The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-07-18
CHAPTER XIX.

spoken by his singular hostess. She went
to the window from time to time, and
locked out as if expecting some one. Al
length Walter determined to break the
silence, which had become oppressive. 1t
did not seem natural for two persons to
be in the same room SO long without
speaking a word.
Il should think you would find it lone
~ living in the woods away from any
neighbors," he said.
IL don't care for neighbors," said the
woman, shortly.
Have you lived here long?"
That's as people reckon time," was the
answer.
"You don't have far to 60 for fuel,
was the next remark of our hero.
did you say you was book peddlsr 2
she inquired.
Il am book agent"
ed.
II have done very we'll so far, but then
I have been at it only a week."
Its good thing to have money" said
the woman, more to herself than to Wal
ter.
YES" said Walter Its very conven-
lent to have money but there are other
things that are better"
"Such as what?" demanded the woman
abruptly.
\ Good health, and good conscience"
She laughed scornfully.
'I'll tell you there's nothing 50 good
as money. I've wanted it all my life,
and never could get it. Do you think l
would live here in the woods if 1 had
money? No. should like to be lady.
and wear fine clothes, and drive about
in handsome carriage. Why are some
people so lucky, while l live in this mis-
cradle hole?'
Perhaps your luck will change some
day." he said, though he had little Faith
In his own words. He wondered how the
tall, gaunt woman of the backwoods would
look dressed in silks and satins.
my luck never will change" she said.
quickly. Il must live and die in some
such howell as this"
my luck has changed" said Walter,
quietly; "but in different way"
"How?" she asked, betraying in her
tone some curiosity.
"A year ago-six months agony faith
or was rich man, or was considered so.
He was thought to be worth over hun
dred thousand dollars. All at once his
property was swept away, and now l am
obliged to earn my own living, as you
See"
"How did your father lose his money!
by specializing in mines"
The more fool he !!
my father is Dead" said Walter,
gracely. II cannot bear to hear him
blamed"
"Humph!" calculated the woman. II
expect you are hungry"
YES" said Walter, II am: but can
wait till your husband comes"
She took out from a small cupboard a
plate of bread and some cold meat, and
laid them on the table. Then she steep
ed some tea, and, when 1t was ready, she
put that also on the table. Walter I'M
derstood from this that supper was ready,
and, putting on his shoes, which were
now dry, he moved his chair up.
The woman poured him out some tea
In one Of the cracked cups.
The first sip of the tea, which was
quite strong, nearly caused a wry ex-
preston on Walters face, but he man.
aged to control himself so far as not to
betray his want of relish for the bev-
erage his hostess offered him. The only
redeeming quality it had was that it
was hot, and, exposed as he had been
to the storm, warm drink was agree
able
There's some bread and there's some
J meat" said the woman. You can help
yourself"
J Walter ate heartily of the food, and
succeeded In emptying his cup of tea.
He would have taken another cup il there
had been milk and sugar, but it wa stoo
bitter to be inviting.
Walter pushed his chair from the table,
and sat down again before the fire. She
rose and cleared the table. replacing the
bread and meat in the cupboard There
was silence for another hour Walter
wished 1t were time to go to bed, for
the presence of such a woman made him
feel uncomfortable. But it was too early
yet to suggest retiring. At length the
silence was broken by a step outside.
That's Jack" said the woman, rising
. hastily; and over her face there came a
transient CLEAN of satisfaction, the first
Walter had observed
opened. and Jack entered. Walter look.
ed up with some curiosity to see what
sort Of man the husband of this woman
might be. He saw a stout man, with low
ering eyes, and matter red hair and
beard.
"They are itly mated" thought our
hero.
The man stopped short as his glance
rested upon Walter, and he turned
quickly to his wife.
M who have you got here, Meg?" be
asked, in rough voice.
He was overtaken by the storm. and
wanted me to take him in, and give him
supper and lodging"
Hes boy. What brings him into
these woods?'
HE says he's book peddler."
where are his books?"
II have sold them ALL" said Walter
feeling called upon to take a persona
share in the conversation.
How many did you have?"
Twenty"