The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-07-15

A broad plank extended from the
wharf across the bulwarks. The man
in the apron came forward.
Il wish to see Capt Sprowl," said
she
Yes, min. Come right aboard, min.
on that there plank. MINI The cap
tain's down in his cabin, MINI"
Eta Bourne stepped hastily along
the plank, and the stout cook, putting
his broad palms under her elbows, lift
ed her lightly to the deck.
This way, mim;" and he led her
around to the after companionway.
They went down the brass-railed
stairs. and, as the cook knocked at the
door, Eta noticed how spick and span
everything looked. AS matter of
fact. the captain, in view of lady
visit, had kept the cook securing the
wood and brass work all the forenoon.
Captain, sir, lady wishes to see
ye"
The captain, with half an hours
work in his four-in-hand. bowel re-
spectfully.
Il am Miss Bourne" began Eta: 81
came in response to your advertisement
in the Globe about "a"
Yes, ma'am," said the captain; ''this
is the place. Win you take seat?"
AS Eta sank into an easy chair she
glanced about her in establishment.
She had no idea that those little low
houses on ships deck were SO comfort
able as this.
Here was dainty little sitting-room,
with rich, soft carpet, hanging
lamp of elaborate design, huge, plush
easy chairs and sofa, pretty rattan
rocker and a table strewn with the
latest magazines.
Il beg your pardon" saidthe tall cap
tam, who had been looking curiously
at her; but are you not related to Miss
Annie Bourne, of Kennebunk?"
Why, yes, indeed; she is my own
sister," answered Eta, with animation.
Il used to go to school with her in
the old Brunswick aeadamy years age;
but l didn't know she had sister"
''Oh, yesl l went to the academy my
self, but it was after she graduated.
And was old Brown principal when
you were there?"
From this they went on for ten min
utes, and each knew so many that the
other did that they soon became old
acquaintance.
The captain at once noticed that she
was rem arkably neat and pleasant
little woman, and Eta Bourne thought
the captain fine looking man, tall and
strong.
well, Capt. Sprowl," said she,
finally, II mustn't forget what l came
for. l believe you have machine that
you wish to sell?'
why, yes" said the captain, wonder
ing what on earth this attr active young
woman could want of a sextant
And how did you come to want to
sell it?" pursued she, wondering what
use this sea captain had for type
writer.
We'll, the fact is, said the captain,
reddening a little, Il bought a new
one the other day, when l didn't really
need it, and of course l haven't use for
two. And" continued he, ''since turn
about is fair p ay, l am going TO ask
you what you want of one"
ITO earn living with" said she.
The captain looked puzzled, as he
went into his stateroom to get the
sextant. He had heard that women
were becoming the rivals of men in al
most every trade and profession, and
he vaguely wondered if Miss Bourne
was intending some time to become
Capt. Bourne.
Well" said he, coming back and
holding the seXtant out toward her,
''here it is. The ivory on the scale is
little yellow, and the vernier glass has
a little crack across the outer edge.
but
He stopped. Miss Bourne was hold
ing up her hands with amazement
''Why-why-whatis this?" she STAN
mered.
why, it's sextant," said the cap
tain. Il thought you knew what they
looked like"
But there's some misunderstanding
here. 1 don't have any use for SEX
tant. 1t was typewriter that I under
stood you had to sell"
"A type writer!'' said the captain, as
-onished in turn. why, no. Here's
the advertisement, and he put the pa
per in her hands.
Now, as | have said, Eta Bourne was
a Maine Yankee; and in less than ten
seconds she had guessed how the mis-
take was made.
We'll, now" said the captain, 81
thought it was awful funny that a
should want to buy a sextant.
Now you have disappointed me, / don't
see how am going to sell it, unless
cave it at the instrument makers and
ct him get what he can for it"
Oddly enough, from this point this
story runs along so naturally that you |
IAN tell it yourself.
The tall captain escorted Miss Bourne |
lp town, called on her two or three |
lines while he was in port, correspond |
ID with her when he was away, and in |
ess than year this notice appeared in |
he marriage column of the Globe:
PROWL-BOURNE.-In Kennebunk. Ne, |
May 6 a the residence Of the bride 3 parents. |
Capt Edwin z Sprowl and Henrietta L /
Bourne
And now my story is done--Edgar (
/ ates, in Boston Globe.
IF Iwere 20 ask you TO marry me .