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The Signal, 1906-7-5, Page 6v TIloa.tAV, July 5 I 1 8 '1`111' SII,':, -\I,: t;0I)01'ICH ONTARIO CAP'N ERI By JOSEPH C. LINCOLN Copyright. lean, by A. S. berm., L Co.. Publt,h.rs. 130 fifth .avenue, New York. All Rights k.s.rv.d D CHAPTER XV. T Josiah expected any relax& Bon In Captain En's ate discipline be was dlrappviut ed. for be war held to th strict letter of the "ablpplug urtk•Ier. The captain even went to the length u transferring Yens to Use parlor to Wel of compelling the boy to shore le ewe room This was, or eouree. a pre caution against further Sttewptr a ✓ unning away. Morning atter Wurule the pair rose before daylight and start e d for the tithing grounds. Tbere wee two or three outbreaks on the part o ler "able seaman•" but they ended I but one. way. complete subwlvslou Sifter awhile Jurltte Wag by nu wean dull, rune to realise that when L believed like a man be was treated like our. lie learned to steer the Mur, Ellett mud to haudle her lu all wentb cry Also Lila respect fur Captalu lir develep,d into u Idklug. 4'upt*lu Peres way gratified and de- lighted at the change In lis grand n ephewd ml '. Le4uvuar inauers, bu Lia mind was tau much occupied with ' menet subject Just ut they tlwe to allow bee to Se overinterested. TL utter subye•t was Mir* PaUeuce Davit kiln Davis, her visit with ber Lruther • being oyer. was uctlug as companion to au old lady who lived in u little house up the shore, a mile or so above the atatluo. This elderly female, whose t ame was Mayo, bad u son wbu kept u grocery store le the village and was therefore, ubliged to be neap all day and uutil late in the evening. Miss Pgtiener found Mrs. Muyu'a crotchets a bit trying, but the work was easy and to her liklug, and she was, as she said, "right across the way. uv you might pay, front Luther." The "way" referred to war the 'Modell of water between the outer beach and the main land. • And ('aptaln Peres was much Inter este! In Mess Patlence-very much so. indeed. HM fretueut vl.lts to the ,taco homestead furnished uo Sud of , autu'sement to t'uptafu Eri and ul.eu to Captain Jerry, who found puking fuu at h1s fermi an sgreeubage r chan(rum the. old programme of being for butt bam'rlf. Ile wasn't entirely free from lhia prnecutbu, however. for Ext morer ml than unce , ail bine fu t ,ages the rur- I engin of %Meeh wus elaborately aeil(d, if Dig matebwakiug scheme had gut tired and was slttlug duwu to rest. to w'birh the sticrl*1ce woukl reply; aunt "oh, etas (emi0' out all right: you welt and see." But lu bas heart Captain Jerry knew bet r lie bad been volae "euuugb to say othing to big friend,' concerning his itervb•wr with Elsie and Ralph, but sin .ureutly the breuklug uff be- tween the pair was anal. Hazeltine called o1•eu4iouadly, 1t U true, but lila stays were abort, and at the slighU'.t !m'Iinetion shown by the older people to leave the room he left the hong. There was sorer comment by Eri uud Mr.. Snow Se thlg sudden elinugr, but they were tar from suspecting the real moon. RI'Ie continued to be as reticent as she had been of late. Her school work was canter now that Josiah was 440 longer a pupil. Christmas was rather a faller('. ro Then. were preaentl, of eooe, bet the d h•' Platelet] were omitted owing to a .hang(' Ie John Batter's eon,IItIon. Front growing gradually letter he now grew slowly, but 'surely. wore. Dr. I'almer', rally were more frequent. and be did not conceal from alto(Snow or the eaptaln, bis anx:.•ty. They hid Mete, ▪ of Ulla from ete, but she. too, 11101i01.11 1t10p. r chamand was evidently worried by It. Strange to say. n'. his l sirewgth ebbed the palieu1's noir crew clearer. Isla upeeeti. that In I ,ter. vale of eow14eluusnr.a hail I tore dealt with events of the psi -4. was n ow more concerned with reernt hap- penings, but Captain Erl had never bean] him mention the tire. One afteroorn In January Mrs. Snow and Captain Eri w'i're together lu the sickroom. The revt of the household was absent on various errands -Cap- tain Perez paying a visit to the life saver's slater and Elrle staying after echoedech.to go over some exauiioitIon paper'. ('aptalu Baxter wag apparent- ly asleep "Let me owe," nand Mr's. Snow mus- ingly In a low tone. "i've been here now two, three, over four mouths. Revue'Inngor somehow." "Seem. menet of If you'd always been herr," replied Captain Eri. "Queer nwe how on e git uset1 to a change. 