The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-08-31

"What* cried Zeno, laying a hand
upon Frost's collar. you call me by
| that name! You are frightened are you?
and you forget do you, my poor Frost ?
Never be frightened again, Will you?
Please! Never forget again, will you?
| Please -
81 hate the stuff" Frost declared 81
can't bear to be about it."
do not mind the stuff, dear Frost. :"
said Mr.. Zeno, Tightening his hold on
Frost's collar. Mind me. if you please.
You will be very sorry if you call me
| by that name again"
II won't forget again." he said, stam-
meringly. But hate the stuff. wish
| you wouldn't bring it here"
"Pooh!" returned Zeno, with brutal
disregard of his friends sensitiveness
What harm is there in this?" He re-
leased Frost, and, crossing over to the
other side of the room, took from the sofa
an unsuspicious-looking parcel wrapped
in brown paper. Setting, this upon the
table, he proceeded to unite the knotted
string which surrounded it, grinning and
grimacing at his companion as he worked
at the knots with his fingers. Frost glued
himself to the wall and stared at the
parcel with an involuntary batting OF the
eyes. When at last the knots were con-
quered, the paper wrappages removed,
and the contents exposed, he gave sigh
of relief, and wiped his brow with the
back of his hand.
WELL" he said, with a CHASTITY at
tempt at jocular air and tone. there
amt any harm in that, so far as can
see" Zeno held up before him packet
of half a dozen books, held together by
double strap, and differing slightly in
size. Fastened to the two straps was
loop of sewn leather by which the par
eel could be conveniently carried. Il
don't know" said Frost, what you want
to scare me for. I've told you over and
over again 1 can't bear the mere sight
of it."
| "Come here" said Zeno, laying the
packet on the table and unfastening the
buckles; II have something to show
YOU" Frost approached with slow
swagger of unconcern. Zeno, having laid
down the straps on either side, opened
the topmost volume. "a dictionary" he
said, "of French and English" He dut-
tered over the first two or three score
leaves.
| "Well," said Frost, where's your in
vention?"
| Here" replied Zeno, and, turning over
another score of leaves, revealed the top
of tin box, displaying at the same time
the fact that the interior part OF the
leaves was cut clean away, and that the
| apparent bundle of books was but case.
He lifted the dictionary, and some two
inches of the tin box stood clear. Then
he lifted the second book, which was
smaller than the first, and held it up,
mere oblong frame. Then he drew out
the tin case itself, and balanced it in his
hand before Frost, who retired so rapidly
that he fell over a chair backward. Get
| up said Zeno, ''it is empty" Frost
arose, rubbing the back of his head, which
had come smartly in contact with the
wall.
Il don't know" he said, what you
| want to scare me for"
| "Why," returned Zeno, showing the
gaps in his teeth again, cit is right that
you should know that you are coward"
There are some men," said Frost, ris-
| ing slowly, "that can't stand snakes.
amt sweet on snakes myself, but Ia
sooner 20 to bed with hogshead OF EN-
than be in the same room with dynamite.
And outside that, 1 don't know that I'm
such a champion coward as you take me
for. It's a natural repugnance; that's
what it is-a natural repugnance. I've
read of men that have that same precise
kind of feelin' in respect to cats, and
roses, and all manner of things that you
| and nae don't mind at all"
| "Well," said Zeno, smiling still, this
| is your invention, my brave Frost.
make you present of the idea. You OBJ
serve" Che restored the tin box to its
place again, and strapped the innocent
looking volumes together as he spoke)
-"you observe that there is not the least
suspicion about this. If any of your
| friends who does not share your natural
repugnance, should want to cross the
| Channel with anything that, should not be
observed, this may be useful to him."
Eyes," replied Frost, taking the parcel
in his hand and weighing it, lit looks
| innocent enough. It's an ingenious idea,
and 1 should think it would act. But
| it won't hold much"
Ito be continued.)
|
L