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HomeMy WebLinkAboutExeter Advocate, 1908-05-21, Page 6• •t 1 pri t 0+ICI+O+,:,+:Q4.0+(+O+0+0+tA+ CIIAPTEiI X1. ---(Continued). In the days that 1 lkawed my mind was full, engrossed by recollections of her charm and Leerily. Like every o her man, 1 had had, before my blind- ness, one or eve minor affairs ut the heart, but never before. halt 1 expel... erired the grand p as inn. 'true. I had when at *Mega believed myself hope• ks,ly in love w!Ut the daughter of a pastry -conk, and later on, while still tet Oxford, hail f•,uud iny ill -formed ideal in a neat young lady in black, who served at the ribbon -counter of a draper's 111 ('"urge Street. 1 had, ire deed, admired several other women of various nese and var(ous stations, but P"114• had ever approached in gree,e,_ beauty, or refinement the woman whir had so suddenly come ink) Hey life, and eo quickly gone out of it. Sleeping or walking, my thoughts were newly:; of her. A finest every word of her (eonvetsaticn had beoorne riveted upon my memory as upon the cylin- der of a plrunogruph, and as 1 sat alone to toy dingy roots moodily smoking my pet briar, 1 would delight in reflecting upon her calm, philosophical theories, and seemed to hear the ntuaicat cadence of her well -remembered voice a9 plain- ly as thou!' she were at my side. Yes. I openly conies... that 7, whet el later stems determined to remain a bachelor, was deeply in love with her. indeed, for the time, 1 actually forget the grim shadow of evil which had in my blindness fallen upon me. Hither and thither In the great world el London i went with my eyes ever open in eagerness to catch a glimpse of her. 1 lounged in the Il'.e,w at the lash onable hour; went to the opens, and swept loxes and stalls with my glasses; and strolled about Regent Street, Ox - fent Street, and high Street, Kensing- ton, in the vicinity of those great drapery emperiurre so dear alike to the femin- ine heart and to the male pocket. Fur ter days or so 1 spent greater part of my time in searching for her slim. erect figure among the bustling London crowds. 1 knew her address, it was true, but nye acgttaintanoe was not suf. (leen( to warrant a call, therefore I was c+etnpelled to seek a chance encounter. All, however, was in vain. 1 had firmly resolved to lake no hood of the Celonets extraordinary premonition, and laughed at his dehorta(ory sugges- tion.,; for 1 meant at all costq to sleet her again. One day I suddenly recol- )ccled that in conversation rs. Anson had mentioned that her daughter was a student at the Royal Academy or Music. I( so, then she would undoubt- edly go there mune on eerlain days to take her lesson.. Ry carefully watch- ing 1 might, I though!, )poet her as if by a •cident. So 1 at once mot to work to make inquiries, and discovered through lipping cne of the hall -porters of the institution that Miss Anson carne there every Tuesday and Friday at two o clock in the afternoon. The next day chanced to ler Tuesday, therefore 1 went to Hanover Square and waited for her at the corner of Tentetden Street. A.. 1 walrlud I saw quite a number of aruart-looking lady student pass into tho institution, but, although 1 renamed on the alert for nearly two hours, site di.l not conte, and at length i was com- pelled 111 return hong wearied, mimic- eessful, and dispirited. That night. however. it blow- fell up oe me An incident tvhach 1 had constant- ly drentice occurred. fur by the lost post was delivered one of these strange type- written itten nUIII4Itles from the uukrate u. The envelope %vas it blue -grey ono. such as lawyers use, and Ili.' pos./ murk sh used that It had been despatched from the 1oiii ar.1 Street olllce. in the City. 1 tore it open iIr lenr and trepi- duhon, and glanced al the flew even Illhow lines it conhtirled. The lines 1 read were signad by the w-4ar1 ":\vel." traced with a heavy hand In rough (Ionian cnpitutt, and erre as fhlkiws: - ' l'o-iisirrow, the fourt.enllt of Octe- t • r. enter the Park at Grosvenor Gale at four o clock. and wait of the Mini aF•:011 on tlw' path which loads to the lend -stand." i stud silent. with the mysterious missiles in my hand. S. mM secret ser- t'lt Was evidently required of Inc. The shadnw of that fateful night had again fuller), crushing me beneath ile weight Of mystery rind crimp'. 