1 don't kuow how we got along afore, but we did some way or other, Ii you call it glutin' along," he added, with a shrug. "I should bate to have to try tt over naain." "HO' Mower' 'seemed funny to me." etenarkerl the lady, "that you teen, all v.i iota numeal eal to (loin' fir your- w•Ite', shonld have had much n time e hen you come to try keeptu' hoopoe" "It dols. don't 1t? I've thought et 'het myself Anybody 'el think we wan the nest Khielenm Int that ever lived, Wit we wa'n't Even Jerry -an' hr's the wast one of for three when It earns.' to leaven' thing's at Moo. ends- - always had a mighty neat 'reline! and had the name of msklr' bit crews toe the mark. I honestly b'llere It come of von bele' on shore •n' rennin' the Met- hane on a share and share alike Wee.If there'd been a skipper. a feller to boas things, wad have done Dotter, but to wben a!1 hands was ss nobody felt like dole' snytbing. "Now, tike that marrylo' Ides," he wait on. "I laughed at that a good deal at fuel and dida't really take any stock la It. but I gates 'twas real boss sense after all. Anyhow It brought yon down here. and what we'd done with - net you when John was took sick i A•a't koow. You've been se swift madegood bad put tip within made things that most have fretted yew eke the nation, and the way you've managed - user. Yue wbole routed auuiiratlou fu t 4r captuit: r voice wade the housekeeper rt3Muth like u girl • "Duet nay a word. !'ape) Erl" she protested. "it's ea Jest • pleasure e ur to we honest I've had more ton?ort f and --well, Donee. you might say, ,race I've been to this bons. faun l'e'e had t afore for yeurs. 1 don't kuow what s you must think of me summer's' an ud- - .ertlsemeut for • busbuud that way. t It makes woe ',thawed ut wyself when S 1 thluk of It. 1 declare. And In that kind of a paper too" e "I've wondered wore timer than a t ' few how you ever out a bold of teat I paper. 'Tain't old you'd see every day uat'rally, you know." g Mrs. Sauw paused before she au e rowed. Then she said slowly: "Well, I'w **prised you ,met asked that ufore. v' I haven't mild such about myself .rune I've been here. for no peeler r r,a.ou that 1 kuuw of except that there wasn't watch to tell and It wasn't a very Interrstiu' ,yaru to other folks. My buib* d's name was Jubal t ' Snow"- l "You don't say!" exclaimed the cap - tutu. "Wby, Jerry used to know him." c ' "I sboukln't wonder. Jubal knew a i lot of folks 00 the !,`ape Dere. He was a good husband- no better anywhere•, i -bud he and I had a god life tugetb- ' et long as he 'was well. I've sailed a gee! -wavy ravages will bis uud 1 feel pretty nigh as such at home on I the water as I do Liu I wd. Our trouble I war the same that a gaud wady folks 1 hove -we dldu't cal'late that fair weatb- i Sr wouldn't last all the time, that's all. I"It wavu't his fault hey more than 'twat weir. We ?meed a little money, Lilt nut enough, aa it turned out. \1'rll, he vvar tool- duwu shit bed bad to give up gain' to lea, uud we bad u little place over ell Xautucket and iettled duwu on 11. fust along. Jubal was able to do ■ little femtu' and so 00. and we gut along pretty well. but by and L7 he gut 10 be wa'n't able to wurk, aud then 'ewes harder. What little we'd saved went for doctor's Mlle and tbi:, dolt and t'other. He didn't like to have me leave bin, so I couldn't earn lunch of anything. and :tally we roue to where sulurthiu' had to le. dune right away. mud we talked the thing over and derided to mortgage the heusr. The money we gut 9u the wurt- g.tge tatted uutil he diel. "11e had a little life lu.urunce, nut ruuuttb. of mune., but a little He was plauutu' to take ou muse, but somehow 1t never seewad us If he could die, be no big and Mroug, and we put It off until be gat w ¢e couldn't puss the examitlaliutl. When the Insurance emery roue i took It to Jedge Briar. a mighty grad friend of Jubilee uud who. uud the our that held the wot•tg4ge owu the house, uud 1 teed him 1 wanted to pay off the mortgage with It, sten 1'd Lave the house free and clear. But the Jodie udvl'.ed me not to, said the mort- gage was .01110' we only 6 per cent. nud why didn't 1 put the muuey where 'twat likely to be a guod IYyertnent that would pay me eight or ten per e'nt? Then I'd be audio' money, he aid. 1 caked him to Invest It fur me. and he put It Iutu the Bay Shore Land eumpauy, where woe of lee owu was." "Sbo! I want to know!" broke In the captain. "Ile did, bey! Well, t had some there. ton. and so did Perez I'reciuur few tamales on the !'ape that didn't." "Yes, be thought 'twas the safest and bigot place be knew of. The otflcer. belle 101114 of ('ape people and tbeir fathers sorb line wen, evrryb.Jy said 'twat all right. I gut my dividends Patter for awhile, and 1 went out missile and' dell sewlu' and got uluug t•eel well. I kept thiuktn' POMP day 1'd he able to pay off the mortgage uod 1 put away what little I could toward It, but then I was took sick and that 0011,7 went, and then the land com- pany went up the spout." The Captalu nodded. The failure of the company had brought poverty to huudrrda of widows. ,1rr. Suow's rare war but another Instaeee. "Let me gee," sald the lady: "where wag i? Ob. yes; the