The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-01-19

III MQaI name 10 you suppose Nv
II gone under, Bob, since I've got m
II freedom?' l asked.
u Not Slodden, Jack" answered tn
cripple anxiously; never Slodden
!, should hope. Though you're a ricl
. man now and I'm a poor one, still
n recollect the name Of Siodden was al
! honest one Till you went and tar
= nished IT."
r mo. Bob. I shouldn't dream of suei
a thing. call myself Thompson"
That's right, Jack, and brother
v shall always remain to you in feeiins
even II we 90 by different names. And
: say, Jack, what did you tell Kitty
! She believes you was a 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, didn't"
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. 4"
And | thought 1t was a runaway
knock and ring. But where on earth
is Kitty? Didn't you see her aboard
the Vessei?"
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
ION my honor, don't know"
Hush" ne said, there's her foot
step coming up to the door. would
know IT among 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 &C
cident.
"There." said I, "my 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 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, eheerily, |.
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
II
How do you known"
Because I've seen him"
''Where?"
Here" he said, as he struck match
and relighted the candle Brother s
lack at your service. Look at him, 9
Kitty, and tell me what you think of |
aim" IL
"Why, Bob" answered Mrs. Slodden, 9
you've always told me your brother !
Jack was such rough fellow. / think
ne looks quite the gentleman. We'll
'ome to Old England, Mr.. Jack. Ours :
S but a poor place, but such as 1t is I
you're welcome to it,"
felt like miserable humbug as my I
sister-in-law put her hard, c
honest hand in mine, but what could .
do? After little general converse a
ion, said: Can speak to you a
lone for few moments. Mrs. Slod- 0
len?"
Certainly" replied the unsuspect-
ng woman, treating me with immense
aspect. Step down stairs in the A
,itchen, which is the only comfortable
DOM in the house. And SO my poor
made shift to get up and let
on In"
"Here | am at any rate" said I with :,
smile. q
"And now what may you be wanting, = :.
Ir. Jack?"
Il Just want you to unlock the area y y
ack-door. My hat blew off as l was - =,
oming around the corner of the street -
nd has fallen down there" - -
"Oh, is that ali. /" said Mrs. Slodden =
ceiling for her key. She was just in -
he act of inserting the key into the =,
eyhole, when the sound of wheels a.. ~
Tas heard outside, followed by a -
rapping at the street door. ~ ~
BLESS me, who can that be?" ex- -
aimed Mrs. Siodden as she rushed =,
pstairs, | following her with trem- -
ling steps, for l knew whose knock -, ~
lat arrival betokened. AZ
"That's right" shcsted a loud, jovial a.. as
oice from the cab as the front door III
1ened. Give a haristoeratic rap ~
ng, cabby, I'm a gentleman now, ev- ~
y inch of me"
Name of Slodden." said the cab W.
an, addressing my late sister-in-law. pu
waited TO hear no more, but bare oI
eaded as | was darted down the steps ar
to the street. A nut-brown face, III
with a great shaggy yellow Wa
lard, was thrust from the cab win 40
Nv and jolly voice roared forth, m'
Hello, Brother Bob" Sn
I made no answer. but ran as fast as sn
y legs could carry me. When / had an
aced good half mile between myself up
ID Mrs. Slodden. I fell into a walk ne
ID tied q handkerchief over my head, ma
lied q cab and was driven to my no
oms. De-
1t was many months before could !
ss that house without feeling the gre
Id shiyers run down my spine, al sal
ough 1t looked more deserted than Coz
er. I was only too happy to forego rec
search for my new silk hat and ne
r all know 1t may yet be reposing ne
the area. ne