Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-09-09
Tor the fshIng Grounds Of the NOrlh

1
quay. He had made his plans. This
trip would prove Toms salvation. DE
had found desk for him in the office,
and under his own eye Harrington
soould commence the new life.
Genth saw the new conner WAS the
Comet. He made step forward, then
stopped as If he had been shot. His
eyes were glued to the rigging. She
was flying her flag at half mast-sup-
pose it was flying for Tom Harrington
The skipper Of the Comet passed q
large hand through his oakum te1tured
! hair. "Well, owner" he said, slowly,
"Ill speak the truth. 'Swor this way:
The wind were east"--
''In Gods name" cried Genth, "who
is it?"
''To sail straight to the pint, owner,
tits the new deck chap.
1--WE wor a-conin' home" said
Holmes, directing his gaze to nautical
almanac and telling bis tale 10 it, as 1t
hung on a nail, "wi' the wind east.
nor'east. | had jest fixed the port an
starboard lights an wos taking spell
at the tilsr.
"All Of a student sees sgreat green
sea a-comin' which | knew we'd ship,
an sung our to the chaps 10 keep be-
low. Jest as the words passed my lips
some one popped out Of the hoodway
(compaaiop). The sea an him must ha'
| touched-the Comets deck at the same
time, an afore l could clutch him he
wos sweep: over the starboard rail.
They could never glt 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.
An the deck chap wos gone. All we
picked up wos this"-he held up a sOiled
/ SOU wester.
When he was gone Genth went to his
desk and drew from it sheet Of note
paper. On it was written the number
Of row"
And 1 must break the news" he
said.
On a bleak January afternoon, two
years later, man came through the
tollgate. To save mile or so be had
reached Herring bourne by cherries,
treeless cut called the New road.
He was thin aRd bearded. His
clothes were shabby and his steps I'M
certain. As he rendered the half
penny toll his fingers burned like fire.
The sun went down as be passed
through the gate and the traveller
shivered.
At last he stopped before "row, :"
went up to it, and then stopped again In
front OF a house with the shutters cloG-
ed. On them was chalked, ITO let"
In o dazed sort of way he looked at
the letters, then made his way TO the
quay. Here he halted at the Office Of
Hurey's fleet. With a trembling hand
he tried the door. 1t was locked.
He was looking at the black bough OF
tree that tapped noisiIY against q
lighted lamp, when a smacksman came
past The weary object stopped him
aud asked him where Hurley lived. He
was told, and with sigh went on again,
this time toward the drive.
The wind blew fiercer; it gathered
the white fakes together and hurled
them into his face till they blinded him.
Staggering, clutching at iron rails, and
turning his face to them when the
strong gusts swept off the sea, he went
on till he reached the gate of the house
where the blinds were parted and the
room illumined by gas jets and mer-
nv leaping fire.
BY the fire a man sat reading. 1t was
Genth Hurley. The stranger outside
opened the gate, and he pulled the bell.
1t was answered by servant, who
gaZed at him curiously. He asked II he
could see the smack owner.
"Of course you cau," she said, sharp
". But shake some of the snow of. ("
"Come in," cried Genth cheerily-
"come in, my man. You wanted TO see
me?"
In hesitating way the other stepped
forward. Particles of snow had melted
on his beard and hung in glistening
drops.
Don't you know ne, Hurlsy?" he
asked in trembling tone. II wonder
If Nell will know me? I'm Tom Har-
ringtou."
With a strange, curling cry Gepth
fell back and clutched al the mantsl-
piece. He seemed turned TO stone. mo,
mol" gasDed Genth hoarsely: mot him!
not Tom harrington He was drowned
at seal!
mot drowned" said the other, and
his voice sounded so gentle, so unlike
the Harrington Of old, that there was
plenty OF room for miStakiug his ident-
ity, "but picked up by schooner when
he had lost all hope. l was carried to
a strange place and l had the fever. |
have been TO some strange places, but
I'm home now, aud want to find Nell.
You'll tell me where she lS?'
As he put the question there sounded
a ripping laugh, then the joyous snatch
Of a song, as some one tripped down the
stairs. The wanderers face grew
bright. He held up his hands.
Listen la cried, breathlessly.
That is NelPsvoice! My Nelll That
is the song she used to sing long ago.
Why. she is here, Hurley-she is"
A puzzled look stole over Harrington's
face. 1t cleared, and he, too, began to
trembe.
Your wife!" he whispered. "You
have married her. You thought me
dead! l am going-I am goingm He
put his hand out to feel for the door.
He was trying to find the handle, when
il swung open and Nell stood on the
threshold. He gave low sob and tried
TO pass her. She tried to sec his face.
He lifted his head, their eyes met,
and, with scream, she sank to the
floor.
An hour later a doctor came. He
looked at Harrington. who had been
put TO bed and shook his head.
Pm no use, " he said. Gold, expos
ure, debiltated constitution. The
man has been dying for weeks. He
NAV last the night, but doubt it.
UrodYoilu