1 !height of 1114• 1inknown •l•:4188. and picture! her in (v-n!lrnrieort with Mabel. In my ltelplcs'.- mei .I had be. 01110 an unwilling tool In the hand. of Ilse' teaser, and rem 1 hated and (esppies.' her. 'ft's galling acrvitn.h' which she lad in,,'s401 Egon The under 1/41111 !ly of death was duality irksome new That 1 level; yet so eny+- Ierious and tragic were all the circum. slepses That 1 fared k) break the bond Mal I had given. In onthiary circrmslanr('s 1 think 1 shout•! have Lens eager tee 01 eye Iles meld n deatan ( to gees 14, the fail nn the t-.li e.',og (lay. 'flier.• was n derelict tie- . f :e llenlure in the 1J,p•oinlreenf. and.. nee!• 1.. eaten, le, nut -tor). sur. reuniting leers. I saw Ili .1 the 11!4 tit- in: nt glut fireielt nt•` n:th .oar(' clue. itut 1 rt'' :t'•t•.l \141 1. n'1 sesetnesv and musty. and Bate! it :all. I:dtta had declare( that she her.s.'If tend 0)1 the and<1,.,.ilts "\vel." yet ( had no rea- son 1 • d'sh 1 ••t0 her stat. stent. To me Il s +•nldet{ n, th •ugh she were acting Under insh'!lclken•d which had for their oljecl lir pries a :stun of the secret of the midnight rump. \\'hoe was the young man who had fl''len viclem! ills identity puzzle! este reaye until the preterm herd t'e 'time see Perplexing as fo drive me to de- al -air. Allhorieh lisle after t n(' 1 had Near bed the n••wsptpsr'. 1 had fecund 710 4 r4' answering to his description men'iento) :y in Ase.,'. led had et stem. ly been de.n•e In ecast ane his body dis- +0++0+01010+0+0+0+010+040+04-0+ +0+0♦ +0+10+0+0 + 4 A House of Mystery OR, TME GIRL iN BLUE k C +0+0+0+*+G+*+Q+0+bolsi h Ives d of without a single ingiery, wlti'o the creme had been cuucoakd welt an ingenuity which appellee rhe. Meght 1, myst I1, not fall victim In a similar manner it 1 refired lo 4 bey these strange ,landales of an tinkle wit hund? 'thee° thoughts were Uto reverse of • rerreauang, for even it 1 went to the la,lice they would be unable to assist ale. A ii. teethe night keep the appo.nt- menl in the !'ark, but i1 was cerosin on seeing a stranger in tho vicinity the polars intended to meet me would give tum a very wade berth. That i:ot (night 1 lay awake through many, heirs calmly revi wing the whole situatain. 011 the last occasion when 1 hud obeyed rho order of my mysteri- ous correspondent -sent undoubtedly at Eelries inwligal oil --I had proflk'd con- t derably. Was the present order for geoid er for evil? Natural y, I had always bo -n fond of adventure, for 1 catue of a fantily of triton. But the gru.stnw incidents of that single night when I had wandered atone in London had utterly unnerved me. 1 had become so surrounded by mystery that each effort of mino to elu- c`dato it caused me to s.lnk steeper and deeper into the complex quagmire of uncertainty. Perhaps Edna frerse't desired to speak with me now that I could see. This suggestion took 1:o sessbn of ate, and next morning 1 was anxious and inter- ested in the nrppoinlment. S:'o:t after three 1 tuok an omnibus from the Strand to the corner of Park 1 ane, and on tho s`.ruk.e of four entered the Park at Gros. v. nor Gate and glanced eagerly around. :N4. one was 111 the t'icentty save one oe Iwo loungers of the "unemployed' typo an d two or three nur_senralds with children. Without difficulty 1 soon fouhd tt:o scat indicated, and sat down to wait. It was a pleasant spot beneath a large chestnut tree, quiet and more secluded than any of the others. Evi- dently my a rrespondant knew the Park well. 1 lit a cigarette and pos_scsscd myself in patience. After senile five minutes or so a female figure en'ered the gate and approached in my direiion. 