The Forrest City times., 1891-04-24
CHAPTER XI. ONE FRIEND AT LAST.

| CHAPTER xI. ONE FRIEND AT LAST. It was busy day for tho master and crew of the dcrmaid The cargo consisted chiefly 1 of salt, saltpetre, and large quantity of oil. intended for one of the experiments in oilng the angry waves for which Peterhead was become famous. The captain was de- sirous of having all cleared out before the noon of the following day, and his men i found him more impatient than they had ever known him before.
 Cargill would have persuaded Annie to accompany him on an excursion inland to view some of the beauties of Buchan which he had been told were numerous. She de- clined, pleasantly enough, as it seemed, but so firmly that he tid not persist. He count ed upon his victory during the return pass age. Meanwhile he sauntered into the town | by himself, to gratify the eyes of the folk with view of his manly person and the latest style in tailoring.
 Annie felt as if the atmosphere werc somehow purer during his absence. With out exhibiting any deliberate design to avoid him-and certainly without dlseourtesy- she contrived to escape being left alone with him during the next two days, when the business of unloading having been com pleted that of reloadng was in progress. On this second day after the departure of Ross there was amazement on board the Mermaid at sight of old Dick Baxter hirp- ling along the quay, as calmly consequential and as much at home as if hc had been at Newhaven.
 "Dod, there are surely few bees r the byke when the drones come out" exclaim- ed the captain cheerily. ''Whar in the world do yc come frae BaxterT'
 Just frac hame. captain. and I'm want in you to talk me back again." And are you out on business, or arc you | just taking daunder to see the kintry? 'Oo, baith, baith, captain; mans never l over auld to learn. and hae been learning heap as cam alang. But would never hae started if 1t hadna been that naething would satisfee Bell Cargill except that should gang ance errand to look after her calf"
 What's ta'en the auld wife?" said tho captain, laughing; "does shc think he canna take care O himsef?-he's auld enough"
 Il couldna say, but Bell has notions, and she will hae them carried out"
 "Aweel, gang you below and Annie will see that you hae something to eat'
 And whar's Jeems the-nooP"
 Up the town, some gate"
 At that Dick Baxter hirpled down to tho cabin with unusual alacrity. To Annie his only salutation was, as he presented let 1 ter
 Bob Ross sends you that, missy"
 Her face flushed with pleasure; but she put the note in her pocket in order to at- tend to the wants of the unexpected guest
 Ma, na," he said hurriedy; read yeur bit ietterie, and while you're doing that want to look into Jecms's cabin. 1 hae got an idea in my head that puir Bob didna get fair play, and want to try and make sure o't"
 You think that?' she cried joyfully.
 II hae nae doubt about it. and the doctor that saw him in Edinbro' has nae doubt about it--for, talk his word for it that he tasted naething a day exceptin' what Jeems gied him. But we want to mak' sure afore speaking. Whar's his cabin?"
 She pointed to door. Old Dick passed into tho place. closing the door after him. Annie, like many others had great faith in Dick Baxter's wisdom, for as he studied the newspapers so carefully he could always tell about everything that was going on, and no ono had ever been bold enough to question his judgment on any question of right and wrong.
 She opened her letter with fingers which were not quite so steady as usual, and read her first love-letter. It was Q strange one.
 "I write this to let you know am better, Annie and to tell you that there has been some mistake about me somewhere.
 'On the way to the station, Campbell told me about everything that happened, and al though could not take it all in clearly at
 You all think that was drinking. You will believe mel had nothing except what Cargill gave me. and that took because after what you had said to me l was kind oi feeling. There was something wrong about that whisky. Dick Baxter had been read
 ing something in the paper that made him suspect 1t the minute I told him about tho accident
 He is going to you If he should be righ,
 Twin bs able to face your father and the
 world again, and, best of all, will be able
 to meet you without feeling that there il
 any shame upon me.
 Tt has been hard time for me. Annie
 and 1 do not think l could have com.
 through it but for you-God bless you. am hoping that there Is only wee while tt
 wait till may see you again; and an . feared that something may come betwecr us yet. But nothing can change mo" ] She put the letter in her pocket There was new light on her face, making 1t lool gcntler and happier that it had ever dont , before. Ay. she did believe him-she hat l believed all along that he had been betray
 cd in some way, although she could no guess how. But Dick Baxter was cisvel
 man and he would find 1t out. , When Dick reappeared from Cargill's cab in therc was peculiar smirk on his wixcn , cd face, and nodding to Annie complscent ly he muttered-
 , Just as thought, just as I thought"
 What is as you thought" she inquired eagerly.
 Give me minute or twa," he answered seating himself before the joint of cornes , beef which had been placed for him. H. took dram first and then ate heartily. Hi, , reflections were much aided by this pro ceednG. and when ho had finished he pro , duced large well-worn pockct-book iron the midst of curious collection of needles hanks of thread, fishing hooks and odd but tons, and selected . scrap of paper whicl , had been cut from some newspaper. , TO BE CONTINUED.
 TFaining the Deg. ] Dithmar-Why arc you fishing fo,