The Forrest City times., 1891-04-10
A MAIDEN FAIR.
DY CHARLES GIBBoN.
CHAPTER ylI.-CoNrINUED

ClIAYTER Nus-CONTINUED
 But in the midst of hs triumph, the Mcv> mGtd suddenly slackened speed, and then the engine stopped altogether. Annie stood still, looking across the water at a smack which was sailing towards them.
 "Is there anything the matter?" inquired Cargill in surprise.
 "Oh, no, nothing the matter; only there's MT. Ross coming"
 Cargill looked as if the shadow of the blackest cloud which followed them had fallen on his face.
 Then there came shout from the distance of Mermaid ahoyv And presently the boat glided up beside the steamer. A little figure climbed up her side and Bob Ross stood on the deck. A wave of his hand to his comrades below to signify ''all right, ? the little boat dropped astern, and the pad dles of the Mermaid moved again. Then he turned to shake hands with Annie, but did not stay to speak more than a few words of greeting to her. He hastened to the cap tain.
 There was such a change in the manner of the girl! And yet it was change of so quiet nature that it was only perceptible to the eyes of jealousy. Dull of wit as Car gill might be, jealousy made him keen of vision. From the impassive listener to his rhodOmontade, courteous because he was her fathers guest, she became buoyant in mood and bright in face, answering him briskly on every subject he mooted, giving him with singular cordiality more than all the information he desired as to the man. agement of the vessel and the various points of the coast which they passed. For as it was clear day they were enabled to hug the coast line, and even the houses could be dis tinguished with the naked eye, so far.
 But suppose now if the man at the wheel happened for a little while to neglect his duty and you were passing rocky shore, what would be the consequence?' he in- Qnired, as one anxious for information.
 Well, if the wind blew landward we should come to grief.' she replied, smiling. But you need not be afraid of that with my father and Mir. Ross on board"
 'Oh, ana not afraid, he said pompous- ly; but wanted information in the man. agement of boat, as think of buying a yacht, and your father is 10 arrange the mat ter for me if l should decide upon it. But that will depend upon somebody else"
 And he looked at her, meaning that she should understand who the somebody was. She did not choose to understand but an- swered as If she were interested il tue pro- ject
 'It would be . fine enjoyment for you to go sailing about wherever you liked; bu. hope you would not think of managing tho boat yourself at first"
 Certainly not; but the somebody is quite able to do it-only of course she would not be required to do 1t. She would, however, control our skipper, whoever he might be, and hot bo ,1lo raJ Inx for instance, keeping us in port for his own purposes when we wanted to go out by pre- tending that the wind was dead against us |; or there was storm coming-and so on. She would know all about it and set him right"
 Still she would not understand.
 NIt Is not usual for any one to interfere with tho skipper" she said, without the slightest alteration of tone or manner; "and no man that ken'd his trade woald allow it."
 But supposing you were to sec a man making dangerous mistake-he might know his trade but be drunk perhaps-,lou would not stand by and permit it to con tinue at the risk of the lives of all on board?"
 "Ay, but the man that got drunk when at his work would not ken his trade" she an- swered, in a tone of contempt for such an Individual as had been probematically sug- Eested to her.
 The answer and the manner in which it was given apparently afforded Cargll much satisfaction, for he did not at that moment further attempt to impress upon her that the yacht he spoke of was to be bought for her if his suit prospered.
 She was too happy to be annoyed by his and he was not mistaken as to the immediate source of her good-nature Me saw her speaking frequently to Ross, and although he could not hear them, he could easily guess the purport of their con versation, and he was several times success full in interrupting them. He noted with what glee she waited upon him at meals on which occasions they were generally alone together in the cabin, for, of course, when Ross was below, Captain Duncan was on deck.
 Once, standing by the en sky-light he heard this part of their con ersation.
 You mind, Annie, that when this trip is over Pm to speak to your father"
 ''Oh, yes, mind; and can give you good news. From something he said to me, l think he'll maybe na be much against it."
 Cargill walked away with teeth hard set and frowning brow.