laud company's faille'. Well it failed, and the inane ante looney weut with It. It sur dlr• e ouraglu', of course. but 1 had my house, except for the mortgage, and I had wy health again, and, If I do say It. 1 ain't afraid of work, so I jot ,nude up my mind there war no nor eryin' over .pelt milk and that I mune git along and Iwgin to save all over again. Then Jedge Rtlar died, and bit nephew up to 13.»fuu come let° the prule'rty. 1 war behind to my pay- ment.' a tittle, and they sent me word they 'Lould foreelo.e the mortgage, and they did." "Well, I swan! The mean sculpIns! Didn't you have uubniy you coiled go to --no relation. nor uothln'?' "i've got a brother out In Chicago. but be married rii•he and hl. wife (tweet care notch for her Methanol'. relation., 1 never s..w her but once. nud then one of the first thlugri she asset me veal It It wag tree that there(' wily more more people In Nantucket thin, In any other pini'(' of Its .14.44 Mb earth, and afore 1 could answer she netted me what maple 'em cr•xy, I told her I didn't know Linde.. It WAS atlrwerlw' city folk.' gweaion'. She didn't like that very well, and i have not heard from Joh that's my brother for a long time. All my other near relation. aro. dead "So they retaliated the mortgage and gave 1110 notice to more out. 1 parked my thing.. mei watered In; flowers --L bad quite a pretty dower garden- fee. the last tine and then come In IWO set down In the rocker to waft foe VW wagon that wan gain' to move mw i got to thlnkln' how prod Jntel and me w'it when we bought that home, sad how we planned shout fila' it Up, and how onr Ashy that died wail 140.0 In It, and how Jnhai himself had died there and told me Um he was glad he was Mavis' to a bents at an, tate, and 1 got so lonesome and discouraged that 1 Jest '•risd; I couldu't help it. But I've never funnel that c•ryln' did murk good. sol ,viisd w7 eyes and looked roc sumrthiu' to read to take up my meld. And that ('hive paper was what I took up. "luu Ser. there'd been a big excur- slou from Bustuu door* the day before "Pert ! " and come of the folks come down my way to have a sort of piculc. Two of em, factory girls from Brockton they Was, come to the Louse for a drink of water. They were gigglln', foolish enough critters, but 1 asked 'em In and they eat their luuchts Liu my' table. They left two or three story papers and that Chloe thing wbeu they went away. "Well, 1 looked it over aid almost the first thing 1 saw was that miter- , tleemeut ■Igeed 'Skipper.' It didn't read like the other trashy thingv iu there and It souudnd Luuest. and all of a sudden 1t come over we tinct 1'd au• .wer 1t 1 was lonesome and tired aud sort of didn't tare, and I answered 1t rigid oft without wattle' auutber wlu- ute. That's all there Is to tell. When I come hers to be housekeeper I wrote the folks that's takiu' care of my fur- altare-1he're .reel kind people; I was gain' to board there if I had stayed lu Nantucket -to keep it till 1 come back. There! 1 meant to tell you this long ago, and I don't kuow why I haven't." The captain kuuw why she hadn't. It was easy to reed b•tweeu the lines the tale of the ,your of disappolutwrut ' and anxiety. Such stories are nut easy to tell, and he respected the widow more than ever for the simple way In which she bad told herr. "That land company bua'nesa," be said, "carried off a good lot of ('ape Cod money. lawyer saw but one wan that I thuught-wam glud It busted. and that was old Caleb \\'erks, over to Hareem. The old mao was rich, but deisrr'u the bark of a tree- he'd skin a flea for the hide and taller ---bud wird to Ir_• a Lard'canedntu the bargalu. 011e time they bad a big revival over there and be got rrtigtat. The boys used to say what caught Caleb was the min- ister's saylu' nalvewluu was free. Well, auymuw, be got converted and J'incd the church. That was all right. only while the At was fresh he pledged him- self to give $.500 to help build the new rhaJn•I. N•bru be cooled dyers a little he was sorry, and every Ume they'd hint at 14111 comUl' down with the cash had bark and till and put It uff for a spefl. When the laud company went up latest -tut theetonly happy one In town, 'mune he said hed lust all Las money. Course, under the clreunistances. they couldn't ask him to pay, so he didn't. Frons what 1 hear he lust as niucb as 3(..a" They both laughed. and Mrs. Snow was about tu.anser when she was lu- terrupt(sl. w' "ErIJ' old a weak voice. "Eri." The 'captain darted, turned sharply and sew tbe sick man watching hiw, his eyes feed and uuwaveriug. •'Erl,f' said John Baxter again, "come here' Mrs_ Snow hurried to her patient, but tare latter lmpatieotly bade her let blm ('tion('. "Not yea." ho said. "I want Eri." Calatabt Eri,stooped down beside the bed, "%ghat le It, John?" he asked. "Fele ,'pose (mud called you to break manf'l law and keep his, what would you do?