11 was that of an elderly woman of rather com- mon type, and as she came straight t .wards 111e i awaited her with some cur:osily, but she paes d me by with- out a look, and continued on her way. Then 1 knew that she was not the per- son who intended to sleet mc, and laughed within myself. My -position was one of curiosity, sit- ting there prepared to meet some per- s'.n unknown. We have all of us, at one time or another, sat awaiting per - scrag uo have never lefore seen, and w.' have invariably t eund mental pie - tar's of their nppenrance utterly dif- ferent from their real aspect. It was so with me at that moment. I felt ruy- tel! sitting there in full J:osscrslon ct my sight, and yet on the threshold of seme disio.vrey which might, if 1 were sufficiently shrewd, lend to tho solu- tion of the problem which iiad for so long held ire in terrible anxiety and ,usren-e. Whomsoever 1 incl, be i1 num or woman, tt:ey must give me se.tne cine' to lb. id,•ntl y of those into w li se bondage 1 had fool slily entered. Th.. afternoon was warm and bright, f n' stall (Mohr to London wa'a unusu- ally hot, and as the leaves had not yet c'.mnleneed to tall, the great chcs'nul.s brew n veteran* shade. The Park 'coked a lrif:e duly, as it al v: ys does with 111e worms of slimmer, nevertheless the light -blue Fky, the golden sunlight, and the welt rustle of the foliage (•ora- le n d et tender it a pleasant retreat ar- ea. the uueea;img w•h`.rt of traffic in ttte great th0reeueeerries around. The air ens (Usenet y fresher there Ihnn on the grim gldorn cd grimy Essex Street, bud 1 eat waiting and wondering for half an hour er so, watching narrowly all who chanceed to approach. until i be- gan t) suspect that for '. m.' yeas •n or other t1:o appointment evade not be kept, A glance at my watch Meowed it to he altra ly twenty minute-) to five. My episomes Was exhausted, and 1 felt an- noyed I hat 1 should 1.4. Ihos brought there on n purposeless errand. Of 0114' 1111111 tvho had p:Ls'ed, •1 (lnik-faced, ill- dre•.w`(} longer, 1 had had may mime. ons. 11e lad idl.t !inst. feigning to take nee ttoli •e of toy preaenc•', ,i t I saw that he ryas covertly w'nlcli ng ane. Perhaps he bad leen sent to wee wh'- ll.ere 1 had Imine They' mon.', I wailed and waited. but in vain. The sf►!tdow•s had Itngthened, the sun was .inking! !chind the he:s in Ken- .sire:teen Gardens, rind at length i cast away the end of toy last remaining cig- arette zeal roue to depnrl. I'er lanes mane unlowael incident "bad occurrr:l. and 1 should receive a further (mnmuncation trent nay unknown correepondcnl. J had. nt East. car ried cut my part of Ile. compact, and was themfone gni, 5, I took my stick and tel forth townnl+ cress., nor Gate at a brisk pace, for 1 was reed of wailing. an•l my limbs W4•1e cram.red by my king tied Ituiteea v g;- 11. 1 had n'meot reached the gale leading nal to Park Lane when of a sudden, at n slat p }wend 4,1 the path, a dark figure 14 untied up befole ole. In an instant i drew up q.v.