The Morning herald., 1877-06-08
The Captains Chase.
NlxSEss asaMss
Mr.. sereleaf i old enough t.

-. a a ii${E n n III
"A very good husband for You !" brok
CIara's uncle, at the height Of q warn
mite between them touching the severa
sr;ts Of a pair of suitors Of that younl
dv. s4.IS $3.50
aold enough to be my father, I was 80
to say" resumed Clara, "but grand
her would be nearer the truth" .ss
szounds girl, you're enough to provoke
.,iut, let alone crusty sea-dog not used
handying words with mutineers," broke
! the uncle. II tell you a man needs
and experience to take charge Of a
;nisb craft, like you. Silas Sereleaf is
NAN of soberness and substance. / only
ooder. nd with his prudence and experience,
his seeking such a risk. When I was
|utain of the Pe.rel, he was my owner,
Id"
THAT'S a good reason, suppose, why
should be mine," interrupted Clara,
wing her pretty head saucy toss.
"Avsst there p boiled over her uncle.
An old salt, with his weather eye open,
nj easily hood winked; and as you and
at young lubber, Owen Forbes, may as
ell understand first as last, that any man
# Silas Sereleaf takes you to wife with
lt A penny. If should die without a
III, as | had fully intended doing-when
time comes-all l have, Of course,
ouId 90 to you, as my next Of kin. But
ark me, # you cross my wishes here, I'll
Ill in lawyer, though I detest the whole
ibe like so many pirates, and leave my
ptire fortune lo-Davy Jones himself,
boner than you and that milksop shall
pger penny of itp
Clara, rising Indignantly, walked ma
(stically out of the room, banging the
Dor behind her.
Leaving Clara and her uncle to cool, let
introduce them to the reader.
The latter, Captain Mainyard, after pass.
bg many years in the merchant service,
etired to enjoy a rich estate left to him
nd his brother Olivar, Tor the survivor OF
hem, if either died before the tsstator),
y wealthy distant relative. Oliver
lainyard, Clara's father, was one Of the
Gcers Of ship, which. after sailing for a
breign port, was never heard of more, his
ate remaining one Of the secrets of the
ea, to be revealed when the time comes
pr giving up its dead. So, when the rich
|elalion died, the captain was left to take
he handsome fortune bequeathed in the
banner we have stated.
The orphaned Clara, who, while yet an
bfant, had lost her mother, found well
(ome home in the house Of her gruff old
)ncle, who, being bachelor, and likely to
|emain so, treated her as his adopted
|hiId and prospective heiress. And right
happily the two dwelt together till such
|ims as the captain insisted on Clara's be-
|towal of her hand on his old employer,
Bias Sereleaf, and her rejection Of the
Jul. Of Owen Forbes, when she mutinied
outright.
They had argued the point over and over
lgain with heat and tempest. But when
he captain in fit of passion, threatened
o make will and cut her off-a thing he |
lever would have the heart to do-that
e'tled it; and when Clara flung out of the |
oom, as we lave seen, it was with her
mind made up to marry Owen Forbes in
pite of fate and all the uncles in the world.
"Ihe jade, l see, has the family spirit in |
'er," growled the captain to himself.
Save must keep sharp lookout, or
hell cut away with that fellow the first
lme my backs turnedw
For several days he stuck to the house,
ike rentinel on a post, keeping close
1ach on all corners and goers. But the
uly began to grow irksome and the cap
ANS caution to relax; SO one afternoon
e stepped over to spend half an hour with
IL old friend with whom he was accustomed
low and then TO talk over by-gone days.
AS is their wont on such occasions the |
nOmenls sped swiftly, and before the cap.
ain knew it, the half hour had doubled
self
Catching up his hat be hastened home.
was growing dark when he reached the
oor, where the houssmaid met him.
ut is, an waiting, SIR"
bid my niece come down."
Wish Clarry's gone out, sir"
',Gone ou,!' cried the captain, in alarm
when % |
Nigh unto an hour ago." replied Biddy.
a young gentleman come with kerridge
n tuck her away" /
"Wh-what direction did they take ?"
sped the astounded captain.
Straight down the sthreet, sir" was
le answer.
The captain waited to hear no more.
ayipg little experience in horses, he kept
'ne of his own. He called Dick the man
'ryant, but getting no answer, he ran to
'e nearest livery stable himself, and or
ring the best turnout to be had, set off in
'e direction pointed out by Biddy, offer
g rich inducement to the driver to
read every stitch Of sail the craft could
rry.