Amador ledger., 1906-01-26

termined to carry it through.
What name do you suppose I've
gone under. Bob. since I've got my
freedom?" l asked.
mot Slodden, jack" answered the
cripple anxiously; never Slodden 1
should hope. Though you're a rich
man now and I'm a poor one, still
recollect the name of Slodden was an
honest one till you went and tar
nished it."
"No, Bob, shouldn't dream of such
thing. I call myself Thompson"
That's right, Jack, and brother I
shall always remain to you in feeling
even if We go by different names. And
say, Jack, what did you tell Kitty {?
She believes you was a bounty ticket.
What did you say to her?"
Bob, I'll tell you a little secret.
haven't seen Kitty"
"Why, you came home with her,"
mo, 1 didn't"
''Then how did you find your way
in?"
"The door was ajar."
"Why, Kitty never leaves the front
door open"
'She did this once. l knocked and
rang before l found it out, however"
And l thought it was a runaway
knock and ring. But where on earth
is Kitty? Didn't you see her aboard
the vessel?"
"No."
Jack" he exclaimed suddenly. seiz-
ing my hand, "are you sure you are
playing no trick on me? Remember
I'm poor helpless creature. Where is
Kitty?"
"On my honor, 1 don't know"
"Hush," he said, there's her foot
step coming up to the door. l would
know it among a hundred, and she's
alone"
These last three words made me de-
eide what to do. AS a heavy mascu-
line-sounding foot came to the front
door, overset the candle as if by ac-
cident.
There" said 1, "my awkwardness
has left US in the dark"
$50 much the better, jack" replied
the cripple. "She's missed you down
at the ship. Well give her an agree
able surprise"
Somebody opened the street door
with latch key and advanced along
the passage, but 1 stood still and said
nothing. Presently a rather gruff
female voice exclaimed, Bob, Bob, are
you asleep?"
"Asleep? Not a bit of it, my dear
Kitty" replied the cripple, cheerily,
"but wide awake and hungry as a
hunter
'Strike light then. A pretty dance
you've given me, Bob" she exclaimed.
There was no such name as Slodden
aboard the ship"
"He came over under the name of
Thompson"
How do you know?"
Because I've seen him."
"Where?"
"Here," he said, as he struck a match
and relighted the candle. Brother
Jack at your service. Look at him,
Kitty, and tell me what you think of
him."
"Why, Bob" answered Mrs Slodden,
you've always told me your brother
Jack was such rough fellow. think
he looks quite the gentleman. We'll
come to Old England, Mr.. Jack. Ours
is but poor place, but such as it is
you're welcome to it."
I felt like miserable humbug as my
supposed sister-in-law put her hard,
honest hand in mine, but what could
do? After little general conversa-
ton, l said: "Can 1 speak to you
alone for a few moments, Mrs. Slod-
den?"
Certainly" replied the unsuspect-
ing woman, treating me with immense |
respect. "Step down stairs in the
kitchen, which is the only comfortable |
room in the house. And so my poor |
husband made shift to get up and. let |
you in."
"Here I am at any rate" said with
a smile.
"And now what may you be wanting,
Mr.. Jack?"
81 just want you to unlock the area
back-door. My hat blew Off as was
coming around the corner oil tile street
and has fallen down there
"Oh, is that ALL" said Mrs. Slodden,
feeling for her key. She was just in
the act of inserting the key into the
keyhole, when the sound of wheels
was heard outside, followed by a |
laundering rapping at the street door.
''Bless me, who can that be?" ex-
claimed Mrs Slodden as she rushed
upstairs, 1 following her with trem-
bling steps, for knew whose knock
that arrival betokened.
"That's right" shouted loud, jovial
voice from the cab as the front door
opened. "Give a haristocratic rap
ping, cabby, I'm gentleman now, ev-
cry inch of me-"
Name of Slodden," said the cab
man, addressing my late sister-in-law.
1 waited to hear no more, but bare
headed as l was darted down the steps
into the street. A nut-brown face,
ornamented with great shaggy yellow
beard, was thrust from the cab win
dow and a jolly voice roared forth,
Hello, Brother Bob"
l made no answer, but ran as fast as
my legs could carry me. When / had