Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-08


II saw you at ii last night
Ibid your" she cried with subdued en-
Misgill explained hilariously.
Molly laughed little, too. "You were so
tipsy." she said, that Twas sure you would
akot last night wasn't tipsy last night.
hadn't drank drop"-so protested the Captain
mendac1ouSly.
Molly ignored this. A fiery earnestness came
I'm a-going to be play-actress, that's what
"ASkicker?" quer1ed the Captain, illustrating
with foot never designed by nature or the
bOOt-makers art for any pas.
"Well, I'm to learn to dance too But that
amt all. There's some pantomime people ago
ing to South Ameriky soon. Jenny Gregg knows
to run away with EN-"
These last sentences were safely delivered
into the very porch Of the listeners ear.
She nodded frowningly.
81 wouldn't a-dared stand ag'n him yester-
day, II he an me was alone tantaliZed him
a-purpOSe SOS to have IL out before you. Bat now
I've begun, m a-going on with 1t. l work early
and late, most days; pity can't have oae off
now am then: He's give me as much OF har
him yesterday-I could see it in his eye IL was
an experiment Now I'd fight mas battles,
too. II 'twould do any good. But she'd only
At that moment str1dent voice seemed to
vault up the ladder by which the second story
was gained.
"He's come home" muttered Molly, tnvolun-
tarily Clinching her handS-"the BEAST"
The Captain did not look Mortified. He wished
he might fully express his feelin g toward B Al
len. He considered that the signal had been
given for him to slip quietly into MS room.
"Stop,' whispered Molly 1mperiously. 81
haven't thanked you for this beauty
The Captain had wished she would not; he
changed his mind when he felt pair of plump
arms around his neck.
"Therel you splendid old darling.' cried
Molly, with squeeze and vanished.
Like one1n dream he stood, feeling her warm
breath against his grizzled cheek for full five
minutes after: Then he shook himself roughly,
muttertng: "You old gray ship-rat, you! 1
b'lieve you'd SWIVEL for the moOn!"
Week after week the Barnacle lay in port,
waiting for crew. Hands used to ropes had
taken to pick and pan. Part owner Of his own
vessel. such delays commonly made the Captain
rebuking his drinking habits and laying an en-
barge On his worst Oaths, Molly Ballen found
him both agreeable and entertaining. His So
more than the Captain himself. He was con-
WINGED, although a bad word did slip out now
and then, that he was turning frightfilly pioIs.
He loaded his young frlenu with mOteiy gifts
shells. a Spanish guitar, dreSSlength of
Struggled English silk, bright enough to glad
den any girls heart, sllver-mounted opium
pipe, Chinese work box full Of useless bob
bins, and clumsy ivory thimble, which Molly
edibles.
Gregg but would show nothing to father or
mother. fearing to lose them. Girl-like she
reJoiced secret In her treasures, assuring the
giyer that She would carry every precious one
OF to South America with her-at mention of
which possible journey Misgils foolish old
heart would sink down untold fathOmS. He had
been introduced into the home OF the Greggs-
only rude little tent it was, on Clay-street
Hill. Mrs. Gregg was often absent, doing a
days work wherever she could get it, and
Jenny-a bright girl, two years older than
"a a I0yl1 C-r,un,f n
there with unheard-of luxurieS provided by the
Captain. Then, too, the trio made stolen
visit to the Barnacle, and another, over sand
drifts and wastes OF Wild lupine to the Old Mis-
sion Church.
One fine morning Mlsgill was startled out of
his FOOLS paradise. He must bid goodbye to
and intoxicated wretcheS had been smuggled
aboard the Barnacle, to fill out meagre COM
PIGMENT OF sailors, and he must put to sea
before they came to themselves. He climbed to
Ballen'S house as If going to the scaffold. To
see Molly an instant alone was the best he
dared hope. By token of that harsh voice.
issuing from the kitchen, the master was at
home, but Molly was nowhere to be seen.
Having hastily gathered together his few per-
sonal effects and paid his bill for entertainment,
Misgin looked around stonily. Was this the
last?
"Molly?" he ventured at length.
.'A-maundering of agin!" cried Ballen, with
furious oath. III squeeze that gals brains
through her ears, but I'll break her OF these
tricks"
Misgiii ground his teeth with rage and pain.
thinking III not be here to protect her," But,
neart. Where could Molly be but at Jenny's?
And there, indeed she was. Misgll startled her
with an off-hand goodbye.
.M Maat' 1C zap noA Angolng away?n
me-"
'.Forever!" Molly spoke in, promptly.
"Come, must be OF" he muttered. getting
suddenly hoarse. molly, do you remember how
you served me the day brought you that Chiny
shawn"
"Don't I, thought"
"Serve me SO gin dear That was the first
this'1 be the last ume.'
She waited no urging, but threw her arms
around his neck, and, uneX pectedly. began TO
cry, like tie Child she was, on his shoulder
"You've been so good to me- Cap'n. Pa hasn't
ventured to lift hand to me sence you've been
In the house. There's no telling what he will
do, now; and-and don't want to go with them
South Ameriky people. l want-to go with
you! :"
"Dont. don't, my DEAR Dry them pretty
eyes; Would to the LORD youwas my own little
"Take me with you, Cap'n!"
at can't be, Molly. IL can't be. Leastwise
there's only one mortal way, an I'm too Old an
you're too young for that. "
lone Way?' she echoed, Selling upon his most
hopeful words, and looking eagerly into his face
why, you're crying, too, Cap'n Misgil.
al know what it is" said Jenny who had been
standing by, patiently waiting her adleu. ''It'5
to marry the Capn, Molly"
'To-marry the Cap'n." echoed Molly, laugh
ing aloud, with the tears still on her cheeks.
why, OF course! Your mother married at four
teen, Jenny"
''But not to an old grey-beard like me-" re-
turned Misgin, putting Molly away from him
with rough decision. you'd repent OF il BIZ
ter enough before you was twenty"
mo. | wouldn't" contradicted Molly: ''Id
think OF pa"
Mention OF Ballen had brought those evil
looks and threats sharply before MisgilrS mind.
Could he leave the dear girl,Who5e every glance
and every tone were sunshine and music TO
him, to the dreadful alternatives OF submitting
to Ballen'S tender mercie5, or desperately run
ming into Heaven only knew what daugerSo
"Molly.' he SAID, huskily, 'think well On it,
my dear. Don't make up your mind too hasty.
III go an find my old friend, POrteouS. Expect
Inc back in an hour, al most. l must be aboard
in two"
Within the specified time he returned, and
With him P0rteous, whose Jolly, rolling eyes
beamed anticipation OF wedding liquids
where's the minister" said Molly, looking
impatiently from one to the other. s. thought
you'd bring one."
Whereupon Porteous roared with triumph:
"HOoray! hooray! Changed her mind has
she, Cap'n. Never see man SO sorteI tim'rou5
as Thad all on sudden. ParSon Waitin' out
side"
Then he ran to wave his hat at the opening of
the TENT and thus coDjured, the Reverend Ed
ward GraSS-sO PorteOuS introduced h1m-en-
tered. For the same reason that he had been
posted without, some suspicious black bottles