The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Captain Eri wiped the crumbs from his mouth, leisurely produced his pipe The “able seaman” did not feel very hungry, but he managed to swallow a hardboiledeggandasandwichand then, just to show that he had reached the dignity of manhood, leaned back against the side of the cockpit, lit a cigarette and observed cheerfully, “This is hot stun, ain’t it, cap?” l “You bet!” he said fervently and went away whistling. Captain Peres slept better that night. CHAPTER XIV. ROMPTLY at a quarter to 4 the next morning Captain Eri rapped on the parlor door. , Josiah, who had been dressed sznce 3, appeared almost instantly. They walked down to the shore togeth- er, and the captain’s eyes twinkled as he noted the elaborate roll in the boy’s walk. The Mary Ellen was anchored be- tween the beaches, and they rowed 01! to her in a dot-y. It was pitch dark and cold and raw. Lanterns showed on two or three of the other boat: near by, and as Josiah and the captain pull- ed up the eelgrass covered anchor a dim shape glided past in the blackness. It was the You and I, bound out. I‘ra Sparrow was at the helm, and he hall- ed the Mary Ellen, saying something about the weather. “It’ll be kind or ca'm for a spell," replied Captain Eri, “but I wouldn’t wonder if we had some wind ’fore night. Here, you, to‘mast hand,” he added, turning to Josiah, “st by to git the canvas on her." It was after sunrise when they reach- ed the ledge where co'dflsh most do con- gregate. The land was a mere yellow streak on the horizon. The stiir east- erly blow of the day before had left a smooth. heavy small that, tripping over the submerged ledge, alternately tossed the Mary Ellen high in air and dropped her toward the bottom. It was cold, and the newly risen Decem- ber sun 'did not seem to have much warmth in it Anchor over the side, the captain proposed breakfast “There!” exclaimed the captain, ' bringing his big palm down on the hack of the “able seaman” with a thump that brought water into the eyes of that proud youth. “You’re my man, : shipmate. We sail tomorrer mornin'] at 4, rain or shine. I’ll call you at_ Quarter of. Be ready.” ' “You bet. old man!” said Josiah. Captain Perez met his friend as they came out of the parlor. The captain answered in the very .words of his crew. “Now, Eri,” he whispered, “be easy as you can with him, won’t you?” So Josiah signed, and then Captain Er! aflixed his own signature with a flourim. “You see,” he said, “I’ve put you down as able seaman ’cause that’s .what yeu’ll be when I git through with you. Now sign.” “1’ng0 with. you, cap.” ment to the effect that “Josiah Bart- lett, able seaman,” was to ship aboard the catboat Mary Ellen for a term at two months. Wages, $5 a month. He brought pen, ink and paper and proceeded to indite a formidable docu- “Good! That's the talk! You might as well sign articles right away. Wait till I git ’em ready.” “I'll go with you, cap," said Josiah, those eyes were shining. or all restraint as that of an able sea- man on a merchant ship, or, prefera- bly, on a fisherman. but one point he made clear, and that was that unless the applicant had had previous train- in: his lot was likely to be an unhap- py one. “Of course,” he said as he rose to go, “it was my idea to sort of train you up so’s you could be ready when ’twas time to ship, but long’s you don’t want to, why, it‘s all off.” I'vlfl inc sun apparently. and, according to him. there was no life so free and void 1E5? 175 U?) m ‘t'h'é sfllefié. H's wasn’t going to be a “cheap guy ilsh- mam" he was going into the navy. The captain did not attempt to urge him. neither am he prea ’or patron- ue. He simply leaned ck in the rocker and began spinning sailor yarns. He told of all sorts of adventures in all climates and with all sorts of peo- ple. He had seen everything under‘ CAP’N JERI :PAGE FOUR. (Continued from last week) Copyright, 1%, by A. S. Barnes 8: 00., Publishers. