The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1892-10-05

fore he went to the Office to gather in
the replies from people who were anxious
to buy a sextant.
But the sextant market was apparent
ly rather dull, for all the clerk could
give him was one solitary letter. The
captain tore the envelope open and tossed
it aside.
"I saw your advertisement in the
Globe" read the captain. 'I wiah to
buy good secondhand machine Of
standard make, and il the one you offer
is in perfect repair and the price is sat
isfactory, perhaps we can trade. But |
cannot give more than $50, and il you
ask moro you need not reply to this.
Send your address, stating where ma
chine can be seen, to II. e. Bourne, 450
Winter street."
"Wen," soliloquized the captain,
''I've got one answer, anyhow. But
what does a woman want of a sextaut-
for this is certainly a woman's writing2
| She seems to be in earnest though.
"And S50l Conscience Inever ex
pected to get more than $25. Well,
she'll have to come on board, l suppose,
so I'll send her my address," And
standing at the public desk he wrote:
He. Bourne-Dear Miss: Yours in re-
ply to my advertisement in the Globe is at
hand. Please call on me aboard the bark
Edna Dunn, Constitution wharf, between
and o. EDWIN X. SPRowL, Captain.
The next afternoon about o'clock
trim little figure walked rapidly over the
rough planks of Constitution wharf.
"It's queer place to find a second
hand typewriter, thought Eta Bourne,
"but suppose the captain got tired of
it, or couldn't use it because the vessel
pitched so, or something like that"
She saw the gilt letters, "Edna
Dunn" A fat, bald. headed man with
little gingham apron on looked out the
door of a box-like house in the middle
of the vessel.
A broad plank extended from the
wharf across the bulwarks. The man in
the apron came forward.
al wish to see Captain Sprowl," said
she.
"Yis, min. Come right aboard, MIN
on that there plank, min. The aptain
is down in his cabin, mim."
Eta Bourne stepped hastily along the
plank, and the stout cook, putting his
broad palms under her elbows, lifted her
lightly to the deck.
"This way, mim," and he led her
around to the fter-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 a matter of fact the captain, in
view of the lady's visit, had kept the
cook securing the wood and brasswork
all the forenoon.
"Captain, sir, lady wishes to see
ye."
The captain, with half an hours work
in his four-in- hand, bowed respect
fully.
''I am Miss Bourne" began Eta. al
came in response to your advertisement
in the Globe about "a"
eyes, ma'am," said the captain, "this
is the place. Will you take seat2"
AS Eta sank into an easy chair she
glanced about her in astonishment. She
had no idea that these little low houses
on ships deck was so comfortable 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.
''I beg your PARDON" said the tall
captain, who had been looking curiously
at her; "but are you not related to Miss
Annie Bourne, of KennebunkG"
"Why, yes, indeed; she is my own
sister," answered Eta, with animation.
''I used to go to school with her in
the old Berwick Academy, years ago; but
| didn't know she had sister,"
'sOh, yes, went to the academy my
self, but it was after she was graduated"
"And was old Brown principal when
you we're there9"
From this they went on for ten min
utes, and each knew so many that the
other did that they soon became old ac-
quaintances.
The captain at once noticed that she
was a remarkably neat and pleasant little
woman, and Eta Bourne thought the
captain a fine-looking man, tall aud
strong.
"Well, Captain sprowl," said she,
finally, al mustn't forget what l came
for. l believe you have machine that
you wish to sellG"
"Why, yes" said the captain, Won
dering what on earth this attractive
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 typewriter.
"Well, the fact is" said the captain,
reddening little. al bought a new one
the other day when l really didn't need
it, aud of course, haven't use for two.
And" continued he, "since turn about
is fair play, am going to ask you what
you want of one2"
'eTo earn living with, said she.
The captain looked puzzled as he went
into the stateroom to get the seKtant.
He had heard that women were becoming
the rivals of men in almost every trade
and profession, and he vaguely wondered
if Miss Bourne was intending sometime
TO become Captain Bourne.
"Wen," said he, coming back aud
holding the sextant out towards her,
"here it is. The ivory on the scale is a
little yellow, and the vernier glass has a
little crack across the other edge, but"
He stopped. Miss Bourne was hold
ing up her hands in amazement.