amusement in his
eye at my odd appearance, which slowly
changed to one Of doubling recognition;
an expression which was reflected in my
own face; for, in Mr.. Adolphus Fitzwal-
ton, l believed that I recognized my
whilom bed-fellow, Josiah Cook. We
both came to the same conclusion at the
same moment
"Can it be possible"
sit can't be-"
"That you are Josiah CookT'
"What! Silas Garston-
Martha, who was preparing my break
fast, looked very much astonished at this
| recognition.
Zone Of the Rev. Mr. Porter's old
| boarders," / said, in explanation.
"Why, you don't mean to say that you
know that old hypocriteY cried Josiah
| turning round to her.
| 'tShe was servant there for two year,
only left about a month ago." l said
answering for her.
"Wen, il this isn't the queerest star
! I ever knew" cried Josiah. "Whoevel
should have thought OF seeing you here
What are you doing? How's old Snuf
Aas ve<tinv on7 Has Miss Gooseherr,
eyes got a husband yetF'
These questions were very cmbarrass
ing, and / should have been greatly pu
to for an answer. but Martha came T.
my assistance.
"Wen, look here, Mr.. Fitzwalton,'
she said with a sign to me; "Maste
Silas has got some very particular busi
ness on hand just now that obliges hin
to be cautious, 30 l know you'll excus
him answering your questions for a da,
or two"
'Oh. I don't want to pry into any
body's secrets" retorted Josiah, wit
something Of pique in his tone.
There was an awkward silence 70
|, some minutes, during which discusse
, my breakfast, with the embarrarsin
sensation that the Professor" rs l a,
, terwards heard he liked to be calle<
i was sharply scrutinizing me.
II 1t was impossible for Josiah to kee
/ silent for any length Of time, or to r,
frain from talking about himself. 8,
, in spite Of my reticence, he soon put m
{ in possession of the whole of his hi,
: tory, from the time he Quilted Mr.. Po
tsps establishment up to the time