The National tribune., 1894-10-25
BY
Charles Nng,

, you give this note to John Holmes, The
| skipper of the Comet, he'll take you"
"Thankee," said Harrington, but by Dt
means gracefully. Then he stood mo-
ment, fidgeted, and coughed.
"Yes," said Genth, who easily read these
tokens, III advance you months pay
Here is half; the rest I'll send to youl
wife. If she wants more while you are a.
sea she shall have it,"
"Why can't / take the lot?" asked Har
rington, querously. Cant you trust me /? >
Pm afraid not"
GOOD afternoon" said the budding
smacksman and he turned on his heel.
"Stop minute" said Genth. Take
the money. | thought you might be
tempted And now listen, Tom. If you dc
90, | wish You luck. Make one trip and
directly your foot again touches Herring
bourne quay l will find you something
better. Here is my hand on it,"
The angry flush on Harrington's face
died away, the shifty look in his eyes van
! ished. and his form suddenly Strengthened
for time only. Then the old expression
came back, his shoulders dropped, and NUT
tering something he shambled out. When
he was gone Genth restlessly paced the
this He thought of little house on the
hill and garden overlooking the sea, wnere
old Ned Hall, the retired master of the
floating light, had eked out his pension and
bis life. And sweet Nelly Hall of the
laughing blue eyes aud chestnut hair.
Were those eyes now dim, the cheeks care
worn, the fingers with sigh he closed
his books, put the key in the Office door,
and, paler than usual, stepped out upon the
pavement.
Contrary to Genth HurIey's expectations
Tom Harrington took the berth offered him.
4 week after the interview in the Office he
sailed in the Comet for the fishing grounds
of the North Sea. Eight weeks, long and
dreaTy to those at sea, soon pass ashore. To
Genth, in the Office, time few. The morn
ing the Comet was due again found him
neryously pacing the quay. He had made
his plans. This trip would prove Toms
salvation. He had found a desk for him
in the Office. and under his own eye Har-
Tington should commence the new life.
Though Genth's mind was busy, his eyes
kept straying down the harbor; and at last
he heard the pant, pant, of tug and saw
her reG-banded funnel passing the lower
ferry. Astern was daGdy-rlgged trawleT.
Scores of smacks and luggers were already
moored at the quay side, and what with
scandalized sails, masts, shrouds, and dang
ling halliards, it was minute or two before
he could make her out. When the snake
like coil of the tow-rope was cast off and
the tug sheered out, Genth saw the new
conner was the Comet. He made step for
ward, then stopped as if he had been shot.
H. II,
was flying her fag half-mast high 1t was
not the first time Genth had beheld that ON
inous sign, but roW it turned him faint
In his mind ran one thought-suppose it
was flying for Tom Harrington He stood
for a minute fascinated, then walked gloom
lily back 10 the Office He sat there with
his face buried in his hands, when the open
ing of the door, the sound of sea boots, and
the voice of Holmes aroused him. q ken
see, owner" he said, you ha' been on the
quay"
Tell me- said Genth, with dry lips,
"whom have you lost?"
The skipper Of the Comet passed large e
hand through his oakum-textured hair.
well, owner" he said slowly, "Ill speak
the truth. 'Twor this way: the wind were
east -
In Gods name!" cried Gentb, "who is
it?n
To sail straight to the pint, owner tits
the new deck chap"
Genth looked at him helplessly. Har-
rington! He had made all his little plans
and a greater Hand than his had swept
them away. When did this take place Z" +"
he asked.
I" The night afore larst. We wor a-comin'
home" said Holmes, directing his gaze TO a
nautical almanac and telling his tale to il
as it hung on a nail, WIZ the wind east
nOr'east; | had jest fixed the port an star
board lights an wos taking q spell at the
tilIer. All of suddent sees a great green
sea a-comin', which knew we'd ship, an |
sung out to the chaps to keep below. Jest
as the werds passed my lips someone
popped out o. the hOodway companion
The sea an him must ha' touched the Com
cts deck at the same time, an afore could
clutch him he wos swept over the starboard
rail. / hulled belt at him an put the til
Ter up. Almost as sune as we gat about.
our boat was launched, an the chaps were
in her. They pulled like madmen; but you
know, owner, how fast drowndin' man
drifts to wind'ard. They could never git
nigh him; an when picked the crew O.
the boat up they wor done for. They
couldn't ha' pulled another stroke for the
Indies. AM the deck chap wos gone All
we picked up wos this" He held up O
soiIed sou'wester.
"You must report it," said Genth, heav-
ily-"its all you can do now"
Holmes nodded, and slouched away.
When he was gone Geuth went to his
desk and drew from it 4 sheet Of note paper
on it WAS written the number OF row"
And / must break the news" he said
On bleak January afternoon, two years
later, man came through the tollgate. TIC
save mile or SO, he had reached Herring
| bourne by a cherries, treeless cut called
the New Road He was thin and bearded.
His clothes were shabby and his steps un-
certain. AS he rendered the half-penny toll
his fingers burned like fire. The sun went
down as he came through the gate, and the
traveller shivered. An easterly wind was
blowing l. lay in wait for him as he
rounded a corner, and a roaring gust
brought him up gasping for breath. But
still he wearily plodded on. At last he
| stopped before row." went up it, and
| then stopped again in front of house with
| the shutters closed. On them was chaIked
ITO Let" In a dazed sort of way he
| looked at the letters, then made his way tc
the quay Here he halted at the office M