-hese. aghas', amaze I. Tte ntysteiy was ate tear:lel). dumefnuui ling. ('il\Inlet XII. The figure I efoe. me was that of a w- snare calm, este st-faced, her ceenn• 1. nnncc render d piquant by its expres- si4m eel surpr.e. 11 vas tit sic ether than Male'. .1n -en. ,n a light -tilling tail Jr -made goon o1 seen' dark cloth. nmol n neat Were. Aire I(tcriceel dun lied ntt.I alto. g Iter eharn►:ng. The slight severity of attire became her well, for 11 showed rex marvellous figure to pert.rt un, while the dash of lei In her hat gate the tnecessar•y touch .1 color to a)ntpletc a tasteful effect. lt•r coun'enana wae e enealed by the thinnest et gauze '-. Is, and u+ she held forth her well- gleveat hand with an expre-eons of plea- sure at the tulexpcckd nieethig, her bungles jingle! musically. "!'his is rushed u tnest p'. tsar,( sur- pass, Alis ,\n- ;n," 1 said, when 1 re- o.ver(.1 at}:eectl, for .so sudden had been our enoutmk'r that in the moment of n:y rietenislunent my tonguo refused to utesr n sound. "And to ice also,' she laughed. "I've been wonder ng and wondering when we should sleet again," 1 blurt- ed forth. "1'm► so very glad to see you,'. For the first few moments after she had allowed her tiny bund to real for an instant in mend we exchanged aur vt'ntonalitcs, and then suddenly, net - lug a roll of :nude in her hand, 1 ask- ed - "Aro you geeing home?" "Yes, nous.; ttie !'ark," she laughed. "Mother forbids It, but 1 much •prefer the Perk to those stuffy omnibuses.' "And you've leen to your music, 1 suppose! 1 inquired. "Yes. I've not been well for tho East tow days, and have noosed several les- sens. Now, like a gd od pupil, '111 en- deavoring to mak' them up, you know." And sho laughed merrily. "How nearly times a week do you go 10 the Aca.:eery?" 1 asked, Surprised that she should have gone there ihol rely, after what leo hall -porter had told me "'Twice, 119 a genera) rule," she te- runrkedl; "but just now I'm rather regular.' And so you prefer to cross the Park rather Than ride by omnibus?" "Certainly. Mother doesn't approve of girls riding on the tops of 'bins, and says it's fast. '!'herefore I'd much rather week, for at this hour half Lon- don scents to le going from Piccadilly Circus to ilanhersrnith. 1 go right ncrose. past the Serpentine, through Kensington Garden, to the !:road Walk. rind out by the small gate next th • Palace Hotel," site added, with a sweep of her gloved hand. Her eyes were love'y. As she stood there In tho fading sunlight she seemed Ile fairest vision 1 had ever seen. l stood spell -bound by her marvellous beauty. "And may 1 not act as your escort on your walk lo -day?" 1 asked. "Certainly. 1 have no object on, she answered with grnceful dignity, there- fore 1 turned and walked beside her, carrying tier nurs'c. We took Ike road which lends straight nwny to Iho Magazine, and crosses the Serpentine beyond. There in the yel- low glow of Ute October sun=ot 1 loung- ed at her side and drank my Illl of her loveliness. Surely, 1 thought, there could bo no more beautiful woman in all the world. The Colonel's strange warning recurred to me, but 1 laughed it to scorn. As we pas..ed beneath the rustling trees the sum's last rays lit tip her beau- tiful face with a light that seemed eth- ereal and tipped her hair until there seemed a golden halo about her. 1 was no love-sick youth, le it remembered. Lul a man who had a bilker experience of the world and i1'. suffering. Yet at that hour I was faseinated by the grnee of her superb carriage, the sup- pleness of her figure, the charts of her sweet smile, and the s•eft music of her voice ns eke chatted bo nee. Site told me of her htv.' for music. arid frim the character of the pieces which formed her studies 1 knew Ilial she moa be a ines'ci:m of a tJo mean order. The op•crat c melody which she had sung rib Ill,. t; ,'on4J's was, site do- c:ored, 11 mere trills. We r sars-cd the works of Rossini mrd \Ines('nt, of Mem- tier and Men•telss •lino anti of \'cell Puccini. \lascogni, Peres', and such Int kr-day composers. I had strays pride e. myself That 1 knew et:no hing of music, brit her knowledge was far deep- er than nse. (To be Continued.) His Last Ship r':ri:fain Norm., bung.l idly on the \'rilpnraso Quays. Ile wailed in hope that lolly reepinlntance would heave ut sight--soote captain or first ur sec - end oflicer who would be good for a drink -or neer (}ark even, he would ac- cept the ha9pitnlily of a Irian before the mast. or n te):ew'ard. II;s thirst had ever -lowered his wn.