„ The eaptaln glanced auxlouely at the hoithekaeper. Then he 911 voutblugly: "Oh, that's all right, John. Don't worry 'bout that. You uud me 'ettled Usnt Iwug ago. How are you teethe' 1 Ow? , "I know, I know," with the mouot- Ooous.perslstewee of those whose minds are waudering said then rkmrly ouce more, "Eri. I'm. been called." "Hsieh! Thait's ail right. Juba; that's all right. Dvo't you want Mrs. Snow t0 tix your pllett? Prays you'd lay • little easier, fern. Now, Mrs. Snow, 11 you'll Jest turn It while 1 Ilft bim. So; tMot't better now, ain't 1t, ship- mate, hey?" But the slck man muttered 'n unin- telllglble something, and relapsed once more Into the half doze, halt stupor that was his m'sunt *tate. Captain Eri mIghed In relief. "That was queer, w'a'n't It?" he ob- served. "He's had two or three of those .spells lu the It.t day or two," was the answer. The captain wondered what his frieud might twee said during thOSe "'pelts," but Ibe was afraid to Inquire. Instead he aske.1, "What did the doc- tor nay whelp ha wee here this morn - iter "Notbin' very hopeful. i asked him plain what bethought "file case, and he •nawered Jest ar platin. He said Cap's Baiter had failed dreadful In the last week., and that he wouldn't be s'prinel If leo drupp.rl off moot any time. Thera meant he said he might live for w.ert; is " "i never saw him go teatime afore," renneeutel tot tato isrl anxiously. "He wag Ko h at eight." 1 std F%sae see laltli'•'. "No, 1 wus a1 one here, and she was a.le., hr the 111 at room. I got up and "hut qthe 4444, The eaptaln t lamed keenly .t the huu"rkeeper, but iurr fare was placid and Ins('rutnble. Ile othinell uneasily, lan(l thi en ma • "143.le'. late tonight. ain't she? 1 wa eke what's keeptn' her." "School work, I e pose. Shea' weer►144' , Jenrder'a she oughts to,. 1 think." `r t. r l' The ti'ord was shouted, and the 4.0012 rang with It. Jubu Baxter. whew 1 wrukues'. had hitherto been eo great that he .'null not tura Lituvelf lu bd. was leaning ou 4111 elbow uud polutlug with outstretched Gager to the opeu stove dour. "Fire!" 4e shouter! ugalu. "it's blazlu'! lt'a burette! It's wlplu' tffn plague spot fruw the earth. l Iw*ti you, lord! I'm old, but 1 hear you. and your servaut's ready. Where will 1t be toworrer? (lou.'! Burut up! Aud the way* of the wicktel *haul prevail." They forced him back on the pillow. but he fought thew fiercely fur a wo- tueut or two. .after they thought they bad quieted him he broke out agate, talking rapidly awl clearly. "1 hear tbe cull, Lord," he said. "I thank thee for ,bowie It 10 we In your book. 'Aud they burnt all their cltlee wherein they dwelt, and, 1111 their good• ly castles, with fire.' With lire! With fire"' "Sr4-l! There, there, John! Don't talk so," eutreuted the raptaln. "Where's the keruvene?" continued toe uld wan. "And the amelias? Nue- softly, illy, 'fete ah:lvlu'r. 11". dark. Here, the curter. .lb. hu! Ab, ha! 'Aud all their goodly castles with lire!' Now, We Sauuders, you wicked watt! Now! Burn! I've done It, Lord! I've done It!" "Hush!" almost shouted the agonized Captain Eri. "lin-Ji, Jobe! Be atIli!" "There, there, ('''p'u Baxter." said Mrs. Snow soothingly. laving ber band ou ihr rick maws forehead. Somehow the touch vowel to quirt hew. Illi eyes lost their fire and he muttered elbsently that he we. ttrel. 'l'heu the eyes closed and be 1uy still breathing heavily. "Land of love!" exclaimed the cap - Min. "flat was awful Hadn't I tet• ter go for the doctor:" "I don't think eo. noires tie gits worse. Ile bad Jest such a turn. rat I told you, last night." "Did he talk like he did jest now?" ".legit ale same." "'Bout the same thin^+?' . The captain gasped. , "Then you knew!" he said. "That he set the billiard room •flee? Yes. I've always rather suspiciouel that he did, and last night, of course, made me sure of It." "Welt well! Von haven't said notb- In' '!.out It to auylody-?" "Of coulee. not." "Ni; comer you haven't. Yon mart even'(' iw--1'1u kind of up..e1. 1 gue•.A. their, dear! Did you think 1 knew It?" "I sort of gi weed that you did." "Well. 1 did. I've known 1t ever •suer that night be w•a' fouud. had his (oat on. w"hen I foetid hint, :aid 'twe all buret, and there w•4411 :w empty kerosene bottle In hi4 pts•ket. hid the colt and threw the bottle nw-ay and turned hint vo he war facet' toward the sateen 'stead of from It. And I lied when 1 hold the doctor that be wear jest sr he fell. There, the mur- der's nut! Now, what du you think of use?" "'I'h4dt? I think you did exactly right." 'Yum do?" ' "1 vartluly do." "Well. 1 snare! .i've been over that thing time ural time 4414.1.111. and I've felt like I was +ort of a firebug nip'.elf 'time.. I've Mont (alk. Iayhr' It to feat one. awl then the . 