The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-07-24
H. nouavs,

EDWIN r. SpRowL. Captain
Inc next afternoon about four n trim
little figure walked rapidly over the
rough planks of Constitution wharf.
It's queer place to find second
hand typewriter" thought Eta Bourne,
but suppose the captain got tired of
1t, or couldn't use it because the vessel
pitched SO or something like that"
She saw the gilt letters Edna
Dunn" A fat, bald-hcaded man with a
little gingham apron on looked out ut
the door of IL box-lile house in the mid
die of the vessel
a broad plank extended from the
wharf across the bulwarks- The man
In the apron came forward.
II wish to see Capt Sprowl". said
She.
'Yes, min. Come right aboard, min,
on that there plank, min. The cop
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, min;'' and he led her
around to the after companionway.
They went down the brass-railed
stairs. and, as the cook knocked ut the
door, Eta noticed how spiel, and span
everything looked. AS Il matter of
fact, the captain, in view of lady's
visit, had kept the cook securing the
wood and brass work all the forenoon.
"Capt;lin, sir, lady wishes to see
ye."
The captain, with half an hours
work in his four-in-hand. bowed re-
specially.
Il am Miss Bourne" began Eta; II
came in response To your advertisement
in the Globe about "a
''Yes, a'ain," said the captain; this
is the place. viii you tukc Il 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 u dainty little sitting-room,
with rich, soft carpet, II hanging
lamp of elaborate design. huge, plush
easy chairs and sofa, n pretty rattan
rocker and Il table strewn with the
latest magazines.
Il beg your pardon" said,the tall cap
tam, who had been looking curiously
ut her; but are you not related to Miss
NiiHlc DouTDe, OF Nenne Dunkp'
why, yes, indeed; she is my own
sister" answered Eta. with animation.
II used to go to school with her in
the old brunswick acadamy years ago,
but didn't know she had sister"
'NOh. yes! l went to the academy my
self, but it was after she graduated"
And was old Brown principal when
you were therc?"
From this they went on for ten min
utes, and each knew so many that the
other did that they soon became old
acquaintances.
The captain at once noticed that she
was remarkably neat and pleasant
little woman, and Eta Bourne thought
the captain q fine looking man, tall and
strong.
"Wen, Capt. Sproyvl," said she,
finally, II mustn't forget what came
for. believe you have a 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.
'Well, the fact is" said the captain.
reddening little, 81 bought new
one the other day, when didn't really
need it, and of course 1 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"
TO earn living WITH" said She
The captain looked puzzled, as he
went into his stateroom to get the
sextant. lie had heard that women
were becoming the rivals of men in al
most every trade and profession, and
he vaguely wondered If iss Bourne,
was intending some time to become
Capt Bourne.
Well" said he, coming back and
holding the sextant out toward her,
there it is. The ivory on the scale is q
little yellow, and the vernier glass has
little crack across the outer edpa.
but"
He stopped Miss Bourne was hold
ing up her hands with amazement
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. this?s she stan,-
mered
why, it's sextant," said the cap
tain. II thought you knew what they
looked like"
but there's some misunderstanding
here don't have any use for q sex
tant- 1t was typewriter that I under
stood You had to SELL"
"A typewriter' said the captain, as
tonished in turn. "Why, no. Here's
the advertisement" and lie put the pa
per in her hands.
Now, as have said, Eta Bourne was
N,tyl =
seconds she had guessed how the mis-
take was made.
We'll. now" said the captain, IT