Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-03-02

.ldL livery Ciut MISS L rank earned went /
70 her father, who was incapable of work. I,
ing. ave run the pilot boat with pilstsn
she said, ''all summer now. The No. 9 is
up for repairs, and wo were both Out of
job. I've tinded her, sorr, since she was
wee baby, and if the Virgin wills it, will
tind her till wan or both of US doies."
George thought of all this, and saying
to himself, "Well, Pm very glad she has
that strong, faithful old soul, Mary Ann,
with her." he flung the stub of his cigar
into the water and went below.
The next morning he called all hands
on deck to make sail, and the Psyche, dip
ping and bowling her farewell to land,
sped on her way across the blue waters, the
rising sun just cleaning over the hilltops
and banishing the lingering mists of night.
George watched Frank at her work,
either steering or watching to see if the
sails were drawing well steering skill
fully SO as to catch any advantage of the
light morning breeze. She was quite I'M
conscious of his earnest but respectful
scrutiny, for George was gentleman in
birth and instincts, and recognized true
womanhood in any phase of life's work.
This was his holiday time; the yacht his
one luxury and amusement. He was not
wealthy, but had a fair income from the
insurance business, in which he was en-
gagged. Known and loved by his many
friends, his life was pleasant, although
heart free. He had never asked any young
lady to share his life with him, although
nearly thirty, and the girls knew and
spoke of him as "that inveterate bachelor,
George Hensly"
They reached the fishing grounds at s,
and the business of fishing commenced.
A dozen lines hung on each side, and Mary
Ann and George were kept busy. "a foine
morning for bites," said she. He had ar
ranged small bells on each line, SO they
knew when fish was around the bait, and
watched accordingly.
'There goes the dure BELL" Mary Ann
would say. As she hauled in the first cod
fish she said: "Sure you tolled yer own
bell better thin any dead body of a corpse
liver could;o and as she took it off the
hook, she went on with her conversation.
st was at wan of the hotels in Jamaica,
Long Island, that livery day, and livery
day salt Goldfish was on the table. 1t is
the same kind of fish, says /, that kapes
the water salt around here, bad cess to
thin. tell you, sorr, it's the truth I'd
got skurffy if I'd staid there"
Frank never smiled at Mary AIMS talk,
but Georges hearty laugh encouraged her.
Three days the fishing went on, till George
thought it time to quit, and soon they
were returning by Long Island sound.
Near Whitehead George was taken sick
with a bad headache, and leaving instruc-
tions to anchor off the land he went be-
low. When Mary Ann went down she
found him in raging fever, and he grew
worse. At 9 that night he was raving in
delirium. Mary Ann came on deck and
told Frank. "I will row ashore for the
doctor, shall II" "Can your said Mary
Ann. cts dark as haythen nagur's
pocket, but the poor fellow is that sick
Pm afraid to leave him. But take me
pistol with yer, darlint, and if any one
molists yer put lead in thim."
ooh, Pm not afraid" replied Frank, as
she united the boat and stepped in. 1t
was certainly very dark, the shore distant,
the lights small and few. The whistling
buoys made dreary music as the breeze
and waves moved them. The bell buoy
tolled mournfully off the point near the
shoal, and Frank shuddered and bent to
her oars as the thought struck her, what if
Captain Hensly should die?
The moon came from behind the drift
and threw pale CLEAN across the water,
then the heecy clouds obscured it, and the
way seemed darker. Finally she reached
the slip. She fastened her boat and hur-
ried up the deserted street. She did not
dare call at one OF the old sdanties and ask
the way to doctors for fear of the in
mates being rough. So she climbed a
steep hill to a larger house, where dim
light was seen. A dog greeted her with a
sharp bark, but he stopped when her soft
voice said, Good doggie, poor old fellow"
He wagged his tail in social recognition.
Her ring brought a gentleman to the door,
who looked his surprise at seeing young
girl alone.
''Can you tell me, please, where / can
obtain doctor ?" said Frank.
Certainly" replied he. "Just yonder,
up that street,
And Frank, thanking him, quickly sped
away up the street to where he pointed.
Here light burnt in the hall, and in a
few moments the doctor came to the door.
~ will come in moment, but how will l
reach your yacht 7" he asked, as she told
him her story.
81 will row you myself, sir" said Frank.
As she stood in the light of the hall lamp
she looked so fair, so slight, and the night
seemed so dark, the doctor pitied her, and
thought to himself it must be serious
case, as he hurried to pack his satchel with
the necessary medicine.
They were soon on the water, and ahead
of them glowed thered light of the Psyche
at anchor-glowed like ruby on the
breast of the dark, yelvety night. The
doctor, sitting in the stern, watched
Franks clear cut face as the moon gave
him fitful chances of light to study it
mo ordinary GIRL" he said to himself,
"and is it husband, brother or lover that
made her run the risk of shore perils this
dark night, when SO many men In liquor,
too, were around those saloons. She has
courage if she is slight"
Mary Ann helped them on board and
took him below. He found his patient
sick unto death with malarial fever, re-
quiring great care and good nursing, all of
which Mary Ann promised.
1t was August before George was able to
be on deck, still handsome, but the shadow
of his old self. His two nurses had been
faithful and kind, and the doctor told him
nothing but their good nursing brought
him through. Frank stood by the bow
fishing for small fish for bait. When she
saw him come on deck, she came forward
and said: captain, l am glad to see you
on deck again"
"Thanks," said George; "but are you
tired of being Captain, mate and crew."
"No," said Frank. although now you
are well, you will want to go ashore, and
our pilot boat is ready for sea again. We
must CO." Her voice was low and her
manner spiritless, unlike the bright girl
that came to offer her services two months
ago.
She stood leaning against the white
mainsail they had hoisted to shade the
side of the deck where George sat. Her
coarse blue serge dress and blouse showed
signs of wear, but above the blue the clear
cut face and fair hair seemed to brighten
its dinginess. Her brown hands were
tying and untying the clewlines, as if
they could not keep quiet. Georges eyes
softened as he looked at her. He spoke
again in an eager way:
"You were so brave and good to me dur
ing my illness that don't believe can
spare you, Frank. need you. Won't
you take the position for life as mate of
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