1hrr and cal - 'lathe that Web did It himself to git the 111suranoe. and all tin. time I've known who really did do It and haven't Kuhl anything. l Jr.t couldn't. You ser. John and meal been brother; uR lout. But 1 diQli t oepo.e anybody else W011141 Ser it the Paine way." "Coli a Erl, do you epos(' 1 blame your to tryiu' to keep your Is•st friend out of trouble that he got Into by lelli - well -out of lies Ileal. Why, laud of mercy: Ile ain't no more to hr held r•'!euuelhle than n baby. You did what 1'd have done If 1'd been to your pini(', nud 1 nopeet you for It." The captain's voice eked: at be 44n ewer:ri : "Marty Snow," hr Yield. "yetere the klud of woman that 1'd site to ',nee had for n sister." It war perhaps 1 half hour later ween Captain Eri started for the schoolhouse to bring Elate home. John Baxter had not wakcuel and Mr'.. Snow said she wa' oat afraid to re- main alone with Lim. Thr thaw had turned to n light ,.:In and the captain carried nn umbrella. It was dark by this time and when he came in sight of the icboolhotl.e he saw a light In the wlndaw. One of the swholnr.-a by no menns brilliant one, 11.11./4 1` principal elnea- tloual achievement war the ft•elnnm•y with which be rlleeerlel 111 being "kept niter school"-w'as seated on the fence, doing his het to whittle It to ple•ea with a dew jnekkelfe. "Hello. .oiny.e" said the 'raptaln. "Mies i'reston gone yet?" "No, she ain't." replied the boy. con- tioulug to whittle. "She's up there. Mr. Snunders In there too." "Saumler14? Web Sann(lern?" "Yup. 1 see hien go In there a little while ago." Captain Eri 'carted toward the .rboolhwuse at n rapid pace, then he suddenly stopped. and tben a..ndden- ly walked on again. All at ranee he dropped his nmhrclla and oarlock one. haul Into the palm .of tbe other with a smock. Y\'hru hr reached the door he Lennert the umbrella In the eornrr and walked up the mtnira very rnftly Indeed. ('T1.11'TEit XVI. iT 1'P enterprl'ing tontine*" man, (Ir, Wei Sninder14, opened the door of hl. reno- vated Dullard room n little later than 11511n1 the next morning. it w•a'. 00111111011 report about the village that fir. Soundera rsrnelonnlly rnm pleb the content• of roup(' of the "(orig- inal pnckngea" w'hb h, hearing the name and adobe.. of n Room' whole- sale liquor loader. entre to him by et- prrrs rat Irregular 'Merrill.. it wax also relrorted, prubnhly by unreliable total alettalnerv, that during them, "tempting" .easonr has temper Was not of the hest. The forenoon trade at the billiard room was never very lively, and this forenoon wan no exception At (half pant 11 the man of business was doz- ing In a chair by the store, and the "watchdog," •haring found It chilly outside ind 'maturing In. wa14 dozing near bars. The bell attached to the door rang vigaun lr. I nw'uke with n Start. . Captain Erl. Now, the ('443)1.1111 wino perlinp* the lust p• tom w'how the proprietor of the jllhIur 1 .cont expecte(' to NOV, but a etruug(•r uevrr would have viewed It 111 fuel, the Stra11Rrr might rea'oucbly have supposed that .the visitor way Mr. Wonkier,' dearest frlred uud that 111. call was a I.eu+ure lung poked for• ward to. "Why, esp'u!" exclaimed Web. "Bow are }'ou? Put her there! I'm glad lu see you luuklli su will. 1 mild to Squealer the other day, WI, 'Squealer, 1 &lever ser u eau hold his age like rutin fledge; I'll be blessed it he Woke a day over fort)',' I mays. Take off your coat, won't yeti?" Swa.Low or other. the captain must leave Inst algin of Web's extended Maud. Certainly the hand was l irgt enough to be gern, but he did nut take It. He did, however, accept We heel tution to remove Ms tenth uud. sllpplu( out of tbe faded browu pea Jueket threw 1t on a setter tit the slue of Ila new. 111. face was steru uud his wanner quiet. uud, lu '.lilts of Mr Sauiders' tiatterlug refen'uce to bli youthful appearance, this uorniug be looked at least more Mut a day past forty. 1.''11. If ('uptalu Eri was wore that moistly quirt and reserved, ',\'.'b w'a' unchanged, olid if he noticed that tin baudshnke war de'Itued bold uuthluj uhuut it. 111. ,wile way swet'tuesr it self as he observed: "Well, eaten eighty Inod'rute weather we're havint for this time of year, ulu't it? Wbut': new down your way? Time's right have a chair." The captain hod no doubt uuticlpatet this cordial luvitatiou, for le seat,,. himself before It wus given tine, cross lug his legs, extended his dripping rub ber louts toward the bre. The rail sur '*till falling, and It beat *genie the windows of the saloon lu gusts. "Web," said ('aptatu Ere "set Jowl a minute. 