Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-04-27
A SHIP OF 40,
(Copyrightcd by lIoughton, Miflln & Co., and
pablished by arrangement with them.
by BRET HARTE.

eyes upon her as q proternaturally inno-
cent and trusting companion of Ulysses
might have regarded the Transforming
Gree. Roscy turned away with the
fainteSt sigh. The hubitual look of alb
straction returned to her eyes as if she
had once more taken refuge in her own
ideal world. Unfortunately the change
did not escape either the sensitive obscr-
walton or the fatuous misconcepton of
the sagacious parent. "Ye'll be mountin'
q few furbelows and 1xins, Rosey, /
reckon, ez only natural Mebbee yen
have to prink up Il little now that we've
got 81 gentleman contractor in the ship
HI see what | kin pick up in Montgomery
street" And indeed he succeeded a few
hours later in accomplishing with equal
infelicity his generous design. When she
returned from her household tasks she
found on her berth purple velvet bonnet
OF extraordinary make, and pair of
white satin slippers. "They'n do for u
start Off, Rosey," he explained, "and 1
got EN- at my figgers."
"But go out so seldom, father, and
bonnet''---
CHATS So" interrupted Mr. Mott,
complacently, lit might be jest ez well
for young gal like Yer to appear ez if
she did go out, or would go out if she
wanted to. So you kin be wearin' that
ar headstall kinder like this evening when
The contractors here, ez if you'd jest
come in from pasear"
Miss Roscy did not, however, imme-
diately avail herself of her fathers pur-
chase, but cOntonted herself with the
usual scarlet ribbon that like snood con-
fined her brown hair when she returned
20 her tasks. The space between the gal
ley and the bulwarks had been her favor
ite resort in summer when not actually
engaged in household work. 1t was now
lightly rooted over with boards and tar
paulin against the winter rain, but still
afforded her vcranda like space before
the galley door, where she could read or
sew, looking over the bow Of the Pontiac
10 the tossing bay or the further range of
the Contra Costa hills.
IIithcr Miss Rosey brought the purple
prodigy, partly to please her father, partly
with view of subjecting it to violent rad.
icGl changes. But after trying it on be-
fore the tiny mirror in tho galley once or
twice, her thoughts wandered away, and
she fell into one of her habitual reveries
seated on little stool before the galley
door.
She was aroused from it by the slight
shaking and rafting of the doors of
small hatch on the deck, not a dozen
yards from where she sat. 1t had been
evidently fastened from below during the
wet weather, but as she gazed, the fastcn.
ings were removed, tho doors were sud-
denly lifted, and the head and shoulders
OF young man emerged from the deck
Partly from her fathers description, and
partly from the impossibility Of its being
else, she at once conceived it to
be the new lOdger She had time to note
that he was young and good looking,
Graver perhaps than became his sudden
pantOminic appearance, but before she
could observe him closely he had turned, |
closed the hatch with a certain familiar
dexterity, and walked slowly towards the |
bows. Even in her slight bewilderment
she observed that his step upon the deck |
seemed different to her fathers or the |
and that he laid his hand |
on various objects with half caressinG
ease and habit Presently bc paused and |
armed back, and glancing at the galley |
door for the first time encountered her
wondering eyes.
1t seemed so evident that she had been |
curious spectator of his abrupt entrance |
on deck that he was at first disconnected |
and confused. But after a second glance |
at her he appeared to resume his compos-
IRE, and advanced little dellantly to-
wards the galley
II suppose l frightened you, popping
up the fore hatch just now?"
"The what;' asked Rosey.
''The fore hatch" he repeated inpa-
IDENTITY, indicating it with a gesture.
"And that's the fore hatch?" she said
you seem to know ships"
"Ycs-a little" he said quietly. 81
was below, and unfastened the hatch to
come up the quickest way and take look
round. I've just hired room here" he |
added eXplanatorily.
81 thought so," said Rosey simply;
''you're the contractors"
lc CultIuClOI'-On yeSl you seem !
10 know it all"
Fathers told me-"
ooh, he's your father--Nott? Ger
tainly. I see now" he continued, looking
at her with half repressed smile. Ger
sainly, Miss Mott, good morning." he half |
added and walked toward the companion
way. Something in the direction of his
eyes as he turned away made Rosey lift |
her hands to her head. She had forgotten
TO remove her fathers baleful gift.
She snatched it off and ran quickly to
the companion way
f'Sir!" she called.
The young man turned half way down
mo steps and looked up. There was a
faint color in her cheeks and her pretty
brown hair was slightly disheveled from
the hasty removal Of the bonnet.
"Father's very particular about stran-
gers being on this deck" she said, little
sharply.
Il,