•e of Ore dignity (.! a man who had 0 snuuand(d mine tcrless 're(' -4 on .the Legh seas. A►ul now tines. wee particularly hard. After the c,Ls'en of the Antn.ar with the Name I:a'I, which enteral a paralyz- ing melee of perjury nt ih•t Rnanl of erado inq:+ r'.. re Captain's cerLhcale had 1 eenrr•:,• n 'el for a year. AR the 4 ml r)1 lire 'tame. n wits shipowner, kneewing !lull ('rtil'atn Norris woe •n Zine 4:ai',01' and (0111(1 bo get cheaply, hail given hint another chance. lint the s'hipowrvr's agent in Valparaiso. on finding that the Captain had never ieen sears during the voyage cul, had calx• ler! to 1.iterp.tol and had him discharge 1 �So new Captain N••rrils was wfhntrt a ship. er the prresi:eet of :1 shlp, «'Ith- eul friends. welt Jut inoses. slrartd•,l d n Valparaiso Quay. Sueklenly :t gill elan '•trolled past and ginned casually al him. "C.opinin Nen (•s, 1 declare, ain't it?' felt (he slrnng.er, but I sett ►ort it name to you, I:runh'd the (:attain. "That A E0 account-oatne and epi a drink. Caplotn.". Captain Norris emelt have gone any - whole with Anybody for a drink :.R that m moist, so he eagerly necepteil the in• 1'1111'011. The tern:leer lel flim. n'•1 to a line, lie to nn office at n steal eielnnre from the quay. A glance at the (1rr)rplat(• $:4 peered the ('ni+Iain that it tees the ( flice of Stevens & Te.arn, Shfwiwnera. "Devil le hail:war?. Captain," said the etrnnger a.s the (:af(inin rand nt 'he dnnr. ''shores plenty .•1 1wgtlor 1:('11,. • ilIreclly they na re in Isle office the stranger produoed a bottle of whisker rind glasses bon a cupboaitl and olid: "N.,w, (:e}I:ain, boli, yourself,' Nurr,,s swal:ow.-11 a glass of whiskey 1.1 a gulp. and then held out iris glass to be reeled. "I wanted thae dr,nk badly," tie said simply. "Much as you like, Caper:rt --jest get )mune!/ (settled, curd the well talk Eeriness." The .s.'c ntd glass made (-eptain Neves heel hnneell aga.n. Ile waket al the slrar►ger and .aid: "You'll be Mr. Steven:, 1 stgep►e,re•"' The lull man seethed. wli t tib yew want wits► me! "I n4.k hyar, (:aptuin, 1 want to bulk straight to you. l'ou'se right up ahoinsi it. !.rail yon( ship, laet your (eptearem. Ikt wu think there.. a shtet wrier err the \fast Coast who'd tr•usl you with a ve.-.s.e "Lits, me t.oun %s teaks), and tell me srlmeteing beet) ' grout'.! 11x. (uJdnin. "Welt, you're right up against i4- you can't gel, a berth-- you're dyutg for the drink, ant you Can't got !ilea'. Fee an 1 know you vo folk dependent on you sone terere." The Captain wriggled as he lisid't ed rr Ihs sea•tenn'. ile thought of hits wife and three children at I'oyrlar. and wandered what she 11001104 wh'..n she heard ik'.m the inehere that he had (teen discharged and (!tut. she cet►kl no ketger draw againvt his pay. "Now, 1 can give you a chance -the command (.l t1 siafp. tind ae notch drink at; you lilac t;hipped aboard, for i e. drunker you ore lite trotter it will suit me." "What's the game?' thundered Ner- ri', eslanuning Itis tint down on the table. 'Thenvs a (:hip if onus lending at the jetty. Gould eau tae her to Maronai- " l'hcre ain't a shit failing that 1 ctoulill►'t take CapIiuit. "Tl1e.l:s what I !height," said fife. Stevens; "tsise some there n-ItisJpry, Cap- Iaun?'' "As stare as you like-• it ntakett me feel a num again.': "\\'ell, this particular vessel Lert't «hat you might cell a profitable speculation. Captain. She's oft and crard,y, anti won't last ninny voyages more. Already Iles twderwritoi:'s are emiling at her. So 1 UOtuggbt that you, tering a fliereclass seaman with a likeig fir tiainic, migl►1., while you were on tiro beet, pile Ute ship np on Alarmedly' R:u:' "heavens!' cried the (:'►penin; "she what drink brings a mon CO. Last night 1 cadged drinks from a steward, and le -day a dernet Yankee asks me to bee Illy first ship." '!'tae slripcwner new. quickly from his seryl. "flyer, (:•!plain. 