1 went to till• to you." "Why, sure!" excluiwtrl the genic 111:111 of buslteas, pulling up unothel chair. "Have a cigar, won't you? Tot duel ewe to owe lilt very often, ant 1 terra though we r Liu Lt to celebrate Ha, ha, ha!" "No, 1 guess not, thank you," was th. an'wer. "1'11 smoke wig pipe, If It': all the same to you." Mr. Sauiidcr' didn't mind In the least but thought be would have a eiga. biw.elf. So he lit one mod smoked it silence us the (•mettle lillel leg pole Web knew that !Lir wag nuuiethiu) wore than an nrdinary '.Octal %lilt Captalu Eri's calla at the billiard roust were Iere and far be'tweru. The cap tale, fur his part, anew- what Dia cow punlou sus thlnWug, and the pall watt -lied ea»Ii other through the'.moke The pipe drew well, and the captall sent it blue cloud whirling toward fl. ceiling. 'Then he- looked suddenly "Web, boar touch money has Elie. Preston poid you altogetber?" Mr. Saunders started the least bit - and his small eyes narrowed u trifle But the innoeeut %urwrise In his re ply was 11 treat to heal'. "Engle'! fall me?' be asked. "Yarn. flow nitwit has She paid you:'' •'I don't know what you mean." "Ye., you do. Sir'a been payee pot 11110tir reg'ler for newton a month. want to know how' much it in." "Now, repel Hedge, i don't knoe what you're talkers' about Nobody'1 pall 1ue a cont except them that's owed me. Who did you say? Elsie Preston? That's the sehooltencher, ain't it?" "Web. you're a liar, and always was. bnt you oeeltet 11e to.3110 this noniln' 'cause it won't be healthy. I don't (eel like bearin' It. Yuu understnud that, do you?' Mr. Saunders thought it time to bine- ter a little. Ile rove to his feet threat- eningly. "Cali 11 Hedge," he said, "uo man '11 call me a liar." "There's a precious few that calls you anything else. "You're an old man, or I'd" - "Never you mind how old I am. A adnate ago you said i didn't look more'n forty; maybe 1 don't feel any older either." "If that 1'reston girl has told you any" - "She hasn't told me anything. She doesn't know that I know anything. But I do know. I was lu the entry upstairs at the ac•hool1unse for about ten minutes last night." Mr. Saunders' start was perceptlblo this time. Ile stood for a wuweut without speaking. Then be Jerked the chair nround. threw himself luso 1t, and 'laid cautiously, "Well, what of It c" "I cove up from the hotlee to git Elsie home 'cause 'twat raiuln'. 1 wag told you was with her, and 1 thought there was sotnetbiu' crooked gold' on: fact 1s, I had a .umpic3on what 'twilit. So when I got up to the door I didn't go in right away. I Jest stood outside.' "Llatenlu', bey! Spyin"" "Yup. I don't think magi of folks that Hoene, glli rally sp•'akln', but there's times elm: 1 L'lieve In It. Wbeu I'm foolln' with a 'wake I'd Jest l as soon hit him from behqud ns to front. I didn't hear mush, hit 1 !heard enough to let me know that you'd been tattle' motley from that girl right along. And I think I know why." "You do, hey?" •YUp•" Then Mr. Saunders naked the ques- tion that n bigger rumen! than be had malted surae years before. He leaned Loci' lu Dig chair. took a pull at lila cigar and said sneeringly, "Well, what are you goiu' to do 'Trout It?" tI'm gu341' to stop 1t, and I'm goln' to make you ghee the money back, !tow mewl, 114414 she paid you i" "None of your buteness." The captain rose to hi14 feet. Mr, Saunders .pning up also and reached for the coal .bore! erelently expect - Ing trouble. Rat If he feared a pliysle. al a.14alllt hlm fear was grOundleoto Captain Er1 merely took up his coat. "Maybe it ain't none of my bus'nt's.," he said. "1 nine a i lechnan nor sheriff. But there's inch thing'. 111 town, and p'repn they'll be Int'renle.l. Seems to me that I've henrd that binek- mt111a' has got folks into stnte'14 prison •fore now." "1. that so? Never heard that ((Aka that set Ire to other people's prori'f7 Rot there, did you? Yes, and folks that helps 'em glta then, tae, some- times. Who was It hid a cost a spell age?" 1 the man elector was t, was Captain Eri's tato t0 start Ile hesitated a moment. tossed the pea Judet back ou the settee uud pat down mice snore. Mr. Sauuderr watched his, grinning trlumphaotly. "Well:'" Le said with a sneer. "A coat, you .ay?" "Yea, a coat. Maybe you kuow who hid It. 1 can guess, myself. That coat wan burned BOule. How do you a'pose 1t got burned? Aud, say, who used to wear a big white bat round there dlggiu's? Ab, bu! Vehu did?" There was no doubt about the cap- tain's start this time. He wheeled sharply lu bis chair and looked at the apeuker, " humph!" be exclaimed. "Ton foiled that hat, dld you?" 'lint'. what 1 done! And where do sou think I famed 1(7 Why, right at ••1'o roan '33 cell me a liar.' the bark of my shed, where the fire started. .