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York. All Rights Reserved. By JOSEPH C. LINCOLN Captain El", standing “$36211 regarded him sternly, but there themspidon oratwinkleinhuey “Want to mots-m3 m r mg Into we (3110111, Drougnt DUI. an ‘3‘“; waved like a man he was mm pea- jacket and some other wraps mth E like one. He learned to m the m wmch he covered the sleeper. Then he ‘ Ellen and to hindle he: in all weath- went back to his fishing. ers. Also his WM Captain It! When Josiah awoke the Mary Ellen; developed into .‘ m . ._ was heeled over on her side, her sail! Ca'ptun Perez was gratified Ind do- and the boat was racing fluough seas ‘ “rm was meanw- Wuifith that were steel blue and mm, “m, maimuw:‘ttw WV,“ whitecaps 0'1 their m .m “n: immunized“ mm m was hidden by mmblinz. 4““ 00W 5 anemia-ems“ “Whit. clouds. The boy felt weak mm ‘. mnmmmmm Well, ’twas a dreadful forenoon for Josiah, one not to be forgotten. The boat rolled unceasingly, his head ached, and pulling the heavy cod made his back and shoulders lame; also he was wet and cold. The other boats scat- tered about the fishing grounds pulled up their anchors and started for home, but Captain Eri did not budge. At noon he opened his lunch basket'again and munched serenely. The sight of the greasy ham sandwiches was too much for the “able seamen." He suf- fered a relapse and when it was over tumbled on the seat which encircled the cockpit and, being completely worn out, went fast asleep. The captain watched him for a minute or two. smiled in a not unkind]: way and, go- ing into the cabin, brought out an old pea jacket and some other wraps with which he covered the sleeper. Then he went back to his fishing. When Josiah awoke the Mary Enen washeebdweronherddehersaig“ as tight as aidmmhead' The wind 1y humble. The dreadful nit-ea m “Iâ€"I guess I won’t fish any more, cap. Kind of slow sport, ain’t it? , Guess I’ll go in there and take a The “able seaman” was frightened. This sort of treatment was new to him. He judged it best to obey now and “get square” later on. He sulkily‘ picked up the cod lines and threw the hooks overboard. Captain Eri. calmly resuming his fishing, went on to say: "The fust thing a sailor has to ram is to obey orders. I see you’ve stopped Smokin’. Light up.” “I don’t want to.” “Well, I want you to. Light up." “I won't. Oh, yes, I will!” He eyed the threatening boot fear- fully and lit the awful pipe with shak- mg fingers. But he had taken only a few putts when it went over the side. and it seemed to Josiah that the larger half of himself went with it. Reluctantly the boy obeyed and A puffed with feverish energy. Also he ~' swallowed with vigor. The cod smelled fishy; so did the bait, and the catboat rolled and rolled. Suddenly Josiah .pulled in his lines and took the pipe i from his lips. “No, I’m not inn’. I promised not to lay a hand on you in anger, that’s all. Fust place, I don’t kick with my hands, and, second place, I ain’t an- gry. Now, then, pick up them lines.” He tried to get out of the way, but didn't succeed, and this time merely sat up and sobbed as Captain Eri said in even tones: “Youâ€"youâ€"I’ll kill you!” he shriek- ed. “You promised not to touch me, you lyin’ old”â€" “I guess you won’t! You shipped to fish, and you're goin’ to fish. Pick up them lines.” The boy sullenly turned toward the cabin door. “Aw, go chase yourself!" he said contomptuously. A minute att- er, when he. picked himself up from the heap of slimy fish in the bottom of the boat, he saw the captain standing solidly on one cowhide shod toot, while the other was drawn easily back and rested on its toe. When Josiah recov- ered his breath the burst of bad lan- guage with which he assailed his com. panion did credit to his street bring- in; up. It was as short as it was fierce, however, and