1f you can god a ves- sel from any other firm. go and get It; hest take core how you lank r►ho>at thus 'flrnt. My, partner's a $puu►inr.t, end leuchy---lie might eve you earl a bowie lir your back. '!'hough, after all, What you idly won't 1)c of much ao count. Who'd take any notice of the ravings cf a drunken. discharged ooplain?.' Captain Norris glared at Stevens. '1 skdiet say 1 wouldn't do yoar dirty work. Only it ain't pleasant for a man to know tiow low hes got., lint mint yore if 1 epee to sell thyself 1 want my price. \\'hat :s it mean 10 axe if 1 pile this vessel up -the loss of my cer- liftcnlo. Never will 1 command a ship again. \Vhats It mean to you The full value of a rot:.'n ship and ell you can get from a faked cargo. 1 know you wreckers' dodges. 1111 be len er twenty thousand pounds in your pock- ets. Now, it's money down L want. 1 fancy myself coming to you when Ute jolts done for my pay and gelling kick - de out of Ibis ol11'4' ns n dernedl black- mailer, (live me flue hundred pounds deems, and I'll sculls. htr or pike her up, or db what you w'.sh with your rot• lot ship.' "It's a lot of money." said the ship- owner. ahaking Ills head. "Five years ago fd have laid an ratan out who offered ►ne fifty thousand pounds to sink any ship 1 connnnndel.' "We might arrongc for you to have half the (1011(85 in advance and luilf when the jobs dune." "That's .s like off -ring mo half my price. Nee if I risk iny certiecatc rued my life :and the lives of twenty !teller 111(71 1111►► Ise 1111 be for money down -cash, no "\\'ell, tee won't g!'orret Mout the amount. New, Captain, 14 nio tell you what we want you le do. leer must keep fairly sober Ii11 the vessel sails. Give re the chance of saying you've ,este of reformed. \\lien she's out (.f bar. lair the more you drink the Aielt.'re There'll bo it supercargo alxta,,i.'' "Never had 1 n super -cargo on she; of mino yet," groaned the Captain. The r:hlpnw•n4'r igr.tnel the interrup- Len. "1 10 will p:elest against your drinking !labile.' "I'll clap him in irons If be does." "Then we think it would be ns well rot to senate the t'hip. Sa:lorrnen talk when n vr•: el springs a sutklen }ark ai sea, and the muter -writers :light turn rusty. So you'll be drunk when run- ning into Marnnnitto Hnrhor--" "You needn't expkiiit to me. !!loft's 1 know That the channel nt the Fier is always . ltiflinee Iron! 1 know flint any shi;, not touches Mere genes to piens inskle of half an hour, and that the oil. etrifl from the hnrinr keree wreckage from washing up? Aye, Maranoibo liar wits made to soil ehipewniry! sharks.' "1\','II, about Isle rttnru'y, Captain'' "I want ptayiulg whate due l0 111e in I:ng;liih aosoreigns or American d ellare ---runes of your talcs or cheques which won't be mei." seven, where nen you staying now?" '?east eight 1 slept cit se;mc cn.es on 11. giro's" 'That wnrl'1 Jo now you re in fey r: - p•hy, See, (yearn, 111 reivnne a coupk' of hundred dollars tonight. Smnrt yourself tip a tit. Slay re n de- cent hotel, \\'o want yMt to imus like the seri of man we wild d'ntploy. eon t drink lilt you ore caul of the liar - lore Now. sh►ke hnniia on our bur - gain." Captain Norris surveyed the prettier.' hand ermlemptuo,(Lsly. 'and 11►••n, nese- ieg,' an effort, exlm4kd 105 Garel nr•I gripped it. Then the shyseweer come. cd out two bunked dollars and they left the offtee together. Ituring the next few days the Captain's acquaintances were nstensei•el 10 se,. tom to a oornparativelyr prosperous aiiywhere, roared the Meta. They were oven more suprised h thud that he (keenr►e'd all Invitations to have a drink. 