\nd• there'd beeu a pile of 14lutviu's there, too, and there'd been kerow'ue gin 'em. Who sntnehed the bottle over to the field, hey?" Captain Eri seemed to be thinking. Web evidently set his owu Interpreta- tion on this silence, for he went ow, raising hle vpl u* he dad go: "DI4 you TIutk 1 was foul enough not to know who'.set that fire? I knew the night .hr burned, and when I net Dr. Palmer' Jest comin' from your bonne and he told le how old Batter was took slit coin' to the err --oh, yes. golti -I went up Liu that b113 right oft bud I touted and I found things, awl what 1 found 1 kept. And what I found when 1 pulled that burued shed to pieces I kept tip. And Fee got 'ew yit!" "You have, hey? Dear, 'clear!" "You bet I have! Aud somebody's glib to paw for 'em. Goa l' to pal, pay', pay! Is that plain?" The captain wade no nusv'er. He thrust his hands Into his pockets' and looked 'at the store dolefully, iso It merino -el to the man of bushiest. "rust oft I thought I'd have the, old gess Jutted," continued Mr. Saunde,; 'Then, thinks I. 'No, that won't p me for my bulldin' and my intent, hurt -and all that.' So i wafted for Baxter to tit well, meanie' to mak•' him, pay or go to the Jug. But he stayed sick n -purpose, I Where, the mean, white beaded. psalm alright' "-- Captain Erl moved uneasily and broke In, "You gat your Inaira0, c• money, didn't you?" "Yes, I did, but whose fault is that : 'Twa'n't his, nor any other darned 'Come Outer's.' It don't pay me for my trouble, nor It don't make • me square with the gang. I gen'rally git ecru some time or 'uother, and I'll gib square now. When that girl come here swelllu' round and putts' au airs. I see my chance, and told ber to pay up or her granddad would be shoved Into Ostal,le Jall. That give her the Jumps; I u!" "tellYouyowrote her a letter, didn't yon?" 'Yuu bet I did! Sbe come round to see we In ■ hurry. Said abs didn't have no money. I told her Ler grand- dad did, and she could get that or go to work and earn some. I guess she thought she'd rather work. Oh, I've got ber and her prayln', house burnin' grumbled where I want 'em, aid i've got you, ten, Eri Hedge, stickle' your oar in. Talk to we 'bout blackmail' For 2 Ceuta I'd Jell the old man and yon too"' Tbls wan the Sea! Mr. Saunders. He usually kept this Bide of his uatur0 for home use. His wife was well acquaint ed with i1. Captain Eri WA evidently frigbte:, ed. Hi. manner had become almost apologetie. "Well," be said, "1 wouldn't do that If I wax you, Web. I heard you tell Elsie lad night the wa'n't payle' you enough, nud I thought" - "1 know ,what you thought. You thought you could scare Me. You did not know I had the coat and hat, did you? Well, what I said I stand by. The girl ain't payln' me enough. Four- teen dollars a week elle glts. an' /he's only been git•In' up ten. I want more. I want" --- But here Captain Erl lnterrupte i him. "I guess that'll do." he said calmly. `You've told me what I wanted to tenor. 'fan dollen a week Bence Ow m1ddl4 of November -'lout 3(70, rough Iggertn'. Now, then, band It over." "11'liat?" "Heed orer that 3(70." "What err put t*lhin"'bent?' Tie. captain rose .Rd, lesulog over. shook his forefinger In Mr, Saunders' enb6y red face. "Yon low lived, thlevin' Tencel,' he geld, "I'm glrin' yon , a chance you don't deaervc. Etcher you'll pity me that nine(•► you're stole from that girl or i'll walk out of that door, and when I come ill again the sheriff 'II be with ate. Now, wbich'll It be? Wilk quick." Wet,'s triumphant rkpresslon was gone, and rage nud notice had taken Its pine('. iie waw lion' (Mat the raptaln 1 had tricked him luta telling more than he ought, but he bunt out agate, trip- ping over words In his eseltement. 'Think!' b• yelled, "I don't need to think. Tiring In your sheriff. i'll mores down to your honer. and 1'11 show hint the man that set Ire to my bulldin'. \\'llat'll you and that 'Myelin' grand- daughter of his do then? Yon make off to think a tnrrlhle Int of the old prayer maehlne'ramie he's your chum. Hnw'd you like to see him took up for a Ire - bug! hey r' "I ain't sfreld of that " `You alai? Yon ain't! Why not?" "'Goes Iles ma* when you can't get at blm.t Hi died jest 'fort e aft the buuse." Mr. Saunders' braudLbed art fell Metall), on the urs of hid elnair. face turned white in patches and teen gutted red ugulu. "Died!" he gasped. "Y-ou -you're a Ilam "Nu, 1 utu't. John Beazter're dead. He was a chum of wine-- rr right there -and If 1'd L•uwa • susak hk„ you wu after him I'd have Dieu here long afore this. Why, you" - The captain's voice .beak, but he re- atrulned blwselt sod went 044. "7'uw', you 're where you stand, dou't you? lung's Jubu lived you had the proof to convict LIm. 1'11 uwa up to that much. I bid the coat; I 11:a41. .d the bottle. The hat 1 didu't 14uuw 'bout. I wlgbt have told you at fu'4 that all that didn't amuuut to :tee- thing. but 1 thought 1'd wait and let you tell me what wore 1 wetted to know. John Buster's guile, pour !elle', and all your pruuC uln't worth a (*Put -not one red cent. Uuderrtautir It was quite evldeut that Mr. Battu deredid underataud, for her culla truant* showed It. But the bluster wan 1101 out w yet "All right,of" 14. hebald. "Anyhow, the girl's left, and If she don't pay !'II show her granddad up for what he was. Aud I'll *bow you up too. Y'rs, I will!" be sheeted as this possitents began to dawn ou Llw. "1'11 let tura. ► uuw how you bed that coat noel -and all the rest of It." "No, you won't" "Wby'won't I?" • 'Canso you won't dare to. Von've beeu hlttlu' at a slot man through • girl. Neltber of 'em could, hit Luck. But now you're dole' bue'nena with me, and I ain't sick. 1f you open your mouth to anybody -if you let • soul htow who set that tiro -I'll walk straight to Jedge Baker and 1"11 tell Mai the whore story. 