ended amid the cod and the mussels from the over- turned bait bucket. But, as the cap- tain said afterward, he was “spunky” and rose again, incoherent with rage. I The cod bit almost immediately, and for ten minutes the work was excit- ing and lively. The captain, watching ] from the corner of his eye, noticed that his assistants pipe was wheezing less regularly and that his lines were thrown over more and more listlessly. At length he said: "Haven’t stopped , smokin’soquick, have you? What’s the l matterâ€"gone out? Here’s a match." “What’s the matter?” inquired the watchful skipper. “Bosh! It you want to bg a. reel sail. or you must smoke all the time. Light up.” “I guess I’ve smoked enough for now. I can’t fish so well when I’m smokin’.” “All ready!” said the skipper. “Two lines apiece, one over each side. Watch me.” ' Josiah staggered into the little cabin, reappeared with the heavy cod lines and the bucket of mussels and watched while the captain “baited up.” "Now, then." said Captain Erl, “we've sojered long enough. Go below and bring up the bait bucket and the '_1‘he “able ueaman" took the reciting, nicotine soaked hflair, placed it ginger- ly between his teeth, held a match to the bowl and coughinzly emitted a cloud of ill smelling smoke. The pipe wheezed and gurgled, and the Mary Ellen rocked and rolled. “Oh, no,” he said magnanlmously, “you'll want it yourself. I‘ll git non: with those things till I (it ashore, then I'll buy a pipe of my own.” “Never you mind ’bont me. I’ve got two or three more below there some- ’eres. Toke it and light up.” likeaman.” Josiah looked askance at the prof- rered pipe. . frqu. Bare, take ans filpé Indâ€" Sicko CHAPTER XV. F Josiah expected any relaxa- tion in Captain Eri's stern discipline he was disappoint- ed, for he was held to the strict letter of the “shipping articles." The captain even went to the length of transferring Perez to the' parlor cot and of compelling the boy to share his own room. This was, of course, a pre- caution against tax-ther attempts at running away. Morning after morning the pair rose before daylight and start- ed for the fishing grounds. There were twotor three outbreaks on the part or the “able seamen,” but they ended in but one my, complete submission. merawmleJogmrbeingbynomecu an 7% v "' . >7 .4 A4 â€" I‘~~. The catboat swung about on her final tack and stood in for the narrows, the route which the captain had spoken of as the “short cut.” From where .70- siah sat the'wa'y seemed choked with lines of roaring, frothing breakers that nothing couldapproach and keep above water. But Captain ‘Eri steered the Mary Ellen through them as easily as a New York cab driver guides his ve- hicle through a jam on Broadway, pick- ing out the smooth places and avoid- ing the rough ones until the last bar was crossed and the boat entered the sheltered waters or the bay. V “By gum!" exclaimed the enthusi- astic “able 'se'aman.” “'that was greatâ€"erâ€"sir!" ' ' ‘That’s part of what I’ll l’arn you in the next two months,” said the captain. “’TWon't do you any harm to kn’ow it 'wh‘en you re in the navy neither. Stand by to let go anchor!” ‘ ‘ “Then," went on the captaln, “when the two months is up you'll be your own master again. You can go back to Web Saunders and Squealer Wlxon and Ily Tucker and their tribe. it you want to, and be a town nuisance and a good-forâ€"nuthln’, or you can do this: You can go to school for a few years more and behave yourself. and then, if I've got any influence with the congressman from this. districtâ€"and I sort of b’lieve I have, secondhandeel. at any rateâ€"you can go to Ann-mo": and learn to be a navy officer. That’s my 0361'. You’ve got a couple of months to think it over In.” “I guess I don't want to be a sailor, anyway, air. This one trip is enough for me, thank you. ” “Can’t help that. You shipped ’long with me tor two months, and you’ll sail with me for two months, every time I go out. You won’t run away again neither. I’ll look out for that. You’ll sail with me, and you’ll help clean fish, and you’ll mind me, and you’ll say ‘slr.’ You needn’t smoke it you don’t want to,” with a smile. “I ain’t p’tic’lar about that. And then Captain Eri began a tale that caused the cold, shivers to chase . themselves from Josiah's big toe to the I longest hair on his head. It was the 1 story or two boys who ran away and shipped aboard an Australian sailing packet, and contained more first class horrors than any one of his beloved I dime novels. As a finishing touch the ! narrator turned back the grizzled hair 1 on his forehead and showed a three r inch scar, souvenir of a first mate and 5 a Delaying pin. He rolled up his flan- nel shirt sleeve and displayed a slight- igly misshaped left arm, broken by a !kick from a drunken captain and bad- . ly set by the same individual. “Don’t know. S’pose I’d have been killed, sir.” “Well, you would, mighty nigh, and that’s a fact. Now, I’ll tell you some- thin’ else. You wanted to enlist in the navy, I understand. You couldn’t git in the navy, anyway; you’re too young. But s'pose you could, what then? You’d never git any higher’n a petty oflicer, ’cause you don’t know enough. The only way to git into the navy is to go through Annapolis and git an education. I tell you, education counts. Me and Perez would have been some- thin’ horo’n cheap flahin’ and coastin’ skippers if we’d had an education. Don’t fox-git that.” “Now," he said in conclusion, “I cal’- late you think I was pretty hard on you this mornin', but what do you fig- ger that you’d have got it you talked to a mate the way you done to me?” mx.’2‘--â€" - “Perez ever tell you 'bout our tust v'yage? Never did, hey? Well, I will. Him and me run away to sea together. you know.” ' “3'6; than? you. 611‘.” It was some time before anything more was said. Josiah was gazing at the yellow and ciifl'a that on ever! tack grew nearer. At length the cap- tain again addressed him. “Yonâ€"youâ€"I’u kill you!” i ' “You don’t say!” exclaimed the cap- { tam. “Why, Jerry used to know him." qsmuuwwmunJMMkmwa lot of folks on the Cape here. He was amfihmMquMMuuwflmu â€"mdMaMIMMamdnnmnm- er long as he was well. I’ve called a mwzmmkuuvmhMmlMI feel pretty nigh as much it home on the water” I do on land. Our trouble mumnmmmuepmmmymm haveâ€"we didn’t ml'hte that an- weath- «wmwnuuwemmmnnfluL “Rwuflnmtmnuunmnmm funnMu‘humflhwhmuq. mnmuuunuumndan‘mfl ‘bmuflfiflnnflmuflhflbun up mm to Cal, and we he! a m ,guequnmnmwuufl ma ‘ i 1 I 'anlebnnnc manna. in I haven’t said much about myseit sence I’ve been here. for no p’tic’lar reason that I know of except that there wasn’t much to tell and It wasn’t a very mterestin’ yarn to other folks. My husband's me was Jubal I think of 11:. I declare. And in that kind of a paper too." “I’ve wondered more times than a few how you ever got u bold or that paper. 'I‘aln't one you‘d see every day nat’rally, you know.” Mrs. Snow paused before she an- swered. Then she said slowly: “Wel‘ I’m s’prlsed you ain't asked that store. “Don’t say a word. Cap'u Eri." she protested. “It’s been jest a pleasure to me, honest. ‘ I’ve had more comfm nndâ€"well, peace. you might say. gem.- I’vo been in this house than I've ha 1 store for years.. I don‘t kno'w whux you must think.“ me answerin' an ad- verflsement {or 'n husband that way. It makes me 'shamed or myself when lt over agalni’ “It’s always seemed funny to me,” remarked the lady, “that you men. all sailors and used to doln' for your- selves, should have had such a time when you come to try keepln’ house." “It does. don’t it? I've thought of that myself. Anybody ’d think we wa~ the most shlf'leaa lot that ever live". but we wa'n't. Even Jerryâ€"an' In" 1110 wust one of the three when i ‘ comes to leavln’ things at loose endsâ€" ‘always had a mighty neat vessel an, had the name of makln’ his crews tol the mark. I honestly b'llevc it come ’.. us beln' on shore an‘ ruuuin‘ the sin bang on a share and share alike ldee If there’d been a skipper. a fuller t. " boss things, we'd have done better. bu! when all hands was boss nobody 11-. like doln’ anything. “Now, take that marryin’ idea." l.