The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1911-12-28
TIE BRASS BOWL" EFT
S10WTG BY DANY WAA[gU[5NS

go on valeting until I'm too old; after
that the moneyll be a comfort,
dares'y. Don't you think SO,
sir?"
Il believe you're right, Doggott;
only your common-sense surprises me.
But 1t makes it easier in way. ="
Amber fell thoughtful again.
COWS that, sir-if my ask"
This way" said Amber: Before
he died, Mr.. Rutton asked me to do
him service. agreed. He sug-
gested that take you with me-"
I'm ready, sir" interrupted Dog
gott eagerly. There's no gentleman
I'd like to valet for better than your
SELF"
But there will be dangers, Dog
gott-I don't know precisely what.
That's the rub; we'll have to travel
halfway round the world and face un-
known perils. If Mr.. Rutton were
right about 1t, We'll be lucky to get
away with our lives"
"1'll go, sir; 1t was is wish. I'll
go with you to India, Mr.. Amber"
Very we'll. ;" Amber spoke
abstractedly. reviewing his plans.
But" he enquired suddenly, II didn't
mention India. How did you know"
"Why-I suppose I must ave
guessed it, sir. It seemed so likely,
knowing what do about Mr.. Rutton."
Amber sat silent, unable to bring
himself to put single question in re-
gard to the dead mans antecedents.
But after q pause the servant contin-
ued voluntarily.
"He always 'ad a deal to do with
persons who came from India-nig
gers-I mean, natives. It didn't much
matter where we'd be-London or
Paris or Berlin or .Rome-they'd unit
i'm up; some ed give money to and
they'd go aw'y; others ed be locked
up with in is study for hours, talking
talking. They'd 'ardly ever come the
same one twice. E 'ated 'em all, Mr.
Rutton did. And yet, sir, l always
'ad a suspicion"
DoggOtt hesitated, lowered his voice,
his gaze shifting uneasily to the still,
shrouded figure in the corner.
WHAT" demanded Amber tensely.
II alw'ys thought per'aps e was
what we call in England a man Of
color, 'imself, sir"
"Doggott!"
Il don't mean no arm, sir; 1t was
just their 'ounding him, like, and is
being a dark-complected man the
syme as them, and speakin' their Ian
guage so ready, that made me think
1t. At least q might ave 'ad a little
Of their blood in i'm, sir. Things d
seem unaccountable otherwise" con-
cluded Doggott vaguely.
tits impossible!" cried Amber.
yes. sir; at least, mean l 'ope so,
sir. Not that it'd myke any difference
to me, the wye felt towards i'm. e
was gentleman, white or black. I'd
We died for i'm any d'y."
"Doxgott!" The Virginian had risen
and was pacing excitedly to and fro
"Doggott! don't ever repeat one word
OF this to man or woman-while
you're faithful to the memory of Mr.
Rutton."
The servant stared, visibly i'm
pressed. Every good, Mr.. Amber. III
remember. sir. don't ordinarily COS
sip, sir; but you and him being &C
thick, and everything 'appening to
night so 'orrible, I forgot myself.
'up~ you'll excuse me. sir"
God in heaven!" cried the youns
man hoarsely. 1T can't be true!" He
flung himself into his chair. buryins
his face in his hands. 1T can't"
Yet irresistibly the conviction was
being forced upon him that Doggott
had surmised Alright. Circumstances
backed up circumstance within his
knowledge of or his experience with
the man. all seeming to prove incon
testably the truth of what at the first
blush had seemed so incredible. Wha1
did he, Amber, know of Rutton's par
entage or history that would refute
the calm belief of the body-servan
of the dead man?
And then Amber's intelligence wa!
smitten by thought as by club
and he began to tremble violently, un
comfortably, being weakened by ia
tigue and the strain of that endless
terrible night. A strangled cry es
capped him without his knowledge
"Sophia!"
Sophia Farrell, the woman he hat
promised to wed, nay even the woman
he loved with all his being-a half
breed, a mulatto! His mind sickenet
with the horror of that thought.
His very soul seemed to shudde
and his reason cried out that tn
thing could never be. Yet IL
his heart Of hearts still he loved her
still desired her with all his strength
and will; in his heart, there was n,
wavering. Whatever Rutton had been
whatever his daughter might be, h,
loved her. And more, the honor o
the Acnbers was in pledge. holding
him steadfast to his purpose to seel
her out in India or wherever sh
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