Charlevoix county herald., 1906-01-20


sixpenny hat l was meanly pretending
to be some one else and that somebody
a returned convict. But l could no
bear to tell this poor, helpless fellow
of the trick had played him. He hat
set his heart on seeing his prodiga
brother and would be SO -grieved
should l undeceive him, that l de-
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
should hope. Though you're rich
man now and I'm poor one, still
recollect the name of Slodden was an
honest one till you went and tar
nished it."
mo, Bob, shouldn't dream of such
thing. I call myself Thompson"
That's right, Jack, and brother
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 bounty ticket.
What did you say to herr"
Bob, I'll tell you a little secret. !
haven't seen Kitty"
"Why, you came home with her."
mo, l 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. I knocked and
rang before / 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?"
mo"
"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, I 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 heavy mascu-
line-sounding foot came to the front
door, overset the candle as if by &C
cident
There" said I, "mX. awkwardness
has left us in the dark"
so 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 l stood still and said
nothing. Presently a rather gruff
female voice exclaimed, Bob, Bob, are
you asleep?"
Asleep? Not 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
"Hcw do you know"
Because I've seen him."
"Where?"
"Here," he said as he struck 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
come to Old England, Mr.. Jack. Ours
is but poor place, but such as it is
you're welcome to it."
felt like miserable humbug as my
sister-in-law put her hard,
honest hand in mine, but what could
do? After little general converse
ton, said: Can l speak to you
alone for few moments, Mrs. Slod-
den?"
Certainly" replied the unsuspect-
ing woman, treating me with immense
step down stairs in the
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.. Jacl1?"
81 just want you to unlock the area
baclk-door. My hat blew off as l was
coming around the corner of the street
and has fallen down there"
ooh, is that ALL" said Mrs. Slodden,
feeling for her key. She was just in
the act of inserting the key into the
when the sound of wheels
was heard outside, followed by
rapping at the street door.
"Bless me, who can that be-" ex-
claimed Mrs. Slodden as she rushed
upstairs, l following her with trem-
bling steps, for l 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 a gentleman now, ev-
cry inch of me-"
Name of Slodden." said the cab
man, addressing my late sister-in-law.
l waited to hear no more, but bare
headed as l was darted down the steps
into the street. A nut-brown face, |
with a 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 I had |
placed a good half mile between myself |
and Mrs. Slodden. l fell into walk |
and tied handkerchief over my head, |
called a cab and was driven to my |