1"II tell Low what 1 did and why 1 did it. And then 1'11 tell him what your did -bow you hulked money out of that girl that hadn't no more to do with the tin than a buoy. If It comes to facia' a Jury I'll take my chances, but how 'bout you? You, amnio' • town nuisance that the s'lect- meu are ta1k111' of stopple' alre.dy;, p*4 u' rum the 11LL• ('ease nays It by shandrink't be .010 14.1. 'contyour b the bottle. Where'll your character land yelp a charge of blackmail? "And another thing Toe (elks ill Ws town knew John Baxter •tore he was like what he's been lately. .t good many of 'em swore by him yes, Mr, by mighty, some of 'em love,! hiw This Is a law abldfn' town, but ,'pose jest ,'pose I should go to some cf the fellers that used to sell with bfm and tell 'em what you've been up to. 'I'htuk you'd stay here long? I think you .1 move out -on a rail." Captain Eri paused and sat 00 the arm of his chair, grimly watching hu opponent, whose tura for tbtnkli g had route. The face of the billiard mai: nate was ad interesting study in .•a pression during the captain's spr. . From ezclted trlumpb 1t had fallen fear and dejection, and now, um ..t the wreck, was appearing ono a rn.o. to the oily smile, the augured s* 'ti.,-. of the everyday Mr. Saunders. "Now, t'ap'e Hedge," purred the r.• strueted one, "you and we hat at ways beeu good friends. We 11*du t ought to *17141 like this. I don't thete either of us wants to go to court. Lel see If we can't fix the thing up 6o,i1P Way..' "Ws Il az 1t up when you pay Inc the $ 70. "Now, Cap'n Hedge, 'tatot likely I've got $7('44 In my pocket. Seems to me you're pretty hard on a poor fellow that's Just been burnt out. 1 thh.k we'd ought to" -- "How wu-b have you got?" After a good deal of talk and pro, eetattoo Mr. Saunders ackuoe ledge 1 beteg the possessor of $20, divided lie tweeu the comb drawer and hos puck.+ This he reluctantly banded to the cup tale. Then the captain demanded pen, lel and paper, ■nd whe+n they were brought he laboriously 'wrote uut . creed to the effect, that Web,?.: Saunders had received of Elate Preston 3(44, which .um he promlaed to pay Liu demand. "There," be said, pushing the writ- ing materials across the table. "Sign - that." At first Mr. Saunders positively, re- fused to sign. Then be Intimated thaitl he had ratber waft and thick It over little while. Finally he affixed his nig nature and spitefully threw aha pea across the room. Captain Eri folded up the paper mud put It In his pocket. Then he ruse and put on his pea Jacket. "Now, there's jest one thing more," he said. "'Prot out that coat and hat." "What do you mean?" "Trot out that coat and hat of Jobu's. 1 want 'em." "I shan't do It." "All right, then. It's all off. I'll step over and see the jedge. You'll bear from him and me later." "Hold on a minute, cap'n. You're In Snell a everlastln hurry. i dou't care anything 'bout the old duds. but I don't know's L know wbere they Ire Seems to me they're up to the (house somewhere,. ['ll give 'em to you to- morrer." "You'll give 'em to me right now I'll tend 'bop while you go after 'em " For a moment It looked as though the man of huminess would rebel out right. But the captain was so (-aim and evidently so determined to do ex- actly what be promised that Web gave up In despair. Muttering that maybe they were "round the place after all," be went Into the hack room Lid reap peered with the burned eoat and the searched wklte felt bat. SlammlfI them down on the counter, he said sulkily: 'There they be. Any more of my prop'ty you'd like to have?" Captain Erl didn't answer. Coolly tem fine off I sheets of wrapping paper from the roll at the bark of the reenter, he made a bundle of he hat and (oat'nd tuokel It under his arm. Then be put on hie own bit and start- ed for the door. "flood moraine" he said. The temper of the exasperated 1tr. launders dared up In a !Inas outburst. "You think you're almighty 'mart, don't you?" he growled between kis teeth. "i'II *quer* up with you by and by." The captain turned sharply, hes band en the latch. "I wish yoo'd try," he geld. "I fest lCostIneea en rage.