The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-08-09

tiolis.'
81 don't know that I am.'' He adj
ded, with laugh: IL suppose I'm no
enough of sailor for that.
You say that in jest;, but there's
truth in it. Now look at me. You SEE
what am; you know me pretty well
You wouldn't take me for man likely
to give way to presentimentsP"
Certainly not"
'.And yet, tell you that in the hour:
of this night that has just ended the
belief has been forced upon me that
shall not see another sunset"
You'll see many hundreds of them
sir. don't wonder you are disturbed
in mind by what has happened on this
vessel in less than twenty-four hours
but I'm confident the worst is over"
"You think I'm nervous and Eighty,
as most men would be in my place.
You are wrong. If you should fee
my pulse you would find it as steady
and strong as the beat of the pendu-
lum. / am not governed by any weak
fear; it is simply powerful PRESENT.
ment of speedy death that has come
to me"
His words were so solemn that Craw-
ford could at first make no reply
'Still," he at last ventured, "you
must admit that there is no peril that
threatens you that does not equally
threaten me"
'.Not at all. My belief is just as firm
that you will escape these dangers and
live long to tell about them. just look
back at what has happened to you in
the past month! Fate has been won
derfully kind to you, and will continue
to be, l verify believe. You are
marked for life, not death. No man
can do the things that you have done.
without having what ! should call a
firm grip on existence Don't ask me
how all this seems so clear to me; feel
it-but l can no more explain it than ]
can tell what made this wind rise, and
what keeps it blowing"
There was absolutely nothing that
Henry Crawford could say. The Cap
tains manner warned him that what
had been said was but the prelude to
something of great importance that was
to follow.
cit IS not mere idle whim that
leads me to tell you this" Captain Willis
went on. IF ] supposed that we
were all to be involved in a common
disaster, and that none of us should
ever sail into Boston harbor, you
would have heard nothing of this from
me. 1t is because l thoroughly be-
ieve that your lucky star still attends
you, that now speak to you as one
man might speak from dying bed to
another"
The rough man was softened by his
own words. His voice faltered little;
he even grasped Crawford hand.
Nothing has been said between us
about my daughter since you surprised
ME with her picture he continued.
g It's not necessary to say that l APP
prove her choice. She's a sweet, good
girl, my lad-that you know. She
hasn't seen as much of her father as a
child has right to; but I've always
loved her dearly. Didn't name this
ship after her, when she was little
slip of a thing? You'll do just as
you said, l am sure; you'll 60 back,
quit adventuring, take up the old,
steady ways of the world, which, after
all, are the best ways, marry Helen,
and settle down. You must be kind to
her mother, too; she's good woman, "
There was just dash of petulance in
the young mans voice as he replied:
'All this is very pleasant for me to
hear, Captain Willis. and I'm proud of
your confidence in me. You'll pardon