The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-05-23
STRONG AND STEADY
BY n0RAT10 ALcER. JR
BY noRAT,o ALcrR. JR.

i
at first to pay my board.
"You get place." exclaimed Joshua,
in establishment. II thought you was
going to college"
| Father intended I should; but his
death will probably change my plans. 1t
is expensive passing through college; l
cannot afford it."
| ''Oh, that's all humbug. You're talking
like the old man. Why, you're rich. The
old man told me that your father left q
hundred thousand dollars. You're the only
son; you told me 80 yourself.
| your father is mistaken"
what, wasn't your father rich?" asked
Joshua, opening his small eyes in amaze
ment.
| my father was unfortunate enough to
get involved in a speculation, by which he
lost heavily. I can't tell how his affairs
stand until they are settled. I may be
left penniless."
"Do you mean that?" asked Joshua,
stopping abruptly and facing his compan-
ion
Il generally mean what 1 say" said
Walter, rather stif1y.
Joshua's answer was low whistle Of
amazement.
| "Whew r he said That's the biggest
joke I've heard Of lately :" and he follow
ed up this remark by a burst of merri-
ment.
| Walter looked at him with surprise. He
certainly did not know what to make Of
Joshua's conduct.
Il don't see any joke about it." he said.
II don't complain Of being poor, for l
think l can earn my own living; but it
doesn't strike me as thing to laugh at. !"
Il was laughing to think how the old
man is taken in. It's rich! He thinks
you're worth q hundred thousand dollars"
said Joshua.
| well, he is mistaken, that's all. I
don't see how he is taken In"
Hes been doing the polite, and treat
ing you as if you was prince of the
blood. That's the reason he told the
old woman to get up such a nice supper.
He expected to get you to take him for a
guardian, and then he'd have the hand
| ling of your money. Won't he be mad
| when he finds out how he's been taken in 7?
| Giving you the best room, too! Are you
sure that none of the property will be
| left?''
Probably not much. am sorry to
think that your father made such mis-
take. l will take care to undeceive him"
What! You're not going to tell him,
are your"
Certainly. I meant to do 30; but
| he thought was rich"
What for, then?'
"Being my fathers cousin and nearest
relation, 1t didn't seem very strange that
he should have invited me on that &C
count"
1.-The old mans pretty shrewd," said
Joshua, rather admiringly. He knows
| which way his bread is buttered. He
| don't lay himself out for any poor rela-
lions, not If he knows it. Don't you tell
| him about it till tomorrow"
"Why not?"
Because, II You do, we'll have a mean
breakfast as usual. just want him to
think you're rich a little while longer, 80
| we can have something decent for once"
Il don't feel willing to deceive your
fnther any longer. I have not willingly
deceived him at all. l would rather he
knew at once"
Tomorrow will be soon enough"
"At any rate, 1 shall tell him to-mor-
row then. But I've got tired walking.
Suppose we go back"
They went back together. Mr.. Drum
mond was in the store, but Mrs. Drum
mond was at home.
"You didn't 60 far" she said. But I
suppose you were tired, Mr.. Conrad"
"A little" answered Walter.
Il wonder" thought our hero, whether
she will change as soon as she finds out
| that am poor" Somehow he felt that
she would not. She seemed very different
from her husband and her son, and Wal
ter was inclined to like her better.
| Joshua went out again soon, not hav-
ing much taste for staying at home: and
| as Walter retired early, he did not see
either him or his father again till the
next morning at breakfas>.
Il must go back to the store" said Mr..
Drummond the next morning, when break
fast was over. Joshua will look after
you, Mr.. Conrad. l hope you will be able
to pass the time pleasantly"
| IF you can spare me five minutes. Mr..
Drummond, should like to speak to Won
in private" said Walter.
Certainly. can spare Eve or ten
minutes, or more, Mr.. Conrad. Won't
you walk into the parlor?s
| Mr.. Drummond was far from Anticipate
| ing the nature Of Walters communities
ton. Indeed, he cherished hope that
our hero was about to ask his assistance
III settling up the estate-a request with
which, it is needless to say, he would
gladly have complied.
X don't suppose you know how am
situated mean in relation to my faith
er's estate. It is not certain that my faith
er left anything" said Walter, thinking
| 1t best to reveal everything at once.
"Whatr' exclaimed Mr.. Drummond,
his lower jaw falling. and looking very
blank
my father made some investments re-
Gently that turned out badly"
But he was worth q very large prop
erty-it can't all b lost"
IT am afraid there will be very little
left. II anything. He lost heavily By some
mining stock, which he bought at high
figure, and which ran down to almost
L - 49, - T -.