11 was generally agree! that :f Captain Norris had thrown op leo rum for good and all bo w•us }meetly ban) to get a scup swots. They ui,i not know that the Captain secretly smoggiest w hereey into the bedroom al his betel, and node tip for hu sober days by drinking a!1 the night. The money agree.! upon was paid dowel tho next esteem:. "Note, (:ape titin," sail the shipowner, "don't make a fool of yourslf by swnnkittg those. 41411015 about. People might wonder hew poi got them." The Captain glared at his nn\pl•tyer. "Whet .lo you think 1 ant going to do w:th this money' Every jMo$1Y 01 Its going lo be }abut Tule a Retell Lank (o be el( Lt a 1111'.' weren't el Poplar. If it weren't fel. that hill.' woman you'd have (:a Inds a sight ferlltetr for a man 1., pule up your rotten lube After a few days Mr. Sl'ven.s lel it blip) that as Captain Norris hue Morin- o! he had offered hint the command of the Oregon. One 01' Lw'o wily li'l1 )1l. who lcnew Stevens.' way of doing !ruse rem sanded at tho news. .Rut meet g4' e- p'e agreed Ilial, as Norris hod „vera new leaf Stevt'ns & 'ferns were lucky to get hiin--eepeciaU'y as %raving a Mark marl: against leu ho would 001110 cheap,. At Iaal the Oregon was ready for :.ea, and the Captain heaved a sigh of relief. Now Ito could give up the nti.- er•able satetin:ince which had mode lt's days a burden. Ile could lel his chief olllccr look trate' the slap, whilst he himself mutt :vend lie time in 011 un- ceasing irritate. Alt went well fur the first few weeks of the voyage. The Captain lett his cabin, and rarely appeared en deck. The weather was so favorable that even a leaky old tub like Uto Oregon gave m. trouble. It was not till the vessel wr1.s within a days sail of 't:u•nnatbo that anything untoward happened. 'Phos 1 'heavy south-westerly {lake spiengt too. \\'h.11 the chief otlioer consulted the (.aploin 11:e only answer he gut wee "ilun 15(10 It.' So the Oregon sped on her ottir.'e• and early the next morning the look- d.irl sighted Mar:mailer lights. The e.le had become a hurricane, and the deist officer last, his nerve. He lyes! '•::vn 1.1 the cabin and demanded the i .rplairee pre.v.ence on deck. \\'Hid some ..I:flicu11)r Norris was 1110410 10 under- stand Ili.• situation. Il:' singgered on deck a'd the air sohnt•ed len a little Ile save the Marnnaibo liar in the die tarree--e)rl.' 1114155 ed fonnlalg breaker:;. The supercargo stepped ups to the Cap- lai0 and whispered, "Not to -day,, or every soul will be lost." Instantly the Captain swung round, and with one blow of his fist struck the m+1n•funale supercargo to the deck. ":mel three (nen at the wheel," cried the Captain. "a man like inc ain't afraid ' Marunaibo }lar." The crew hesitated, but the Captain pelted out a revolver and ordered !heels td thea pests. The chief officer mur- mured an expostulation, and was or- 4teved 1'elow at the revolvers point. Then whilst great seas smote the ves- sel and sho trembled through (Very rotten timber, her head was set for the line of bitokers which showed Murarai- bo Bar. The crew were frantic with terror; seems cast off their oilskins o'1(I sca- les -es so that they might stand a chance when the smash conte. But touch as they dre1ulel the angry gens they .Bedd- ed the angry ('eaptain more. There he stood, clinging to the rani with one hand, hoklmg Ile revolver with the other -note roaring his orders so that tleey aeu'd be heard even nb,.we the stirm, new singing in sewer exultation al the fight with the leziq,cs4 before hien. The vessel carte nearer and nearer to the mass of foam. The Captain covered METALLIC CEILINGS Ara