San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-05-15
By CHARLES GIDBON.

Ross looked at Amnic--his eyes turned to
her Involuntary. asking the question, was
she g"in- tot? Bnt she looked down at the
table rXamnin. some FERNS which her
father had thrust wards her whilst he was
speaking.
I'm not sure. But what should YOU need
me fOr?-yOu know the roads better than
me-"
The captains quick pale eyes looked up
at him sharply, and he said gOOd-natured-
ly-
Pm perfectly aware o. that, Bob, but
next 10 myself think you ken them best"
"Thank you captain"
And as am to have friend wi me,
dinna want to haze mair fash myself nor is
just necessary. That's the reason why
want you wi us, though what you are sac
particular about kennng for, Gamma make
out. What's wrdng wi yep
That was question not easily answered,
for the man himself did not know precisely.
He felt that there was 4 great deal wrong
with him; but as he found i diff 'ut to dis
cover an explanation for il in his own mind,
it was impossible to translate il in words to
the understanding of another. So, he an
swered vaguely
Nothing, captain, except that | would
like bit rest"
"ReStl-yOu that fetched aft they three
billies frae the smacRthis morning, and
was able to walk out here as If naething
had happened-yOu to talk about rest when
you are gaun aboard the MGrmdtd!-hOOtS
man, that's ma your reason"
What is that about the smack, father?'
broke in Annie, with eyes Frightening, as
she remembered the explanation Ross had
given for being late.
"A daft thing-that fOOl-fellOw gaed out
in the teeth O. gale because he saw smack
capseezed-"
Did you save them?' she asked of Ross
but the father replied
100, ay, he brought hame three o. them
but he might hae made the loss o. his ain
crew as weel as that O the smack. 1t was
cleverly done as am told, all the same but
you should mind that life in the hand is
worth twa in the wrack. But that's ma the
question; are you to come VII me or no?
Cargill Is coming"
Annie by a flush Of the cheeks and a
movement of the hand-instantly checked
as If she would take that Of Ross, appeared
to think that the saving of the men was very
much the question.
The father did not observe the movement,
and Ross was entirely occupied with the
announcement that Cargil was going to
Peterhead on board the Mermaid.
'Pll go VII you, captain, he said quietly;
and any one hearing him speak would have
thought that he was merely closing an Ordi-
nary bargain. But through his mind was
passing the panorama of Cargill, all the
way along the coast counting Annie.
That's a plain word, and / think you
ought to hae spoken it sooner, for it's an
easy job to you, and you'll be among frien's.
Take dram on the head OF"
CHAPTER III.
AT THE GATE.
He had been in dream during the last
ten minutes of his stay in the captains
room. Heswas in dream now that he got
out into the fresh air. Cargill going with
them-Cargill had been at the cottage just
before him-why, then it was all settled
and there was no hope for him.
What fiend, then, had prompted him TO
say he would be pilot of the Mermaid on
this voyage? Why should he be with them
when it would be only to intensity his sense
of loss into hate, and-maybe, crime?
He should have said, No, no, no! and he
had said ''yes" for the very reason which
should have compelled him TO say no.
1t was not yet too late, He could find
some excuse; he could feign illnesS-he
could drown himself. Anything rather than
go on board that vessel and see them to-
gether, knowing the man to be so unworthy.
He did believe that if he had thought Car
gill an honest man he could have said good
bye i'm sad resignation to the inevitable; he
could have steered them safely into port
with no chagrin, but only sorrow in his
heart.
As it was-he must escape from the en-
gagement. He could not answer for him
self if he fulfilled it,
As lie was mechanically opening the gate
his arm was grasped by friendly hand.
"Stop minute, Mr.. Ross, have been
noticing that you are not well, can we do
anything for y0u?"
Not well What poor thing was it, then,
that the wreck of hope and future should
come TO be mere question of Gan we do
ANYTHING for your SO much medicine-SO
much fresh air-and 10, hope is restored and
the fuJure is as bright as ever. That is the
current mQOd-and happy one-but to the
homely nature of man like Ross il brought
no balm. He had ventured his all in single
boat and il had sunk.
He turned and saw Annie, the bright SYM
pathetic eyes fell upon him. Like most men
deeply i'm love he was most shy Of the being
he most loved. SO he answered somewhat
ungraciously.