The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-04-04

how cOulu Mathew Eaye been such q
fool as to trust him?
..Belike there's lace in it. and silk in if
and brandy in it. There's ALWAYS them
things. But there's more, Nan-tbere,s
more.
what more, DAM"
'Fugleman, he'll laugh when he hears
the news. He's helping in the lob. and
he don't know nothing about it: only
Mathew and me knows what that job is.
Mathew and me-and one other"
WHO is the other. Dan? And what ;s
the job?''
He shook his head and buriel if for
safety in the pewter pot.
Mathew Humble. he said, lis q
masterful man.
what is the job?' asked Nan, feeling
curiosity slowly awaken.
1T is job, replied Dan, which can't
be told unto women
why, We lubber, she sprang to her
feet and shook her fist il the Strong Mans
face, so that he started back: ..lubber and
land lubber, you dare to call me woman
VI bllC iOlClOp. NOW, let
hear what this job is that am not to be
told. Out with it RI omit the gar
uish of her discourse, which consisted Of
sea OathS.
Mathew Humble did say the
Strong Man began. But strong men are
always like babies in the hands of
woman.
Vast there. Dan" said Nan; dive
think value your job nor want to know
what it is-a ropes end? But that YOU
should refuse to tell it to me, YOU ship
net-that's what gals. And after yester
forenoons salmagundi?''
This accusation of ingratitude cut poor
Dan to the quick In the matter of sea
pie, lobscouse and salmagundi (which is
ness of salt beef, onions, potatoes, pep
Der, oil and vinegar, the whole fried to
make toothsome compound) Sailor Nan
Vas more than mother to him
Twenty years afioat." continued Nan.
deep disgust; from boy to captain O.
he foretop, and from Cape Horn to the
Narrow seas and Copenhagen, and to be
cold by land swab, who never so much
as smelt blue water, that I'm a woman"
90 course" said Dan feebly, Il didn't
really mean it,"
Didn't mean it? Why-there! What
is it, then? Is it piracy or murder?"
He shook his head
Look We, Nan. 1t won't signify. not
button, telling you. l said to myself.
At the beginning. Nan won't spoil sport:
md it's only girl.
Only a grill Nan pricked up her ears
As if cared about girls" she said care
essly
Only girly. It's Miss Drusy-that's
IL. You see she's been longing to run
way with Mathew and marry him. for
months. Longing she has, having took
fancy for Mathew, which is a strange
thing. come to think of it, and she SO
Young But women are - Ay. av
Nan. know. You see always thought
she was saving up for Ralph Embleton
But Mathew, he says that's nonsense.
Well-she all this time longing to marry
him, and her mother won't hear it-no
chance till now. So it s fixed for tonight.
What a run! Lace, and brandy. and
Geneva, and girl"
''Oh-well; don't care. Go on. Dan.
if you like
He then proceeded to explain that
Mathew had arranged for a pony to be
saddled in readiness; that the signal
agreed upon between the girl and Mathew
was message from the castle carried by
a certain boy named Cuddy. pretending to
come from the fugleman who was to be
kept out of the way, employed at the Her
mltage. where the stuff was bestowed; the
boy was to say that the fugleman was i'll.
On receiving this message the girl would
make an excuse to run up to the castle
where she would mount the pony, and so
ride off with Mathew and be married ov,
the Border To keep up appearances .e
went on-this soft headed giant-it Lad
been arranged that the young woman was
to scream and struggle at first, and that
Dan should lift her into the saddle, and.
if necessary. hold her on Once across the
Border they would be married without so
much as jump over the broomstick
Nan slowly rose.
''Pl get you some more beer, DAM" she
said
She went indoors and poured about
three-fourths of pint of gin into
tankard which she filed up with strong
ale, and brought out to her lodger with
tender care
Drink that, DAN" she said; Its good
old stingo-none of your small beer
Drink it up; then you can put on your
coat and 60 about your work
He drank it off at gulp, with every
outward sign of satisfaction Then he
suddenly reeled and caught at the door
post.
go and put on your coat, Dan" she
said, looking at him with little anxiety.
He disappeared. Nan heard one-two
heavy falls, and nodded her head Then
she followed into the room and found the
strong man lying upon the floor. on his
back, with his mouth open and his eyes
shut. She dragged blanket over him,
and went out again to sit on her stone
with as much patience as spider in Oc
tober. She sat there all the morning as
quiet as if she was on watch. About $50
in the afternoon there came slowly down
the street no other than Mathew Humble
himself
Where is Daniel?' he asked
Nan pointed to the door.
Hes within. fast asleep. He came home
late last night. l dare say he'll sleep on
now, if you let hime alone, till evening
Have you-has he-talked with You
this mornings" Mathews eyes were rest
less. and his cheek twitched, sign OF
prolonged anxiety or much drink
NAY, what should he say to me, see
ing that he came home in the middle of