Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-06

and the spooks I'll sail your ship for you, and wreck her if they can.' And just as sure's my name's Peter Null lins, while was talking with him in sight of the home, a flock of crows came flyin' over the town; and one of 'cm lit on the ridge-pole of the home. and gave q 'caw, cav cav! loud enough to be heard half way to Bos' H."
 The silence that fell upon this con- gregation of old seamen after this dis ments. Then one of the party ventured to ask:
 "What did Captain Willis say to that?''
 "He only laughed at me-" Mullins replied. "He said he thought my rheumatism was worse than it used to be; and he gave me silver dollar, and passed on. haven't seen him since; and you will believe, from what have told you, that I never expect to sec him again."
 All this conversation had passed quickly. Helen Willis was in sight, coming up the street, when it begun; but it had been SO rapidly spoken that its last words, as we have given them, posite to the place where the old sailors congregated, as she walked on toward the old house which was her home. She was near by when Peter Mullins deliv- cred his last statement AS she ap- preached, the old sailors awkwardly endeavorcd to show their respect to the Captains daughter, and, of course, through her to the absent Captain, by lifting their caps and tarpaulins, scrap ing their forclocks, lowing. and going through multitude of quaint motions. Probably the terror which would have been inspired if the poaceable and quiet British war-frigatc, lying at anchor in the bay off Provincetown, had opened fire on the town would not have put its inhabitants generally in a greater state of trepidation than these old salts ex- hibited on the near approach of Helen Willis. All of them knew her father, and they all gave her their simple tribute of respect and admiration. Hats were not only touched, but taken off; heads were bowed; there was a general exhibition of respect and awk- ward gallantry.
 Helen Willis came along. feeling sad and nervous with the thoughts that were pressed upon her by the failure of news from her fathcr-and from an- other. She know the old tars whom she saw standing np respectfully to greet her; and, sad as she was. she could not help smiling gratefully and holding to their salutation. One of them hobbled out pace, and i with the bashfulness of schoolboy addressed her:
 Pardon me, Miss Helen, if you please - but havc you heard any thing from you father. tho Captain?'
 "No, Tom - I'm sorry to say haven't" she replied.
 A few steps further brought her to the door where her mother was stand ing. They exchanged glances. nc moro was needed. Mrs. Willis knew that there was no news. The great cruel ocean held its secrets, if secrets it had, about Helcn's father, and an. other of whom Helen wished to hear.
 Both went into the sitting-room oi the house. Like each of the four rooms which Captain Willis had repaired and redeemed from the general wreck and ruin of the old home. It was not only furnished but finished off with an eye l
 The mother and daughter both sat down, and for few moments each was silent. What Captain Willis had said to Crawford on the day of his death, as to his relations with thesc two women was strictly truthful. 1t could not ment of the rough, honest sailor. heart, revealed under the shadow O. death. They might have loved hin better had he beon ablo to give more time from his ship and her voyages, tt devote to them. As it was, they looked upon him as their hero, thei providence on earth. Their thought were turned toward him now.
 I've shouldn't be so anxious mother," Helen said, after palnfu pause. 1.-The Nellie isn't much over due"
 .'That is true," Mrs. Willis replied "and she has sometimes been longe than this between here and Havana but some way the thought don't seen to give me any comfort now. Tv never believed much In signs and fore runners. but I've had such bad dream lately, and always about your father Three nights in succession I have see1 the ship in my sleep. She seemed t be drifting over the sea, with only on man aboard And who do you thin it was?''
 '.Father?' -. -..'
 "No-Louis Hunter"
 An exclamation from Helen startle Mrs. Willis, and when she saw its cause she was startled herself. The perso