- went on. “I laughed at that a gm deal at fast and didn‘t really who :::._ stock ln it, but I guess ’th5 l't'..l he. sense after all. Anyhow‘it brought 329.; down here, and what we'd (lL‘lIO in... out you when John was tool; sick l don’t know. You've been so uligiz.;. good and put up with so many 11.5w;- that must have fretted you llke up nation. and the way you’ve managedâ€" my!” The whole souled admiration In an captain’s voice made the 'housekoepez blush like a girl. “Seems almost as if you'd always been here,” replied Captain Erl. “Queer how soon we sit used to a change. I don't know how we got along afore. but we did some way or other. it you call' it gittin' along.” he added. with a Www w, ,3 1y asleep. “Let me see," said Mrs. Snow mus- ingly in a low tone. “I’ve been here now two, three, over four months. Seems longer somehow." Christmas was rather a failure. There were presents, of course. but the I planned festivities were omitted owing . to a change in John Baxter’s condition. ‘ From growing gradually better he now grew slowly, but surely. worse. Dr. Palmer’s calls were more frequent, and he did not conceal from Mrs. Snow or the captains his .anxlety. They hid much or this from Elsie,.but she, too, noticed the change and was evidently worried by it. Strange to say. as his strength ebbed the patient’s mind grew clearer. His speech. that in his inter- vals of consciousness had heretofore dealt with events or the past. was now more concerned with recent hap- penings, but Captain Eri had never heard him mention the fire. One afternoon in January Mrs. Snow and Captain Eri were together in the sickroom. The mt of the household was absent on various errandsâ€"Cap- tain Perez paying a visit to the lite saver’s sister and Elsie staying after school to go over some examination tween the pol: wss ansl. Hsseltlne celled occsslonelly. It is true. but his ‘stays were short. sud at the slightest lncllnstlon shown by the older 900910 to leave the room he left the house. There was some comment by Br! and Mrs. Snow on this sudden chance. bl“ they were far from suspecting the reel reason. Elsie continued to be u reticent as she had been or late. Her school work was easier now that Josiah wss no longer a pupil. But in hit hen-t Captain Jerry knew better. He hag! been wise enough to lay nothing to his friends concerning his interviews with Elsie 1nd Ralph. but annex-anti? the braking on be- “I should hate to hue to try Captain Baxter wu apparent- the way, as you read like the other trashy things In there :nd‘it sounded honest. and an or a sudden It come over me that I'd an- awer it. I was lone-one and'tlred and tort or didn't an, and I unrated It right on mama wun' another mm. ute. .mt'u'ul there I: mun. When -“Well, I looked It on: and umost the first thing I saw m that ndver-V mement signed ‘Sflpperf It didn't They left two or three story papers and that Chime thing when they went away. enough critters, but I asked 'em In and they eat their lunches on my table. and some of the folks come down my way to have a sort of picnic. Two of 'em, factory girls from Brockton they was, come to the house for a drink or water. They were giggiin', foalish told her I didn't know unless it was answerin' city tolka’ questions. She didn’t like that very well, and I have not heard from Jobâ€"that’s my brother â€"tor a long time. All my other near relations are dead. “So they foreclosed the mortgage and gave me notice to move out. I packed my things and watered my flowersâ€"I had quite a pretty flower