The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1892-06-23

clay inside"
at amt right to live 90" returned
Sister Martha, taking in the scene with
her hOusewifely glance. You're a
woman hater, Capn Bligh, and guess
you've found out you can't manage Q
house as you would u three master. :"
A strange look came into the captains
face, something between a Satirical
smile and q terrible. black frown. Il
don't suppose you have come here to
talk me over" he said sharply. as he
seated himself with his back to the light,
but where the Widow Whitcumb. gently
swaying back and forth her stout per-
son in the rocking chair. presented q
fair target for his keen eyes.
ayes. have" she answered. plucking
up courage, as she fused with tho
fringes Of her mantle. 1--WE come to
talk about what you air. and what you
might have been and ought to have been
"a better and happier man."
well" said he, in tone Of grim re-
straint that his schooner hands under
stood Us sign Of tempest piping up in
the shrOuds. pay out your hawser
II you must. Mrs. Whitcumb. Ill 30
dumned II | can make out your bear
ings. or which way you are tryin to
steer"
Don't use foul lanSwidSe. George
BliSh. In the presence Of woman.
Them sailor Oaths are repugnant to my
feelins. It's not associatin with the sex
for SO many years that's made you what
you are. George. and its the greatest Of
pities, for you had in you the maxim Of .
fnR mani may say Il splendid man.
And you know was Twin. when we both
WAS young, at Mother Mayhew's asa sort
Of left handed connexion Of the fam
lily. dom SEWN and helpin with the
homework; and Vinie was Just grown up
then. Well. yes; do suppose Vinie was
as pretty rs u picture-all pink and white
and the sweetest hair falling around her
head in big loose ringlets. didn't Won
der you admired Vinie. George. but !
knew then she hadn't any physical stam-
my. Her hands were always weak and
white. she couldn't lift or work hard,
and you, George, needed wife that
could help you along-could go in and
rough it II there was any need: and
there was more than one woman in this
town that would have been glad to do 1t.
Bat. Of course, with land adjoining and
yOu Twin neighbors and seem her every
time you was home from sea. you fell in
love with Vinie But she wasn't the one
cut out for you. always knew it and
50 did Mother Mayhem, partly on NC.
count Of Vinie's being such a weaklin
and partly because she knew you would
never be professin Christian"
A slight CULVER seemed to pass over
the captains strong frame, and when
Mrs. Whitcumb came to pause he was
silent moment before he put out his
hand and said in strange. hoarse voice,
II won't hear any more of this"
You've got To hear it, said the widow
In tremulous tones. sitting bolt upright
in the rocking chair. Il can't go on this
way, much longer with my appetite
comm and goin like the old woman's
soap. and me u turnin u marigold yell
low that always had good. clear skin,
and my nights on n bod Of thorns instead
Of a good hair mattress with the best
springs."
For Gods sake try to keep before the
wind" inuttered the captain. Us he puck
cred his forehead and moved impatiently
In his chair.
"You know" she went on nervously,
lit was ut that time Josiah Whitculnb
was paying attention to me. Josiah was
a kind Of lubberly. thick skulled boy,
bat he had inherited good farm ct
Bath FROM his father, Deacon Whitcumb
that was, Mother Mayhew's first hus-
band, and his mother wanted to get him
married of. There wasn't many girls
that would look at Josiah in spite Of the
farm. and Mother Mayhem worried
good deal about It. She thought 1t would
be just the maxim Of Josiah to get mar
ried, and bein right there In the family
and havin nothing Of my own 1t did look
rs II it might lie intended. Mother May.
hew was always talking about the pint
ings Of providence. She wac q very re-
ligious woman. But you see couldn't
love Josiah no way. never pretended
loved him even when thought 1t best
to take him. | was q girl then. and |
had my fancy for a dark man, with a
fine fgger and a high spirit. always
did admire high strung men. and willis
you was loOkin at vinie, Cap'n Bligh,
was lOokin at you, which ] hadn't
ought to-"
Here she paused, and fumbling in her
pocket for her handkerchief put 1t to her
eyes.
Go onF'' shouted the captain impa.
tiently. for Gods sake let's warp into
dock"
Sister Martha had turned pale under
the sallow tint Of her skin.
"Cap'n Bligh." she faltered. "a feel as
II was exposin myself dreadfully. but
I've got to do 1t. Have you got that
Testament you saved from your last ship
wreck along with the deInijohn Of whis.
kyS ! want to see IT,"
The captain got up and strobe to his
bedroom, adjoining the room they were
In. Mrs. Whitcumb could SEQ through
the open door the tulnbled bed and a
confusion Of garments. He seemed to be
searching for some time in the drawers
Of a bureau, whirling over the cOntents
with large, impatient hand. At length
be came out. bringing small thick vol
ume bound in leather. with the leaves
discolored and the covers warped b, .
wetting In salt water. Mrs. Whitcumh
took 1t and turned to the fly Leaf.
Its got your sister AngelinS's name
in 1t, !" she said. land guess you'd have
to respect an oath II you took it ON this
book"
The cantain waa standing befora her