The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-10-31
AN ACTORS STORY,
Related Jy JOHN COLEMAN.
CHAPTER ".
On THE TRACK.

After night Of horror, Curly arose with
the sun AMI rushed TO the window. The sea
was still raging furiouiy. The ferry boat
was n mere cookie shell; 'twOuld he sheer
madness TO try the pas are till the storm
abated. Then he went TO look up the pos
tiliOns and the horses, to see II it were pos
sibln to get on as far aS DUNDEE. Alas the
postillious were dead drunk-the horses dead
beat. and lame besides. Obviously there
was nothing for 1t but to wait. He walked
by tn, shore and tr,9l to cool his fevered
brain in vain. Then he turned into the inn.
Flora was already up rosy as her namcsake,
and hungry ms a hunter. No bread-and-
butter miss this, but "A woman-a true,
large-hearte1 woman-with well balanced
mind cnsbrined In IA well-balanced body.
She was eiate and confident; he was fever
ish and anxious The breakfast, which con-
sisted of an abundance of fish, fresh from
the sea an hour ago n dish Of ham and eggs,
and delicious fresh bannOcki and butter. lay
untouch, II before Curly. As for Flora,
she had the healthy appett, of young
frosh, vigorous WCmanhooi and was
not ashamed of 1t. She did ample
Justice to the simple fare. lie
couldn't tasts morsal, AMI called for
whisky. Shs looked on with wondering
6, 80, ..ss..oni ,hel, and, it must b. conf ,S,ed,
not over pleas3l Whom c had got a dram
or two down he began to pick ~ lituo,
and tIiHld with the breakfast, but it was in
vain. He became frctfu and irritable;
every sound disconnected hint the walters
footsteps in the passage, the crcaking of the
door, the whstling of the wml
Al at once. as ii by magic, the storm
Crasci, the sea became cain as "A mill pool.
The ferr man Cime | ting in.
''fha ferry was a rlcht the moo. If the
Tat, and tlc sEnntcman woull ka to
cross. David would be ready Tor them in
tva mi ueS' Curly iccarc radiant; in
fac., iecame the young hero Flora's fancy
had runtel him. Recovering his appettn,
be- atrucAd the breakfast vigorously.
A, he did 50 the chatter Of horses hoOfs
and th, roll Of distant "arr,aga wheels were
Heard. At iba sound he star;cl 10 his feet,
and turned put. whats Ia matter, my
love" nqlrel Flora
"No,uinE,o he replied. Nothing. darling,
pothiny; ,nly I'm not quite myself thl,
Slip ON your hat anI cloai, dear
est, ,.hle settle the bill" s. saying he
rang the bell, AM Flora left N, room to
prepare for her departure. The dod,erng
I
snail. ana suail-lika Il parted to make ont
her bill Meanwhile the sound 81 tha ap-
propching carriage wheels go nearer
"Graclous Godn he exclaimed "shoull It
bet How long is his horrible oil woman
going to be matmS out her bea'ty bill'
How long 5 Flora going to BE-! Sine III ght
be- getting lac self up for presentation at
Cuurtw
At last the bill came and was paid
last Flora had completed her haty toilet
Tho sounds were getting nearer. The
farmer was ready and waiting. A moment
more, and
Leaving the house rapidly, and hurrying
down toward the ferrV some three hundred
yards distant. they stepped on board the
boat. At that moment carriage and four
horses in ''lather Of sweat galloped like
mad round the corner of the hill immedi-
atey overhanging the beach. Two men
jumped out. The one rolrei in voice of
thunder: Hold there! Come back, or, by
-, I'll shoot the pair of you'
Flora sprung lcfore her lover like lion
css defending her youny, and callel out:
Shoe. me first, then"
In his rage MacAllister fred, and would
certainly have hiilel her. had not D,empster
struck up his hand. He then Gale out to
the iarryman: II you there, Dayil Don
ud-1n! You ken me; Pm Dan'l Decmrster,
Of Strathmue& You see the5er and he
naulished handful OF greasy one pound
notes. They are yours II you puc back and
land those Two
There was a moments pause and the fer
Ivnan remained irresolute. Then Curly
produced a hanifnl of sovereigns AMI forced
them upon him, whispering:
AN yours now, and As much more when
we land on the other sdei'
David hesitated no longer. II, pocketed
the gold. and sung out with laugh:
"Heigh, Strathmines, bird in the hand is
worth twa in the bush; paper is guid, but
gold is better"
'Ay, mon" replied Deempster; but lead
goes further than either in pinch like thlsi
Sec that, moot" As he spoke he fred, and
hit the side Of the rOwlock neare q 10 HIM,
completely carrying it away.
Now, David, my mamie" be continued,
''be advised for il fire again shall put a
bullet in your shoulder rs sure as my name s
Dap'l Deempster" There was an awkward
pause, then tine ferryman replied: Say nae
mair! say nae MAR, Strathmines! Enough
is as guild as a feast; I'm comm back" So
saving. with sudden and dsxterous move.
inent be swung the boat round and headed