gardenâ€"tor the last time and then come in and set down in the rocker to wait for the wagon that was goin' to move me. I got to thinkin’ how proud Jubal and me was when we bought that house. and how we planned about fixin‘ it up, and how our baby that died was born in it, and how anal himself had died there and told me that he was glad he was leavin' me a home at any rate. and I got so lonesome and discouraged that I Jest cried: I couldn't help it. But I’ve never found that cryin’ did much good, so I wiped my eyes and looked for somethin' to read to take up my mind. And that Chime paper was what I took up. “You see. there'd- been a big excur- sion from Boston down the day before “I’ve got a brother out in Chicago. but he married rich, and hls wife doesn’t care much for her husband's relations. I never saw her but once. uni then one or the first things she askedmewuifltwuu-nethatthere was more crazy people in Nantucket than in any other place or its size on earth, end ntore I could answer she ments :1 little. and they sent me word they should foreclose the mortgage, and they did.” “Well, I swan! The mean sculplns! Didn't you have nobody you could go toâ€"no relations nor nothln’?" couragin', of course, but I had my house. except for the mortgage, and I had my health again. and. 11 I do say it, I ain‘t atrud of work. so I jest made up my mind there ,was no use cryln' over spilt milk and ”that I must sit along and begin to save all over again. Then Jedge Brin- died, and his nephew up to Boston come into the bein' none of Cape people and their father. such tine men. everybody aaid 'twaa all right. I got my dividend- reg'lar for awhile. and I went out nuaaln’ and did aewln' and got along reel well. I kept thinkln' aome day I'd be able to pay on the mortgage and i put away what little I could toward it. but then I waa took nick and that money went. and then the land com. pany went up the spout." The captain nodded. The failure of the company had brought poverty to hundreds of widows. Mrs. Snow’s case was but another instance. “Let me see." said the latLv; “where was 1? Oh, yes; the land company's tailin’. Well, it failed, and the insur- ance money went with it. It was dis. “She! I mat to know!" Note In the «pain. “Be an. hey! Well. I had tome there. too. end so did Peres. Precious few rm'nes on the Cape that didn’t." “Yes, he thought 'twu the “rest and best place he knew of. The omcen mwmmmwlthlt. so" l'd have the home tree and clear. But the Judge am no not to. cold the mort- m was conun' me only 6 per cent. udwhydldn‘tl putthemoney when -’twu likely be a good investment that would no eight or ten per cent? Then I'd be mann' money. he sold. I asked hlm to lnveot it {or me. and he put lt into the Buy Shore Land company. where most of hln own won." 23 MmEthnthWn't earn Inch at “mint. M ”my we come to where eomethin’ hed to be' done right away. and we talked the thing on: and decided to mortals the house. hemmeywegotsnthemort' page listed until he died. “He he a little we mm, not mammteutfle He was plannin’ to take on more. but somehow it never seemed as 11 he cook! die. he whkendmmdwepntitou until he got so he couldn't 9889 the examination. When the insurance money come I took It to ledge Brinr. '1 mighty good friend at Juhel's and mine and the one that held the norm on the home. and I told him I wanted to “Fire 1" j “I hear the can. Lord," be said. “I thank thee tor showin' it to me in your a book. 'And they burnt all their cities wherein they dwelt. and aii their good- ly cuties, 'wlth are! With are! With are!" “sq-m There, there. John! Don’t an '6,” attuned the captain. Now! Burn! I‘ve done it. Lord! I’ve done It!" “Huh!” 111nm shouted the agonncd Captun Erl. “Huh. John! Be sum" A “There. there. Ca’p'n Burner." said Mrs. Show Ioothingly. laying her hand on the nick mun torehead. Somehow seemed to 'qmet him. an M fire and he muttered ”Where’s the kerosene?" continued the old nun. “And the matches? Now softly, Ioffly. The shavin's. It's dark. Here. In the corner. “Ah. in! Ah, ha! ‘And all their castles with flre!’ Now.'Web Saunders. you wicked man! Now! Burn! I’ve done it, Lord! I’ve "School work. I s'pose. She’s workin' harder'n she ought to, I think." “Fire!" The word was shouted, and the room rang with it. John Baxter, whose weakness had hitherto been so great that he could not turn himself in bed, was leaning on his elbow and pointing with outstretched finger to the open stove door. “Flu!” he shouted again. “It’s hlazin'! lt'a burnin'! It's wipln’ the plague spot from the earth. I hear you, Lord! I’m old, but I hear you, and your servant’s ready. Where will it betomorrer? Gone! Burnt up! And the way: of the wicked shan't prevail.” They forced him back on the pillow, but he {chant them fiercely for a moâ€" ment or two. After they thought they had quieted him he broke out again. talking rapidly and clearly. fl‘he captain glanced keenly at the housekeeper, but her face was placid and inscrutable. He shifted uneasily. and then said: “Elsle's late tonight. ain't she? I wonder what’s keepln' “I never saw him so restless atore.” commented Captain Erl anxiously. “He was so last night." "Dld Elsie see him ?" “No, I was alone here, and she was asleep in the next room. I got up and shut the door." "Nothln’ very hopeful. I asked him plain what he thought of the case, and he answered Jest as plain. He said Cap’n Baxter had failed dreadful 1n the last week, and that he wouldn't be a’prlsed it he dropped-oi! most any time. Then again he said he might live for months." Tho captain wondered what his friend might have said during those “spells," but he was afraid to inquire. Instead he asked, “What did the doc- tor say when he was here this morn- “I know, i know.” with the monot- onous persistence of those whose minds are wanderingâ€"and then clearly once more, “Ex-i. I’ve been call ” “Ssh-h! That's all right. John; that‘s all right. Don't you want Mrs. Snow to fix your pillar? Pram you'd lay a little easier, then. Now. Mrs. Snow. it you'll Jest turn it while I lift him. So; that's better now, ain't it, ship- mate, hey? But the sick man muttered an unin- telligible something. and relapsed once more into the half doze, halt stupor that was his usual state. Captain Eri sighed in relief. “hat was queer. wa‘n’t it?" be ob- served. "He's had two or three of those spell: in the last day or twp." was the “What u it, John?” he asked. “E11. a'pose God called you to break man's law md keep his. what would you do?” The captain glanced anxiously at the housekeeper. Then he said soothingly: “Oh. that's all right, John. Don’t worry 'bout that. You and we settled that long ago. How are you feelln' Mrs. Snow hurried to her patient. but the latter impatiently bade her let him alone. “Not you." he said. “I want Eri.” Captain Er! stooped down beside the They both laughed. end Mu. Snow was about to answer when she was In- terrapted. “Ed.” said e weak voice. “Ed." The cupuln mmd. turned aha-ply and saw the nick man wutchlnx him. It waa to need ‘ the tale of the year of disappointment andenxl Such atorieeerenot easy Cod money. I never new but one man thet I montht wee [lad lt hunted. and that wee old Cell) Weeka. over to Henlae. The old man wee dch. but cloaer‘n the bark of e treeâ€"he'd skin a flea tor the hlde end balmâ€"and need tobeaherdeaeelntotheherzaln. One tlme they hed a bl; revlvel over more end he got tension. The boye need to eey whet aunt Caleb wee the min- laeer'a eayln' aalvatlon wee tree. Well. anyhow. he got converted and fined the church. That wee all right. only while the at wee freeh he pledged hlm- eel! to give $500 to help bulld the new clapel. When be cooled down a llttle m wee eorry, end every time they'd hint at hla comln’ down wlth the caeh he'd hack and an end put lt on for a spell. When the lend company went up he wee the only happy one In town. ’cauee he aald he'd lost all hle money. Couree. under the clrcumetencee, they couldn’t aek him to pay. no he didn't. . 