The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-08-24
By %. c. Murray

| This said Frost, who knew not
what to make of Zeno's airs, and was
newly frightened by them-"this is Mr..
| Dobroski." He was vainly casting about
in his mind for Zeno's alias, when Zeno
himself relieved him.
Il knew it," cried the spy, in English,
and then with a sudden forward rush he
threw himself at Dobroski's feet, and
Selling one of his ankles in both hands,
kissed his boot again and again, with
wild, gurgling CALCULATIONS which meant
nothing to Frost's ears, but stood in
Polish for "Angel! Preserver! Patriot !!
Father!' and variety of expressions of
worship and affection. Dobroski tried to
withdraw his foot from this unexpected
| worshiper's grasp, but Zeno held on tight
| y, and the old man submitted after
while, but looked round on Frost with
| questioning air which set that traitorous
parsonage at his wits end.
Come" said Frost, STOPPING to seize
Zeno, as the best way of hiding his en-
barrassment. Don't you think you've
done about enough of that? It's no lux
ury for Mr.. Dobroski to have you licking
his boots like a dog"
Zeno went on kissing and gurgling for
second or two, and then allowed Frost
to drag him to his feet. The old man
| had walked by muddy ways, and his wor-
shippers countenance bore signs of con-
| tact with the boot. To Frost's utter
amazement, tears were coursing down the
spy's fat, white cheeks.
Il declare!' said the Irish-American,
| in bewilderment, as he shook Zeno by
| the shoulders, whats the matter with
the man?"
what is the matter?" demanded Zeno,
turning upon him with smeared and tear
| full face and tragic gesture. Behold the
preserver of my life, my fathers preserv-
er, my mothers, the patriot, the chief,
| the idol, the god of my unhappy coun-
| try!'
With this he fell into a chair near the
table, and dropping both arms across the
table and his head upon his arms gave
himself up to convulsive sobbing.
Il do not recall your friend" said Dob
roski, looking toward Frost.
NO" cried Zeno, raising his head to
his fellow scoundrel's intense relief. Il
am of Warsaw. My name is Wroblews-
koff. Marco 1t is thirty years ago.
l was but a lad"
He spoke in Polish, and Dobroski's
look of inquiry gave way to one Of pleas
ure and welcome.
II remember" he said-"I remember"
He stretched out a hand to Zeno and the
rascal took it and kissed it.
"My mother blessed you with her dy-
ing BREATH" he said "My father died
in exile, blessing you. My sisters chill
dren cherish your memory and pray for
you nightly"
The bewildered Frost asked himself
repeatedly whether the thing were true or
false. Dobroski released himself from
the spy's grasp and walked to the window,
and looked out on the rainy night. Then
Zeno, turning upon Frost, began in Eng
lish a story of the utmost circumstance,
which he related with so natural an emo
ton and so complete an air of veracity
| that it was hard to disbelieve him, though
the listener was certain he was lying.
Once or twice, at the mention of a name,
Dobroski turned and asked after the his
| tory of it's owner.
| Frost was eager and yet afraid to be
alone with Dobroski. He had been horri-
| bly, frightened all along. When Zeno
| had seemed to stand on the edge of
| fatal blunder in respect to his wife's ma
tionality, his blood had suddenly run cold,
and he had eyed Dobroski in an agony of
apprehension.
perhaps you don't know" said Frost,
| addressing his fellow rascal, what sort
of muss you've got your features into.
| You'd better take one of them candles
| into the next room and get a wash there"
| Zeno glanced at himself in the dis
colored glass above the mantelpiece, and
| feigning to be surprised by what he saw
| there, took up a candle and retired. As
he entered the bedchamber he stumbled
| against chair, and in putting it out of
the way propped the door open with it.
Frost approached Dobroski.
| II don't quite make out this news of
yours, SIR" he said, half whispering.
You say Zeno is in London. Who has
seen him?"
| HE was seen and recognized at Char
ing Cross station by two of the breth-
ren," returned Dobroski. "Unhappily he
was missed and lost in the crowd They
saw him take a cab, but in the confusion
they followed the wrong vehicle"
| ErOSL, SCduuluS WlUQ his DaCK TO the
light, dared to look into Dobroski's eyes,
which were Illuminated by the flame of
the solitary candle. He could read there
no sign of suspicion, but he asked him
self what would have happened if Zeno
had been tracked to his residence-what
would happen If he really had been track
ed there, and if Dobroski were only play
ing with him. The fancy turned him
cold.
'You have been looking at this por-
trait?" said the old man, striding past
Frost, and taking up the photograph,
which still lay upon the table. HE will
be troublesome to us, most likely, but
we are forewarned against him, and fore
warned is forearmed in the proverbs of
many nations"
MY candle has gone out" said Mr..
Zeno, presenting himself at the bedroom
door with the candlestick in one hand
and towel in the other. Dobroski threw
a photograph on the table, and Zeno, as
he relit his candle at the other, glanced
at 1t. DO you know this man, friend
L L. q