Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-10-19

to my room. OF course | ought not 10
have permitted myself TO hear-for listen.
ing is not the proper term to apply to any
involuntary share in the confidence which
the second mate was bestowing upon
Miss Ellls-but could not easily help
myself.
They had evidently been talking some
where else and had sheltered themselves
beneath the lee of the house in order to
continue their conversation unmolested.
Mr.. Jones was speaking when first be
came aware of their close proximity 10
me.
I'm goin' 10 tell you this" he said,
because you are not like other women
lhsrll holer and raise Ned the minute
they think there's any danger. You're
brave. if know what's brave in gal
and ought to by this time. want you
not 10 say word about this to your
father, or anybody, for it amt my bust
ness to tell passengers anything; but the
fact is we may go ashore any time to.
night, and | want you to be ready"
$50 ashore tonight" she cried JOY
fully.
80, that is too good, Why | thought
we were a hundred miles from land"
You don't GET my meaning" he re
pied. "What mean to say is this; the
mates chronometer is all wrong. He
and have suspicioned it fora week back,
and to-day we got the Longitude from The
bark you was a lookin' at, and il they
was right we're close on the coast"
And what OF that? Shln't we get
home all the quicker9" she asked, gai!y.
Don't you understand ?" he answered.
The old man-!ho captain, | mean-is
getting sober, and he's told the mate not
to change his course or TO take a rag of
her. First we know We'll run slap on to
Hatteras beach; and il it comes on to
blow-as it's goin' to saro-well go to
- so quick that the old man won't get
a chance 10 get drunk again"
"Do YOU mean that We ate in dangot ?'
she asked, in lower tone.
"Yes, do; but don't you cit lr ghtoned.
Mebbe we'll go through tie night all
right. but if we don't and nlthing does
happen. come straight to mo. I'll be on
deck. and Ill lay down my life for you,
Miss Mary, God knows"
Sac asked him quickly; why do you
mind what the captain says. If he is not
sober? Why don't you and Mr.. Caswell
1the mattel do what you think beet ?"
He laughed grimly. I've been to sea,
Miss-mau and boy-ior twenty years,
and / never yet wen: agin' my superior
officers orders. The old man says to
drive her, and that's the end OF ii. II he
drives her ashore, it's his own look out ;
aud if it was not for you | wish he would
When he loses ship or two, mebbe his
owners will git sober men to navigate for
EN-"
IL am not afraid, Mr.. Jones'" answered
tho girl. "If you are wrecked, will do
Just as you tell me. You can't think how
/ thank you for telling me the truth"
Mr.. Jones was quiet for moment.and
heard her dress rustic, as though she
turned to 90. "Wait bit, ifyou please
Miss" said the second mate; 81 want to
say one word TO you"
After pause. he began: Miss Mary
you've no need to tell me what l am; q:
one of them old chaps that's in the cabin
with you did. once since we've been out o.
port. | know just what am better'r
YOU and he could tell me if you was tc
try your best and keep it up. right on end
for week. I'm an ignorant brute, tha
sin't fit to touch your dress. let alone
your hand. do my duty when LIN a
sea. aud get drunk and play h-ll wher
I'm ashore--and that's all there is OF me
But you see, never had bringin' up.
don't even know who my mother was
and I've been kicked round Cherry stree
when was boy. and knocked round 8
sea ever since | have been big enough to
know the end of marlin spike. ain
so bad as some OF the sailors think am
but I'm hundred fathoms below you
All want to tell you is jest this. There
never man among all the lot you've
knowed that could begin to love you as
do. For Gods sake. don't look efeard o
me. amt such fool as to think tina
you could ever care straw for me; bu
can't help tellin' you how true ant
honest love you. I'd die happy for you
Miss Mary, even if knowed you'd neve
think of me again. i never meant to tel
YOU this; and I'll never say another wore
about it. But, my God, when thinl
how I love you. and how there's NIT
thousand Atlantic Oceans between us,
get wild. I've thought of it some nights
Miss, till couldn't bear it no longer, ant
Jest jumped forrard and gone to lickin
the sailors TO keep from going C razy
and"
"Mr. Jones! Mr.. Jones !" came tn,
sharp call from the captain, cutting shor
the poor fellows confession.
SAY, ay, STRIP he answered. and wen
to meet his sober, but by no means san
commander. "Why haven't you got t