1: eyes fixed and unwavering. ' “Ed," said John Baxter team. “come {rhinitrl bear hé that as much u WATCEHAK-WARDER, Captaln Er! started toward the schoolhonoe at a rapid pace. then he suddenly stopped, and then as sudden- ly walked on again. All at once he dropped his‘ umbrella and struck one hand into the palm of the other with n smack. ‘ When he reached the door he leaned the umbrella la the corner and walked up the stain very softly indeed. Baxter had not wakened and Mrs. Snow said she was not afraid to re- main alone with him. The thaw had: turned to a light rain and the captain carried an umbrella. It was dark by this time and when he came in sight of the schoolhouse he saw a light in the window. One of the scholarsâ€"a by no means brilliant one, whose principal educa- tional achievement was the frequency with which he succeeded in being “kept after school”--was seated on the fence. doing his best to» whittle it to pieces with a new jackknite. “Hello. sonny!” said the captain. “Miss Preston gone yit?” “No. she nin’t.” nepiied the boy, con- tinning to whittle. “She's up there. hit. Saunders is there too." “Sanndei's? Web Saunders?” “Yup. I see um go in theré a little while ago." schoolhouse to bring Elsie home. John It was perhaps a half hour later when Cantaln Eri started for the “Mu-day Snow,” he said. “you‘re the kind of woman that I'd like to have had for a sister." ' what I'd have done it I'd been in your place. and I mpect you for it.” see, John and me‘s been brothers al- most. But I didn't s‘pose anybody else would see it the same way." “Cap’n Eri. do you s’pose I blame you for tryln' to keep your best friend out of trouble that he got into by bein' â€"well-â€"out of his head. Why, land of mercy! He ain’t no more to be held “You do?" “I sardnly do." “Well, I snnm! I've been over that thing time and time min, and 1'" felt like! wuurtotailrebnznnelt sometimes. I've heard £01k: hym‘ it to met one and then the other and cal- 'latin' thnt Web did it himself to sit the insurance, and all the time I've known who really did do it and haven't empty kerosene bottle in his pocket. Ihldthecoatandthrewthebotflo sway and turned him so he was facin’ toward the saloon 'stead of from it. Andluedwhenltoldthedocta'that he was jest as he tell. There, the no» der’l out! Now, what do you think at his coat on when I found him, t, and then was an ad 'twuall 8 fly, Ann-rock people should have . m hmdy in cue olmdden. has!” excuse meâ€"I’m kind of upset. I guess. Deer, dear! Did you think I knew it?” “I sort or guessed that you d1 ” “Wen, I did. I've known it ever sence that nizht he was found. He “That he set the billiard room afire? Yes. I’ve aways rather suspicioned that he did, and last night. of course, made me sure of it.” “Well. well! You haven't said noth- In' ’bout it to anybody?" “Lead or love!” exclaimed the cap. tain} “That was awful. Hedn't 1 bet. her go for the doctor?” “I don't think so, unless he an wane. He had jest such a turn, as I told you. last night." “Dld e talk like he did jest now ?" “Jest e same.” “ 'Bout the same things?" Tho captain’s voice shook as he an- i‘boently finthe was area. '11)”: The eyes cloud and he Iny still. breummg heavily. “No; course you haven’t. You must The «pain zasped- DI. f. A. WI. Unit“! Ton-Ito. Can ORIATIIT OF ALI- â€" vâ€" “’7 (pronounce!) Sit-KC“) I” i0 perform their proper work [aunt of support. Pale, weak. of ”mi; people should use CHAPTER FEBRUARY 8m, 1906 you you Fruit. Subh $23 ; s‘ Men 1 $6.50, ‘ price :91 days... Stan; ines, 1“: match, : 1‘0 Sablt 8.50 ; $16, fc fron all 11 FRI Men‘ $5 calm RU Vol Do ‘ this in Seal Men’s Men’s Men’s Men’s; Men‘s: Men's? Men‘s HIM Sam Seal Men"