Artistlo, DURABLE, SANITARY, and FIREPROOF Easily applied, Cannot Crack nor Fall Off Sand us a sketch shorting shape and Immo! measurements (.f your selling* or walls, and we will submit designs, estimates and Illustrated booklet tree. WRITE US NOW Metallic Roofing Co., Manufacturer* TORONTO ar WINNIPEG mit j the men al the wheel with his revolver. If one of them had shrunk from but t,ost to would have s1101 111111. A blind mass of foam and spume surg- ed over the vessel's deck, the ship was turned and tossed about by the waves es it she were a plaything; out of lire (furry on the port side a great mass of rock rose not live yards from the sltltes quarter. '!'hen erne a dual smother, the vessel iurned nearly on her beam - ends, and then all at once it was in the smooth waters of elarnnaibo Ray, and saitor+non on the quays and on vessels in luu•leir wore cheering the pluelcy Captain who had faced the deadly filar. As the Oregon took up her moorings in the harbor two boats spat out from the quay. In one t1.' harbormaster and Lloyd's aga'nt cairn' to congratulate the Captain on his feat of pluck. Cap- tain Norris was shuttling on the bridge, whiskey bottle in hand. Ilo accepted (heir congratulations as if they wore no won) than his dere. \\'twat they luted left him he noticed a small, dusk Spnnt- aril w ltisporing eagerly to the suttee. cargo. The+ next moment the Spaniard came t(p to the Captain. "I Ant Senor 'Posen, part owner of this ship. What does this men? We paid yen five hundred pounds to wreck the ship, and hero sho is safe in harbor." Captain Norris struck his forehead with his hand. "That's the worst (11 whiskey --maks; a Haan forget }hinge lee 1 knew More was eenaelhing all Ids, limo 1 had to do, but 1 otulen't call it to mind. Now, I'm t1 11100 of my were. I'd give you your money bite i1 1 hadn't vent every penny of it to the Nd girl -al Poplar. Rut as 1 can't do that, 111 tell you what I will dn. 111 take yen. derned ship out and pile her up for you -properly this time. 1 can't treat you fairer than that, cnn-1?" The Spaniard gave him an oninious glance, but left butt without saying a word. That night Captain Norris spent ashore in Mnrnnailxo drinking. Iktoes past midnight when he staggered wit to the quay to go aboard his ship. Ile was Ringing loudly as he .swnyetf his way down, and never bend the' stealth, See -steps 3 4,81nd hon. 'then carpo a sudden knife ton 1st in the dark, and a :eight splash in the harl•or. The next morning the chief officer of the Oregon, leaning idly over the ships side. saw a body floating in the water The receding trek' brought it rile:lgside. I1. started well horror wire!) he saw 1M fece. It was Captain Norrets return to hL h ;t ship .-I'earson:s MANUFACTURERS INI'IiNUIN(i TO LOCATE IN TORONTO WILL FIND Ideal Manufacturing Premises iN TRUTH BUILDING Flats 2,000 to 10,000 Square Feet Each LOWEST RENTALS, IN:LLII)IN(h Stearn Power, Heat, Electric Light Eire Sprink;er System, Lowest insurance. Most Central Location. !'our Large Freight Elevators, S. End Il i,suiI & Sous, 73-81 Adelaide SI., iti'csl- isiwingimoseramesimmeni a, The Utility of the Bicycle \\'nes never more ns.ure.1 thin nl the present time. s 1)41(1- :.t'44 titan, tate (14)01 Ir, the cur:,le, the 1• a•'"'r. the lamer, the larks of all trades rale the ••' la tele' rave-) 1.r. • 11111 money- and puts yeti on the 1! _), •.:: ester .sty. I' 1 the .mid message to the slnre at' 1 .• , 1 ::::r. 1 r a i:ur v call or Irnperlanl engagement, the •.1. ,. sieves t e pro, Consider the -e (pert ..s m• 4 -Is 1 ,! It 'n from: Itl:►ss•e':.' oiler Itibtr,n. ('1.••.•' .:, I. Perfr,'I, Ilr:lnll411, In:p••ri al :old It.Intl.lrr flee e111ee:. r..i rtice . lu •74 Canada Cycle and P.liotor Oc., Limited \\'i:SI 14).(tei ), C','5vl)A. Y.; 1T7 1(5 r :,J. L . T ' e" ar