Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-06-03
THE TAR'S RETURN.

l. llI l. hlO ~ lOlI l. ~ lO4Ns
had been sailing along on a topgallant
breeze. My last three voyages had brought
"sugar" to my locker, and I was looking
forward to settling down quietly as sort
of amphibious animal at Lancing. The
g2OO I had saved would help me to buy a
fishing boat and leave little to furnish a
snug place knew of for Elsie and me.
Elsie Beal was as taut craft as you
would find in any port had known her
when she was not much higher than my
sea chest. She had seen me off on my first
voyage, and when returned she was one
of the first to greet me- OF course we be
came sweet carts, and Though they say
that a sailor has q sweetheart in every port
there was only one knew of in which my
heart was anchored.
"Elsie, my lass" had said to her, just
before going on my last voyage, sits
about time we settled down. So, If you've
no objection, we'l get spliced when 1 re-
turn"
My lass put her little hand in my big
rough one, and-she kissed me. What
palmer signal could tar have than that?
And here was returning-the last voy-
age over-wlth nothing but fair weather
sailing before me. How longed to finish
that bright picture of domestic happiness
which I had been filling In all the way
from the Indies!
didn't expect to find her when I
reached Southampton, but I must say
that was disappointed when ! didn't find
her waiting for me at the railroad station,
for had sent her telegram saying exact
ly when I'd reach Lancing. hurried to
her home but she WASH t there. Her moth
er said she had gone to Worthing, but she
was expecting her in every minute.
Presently my lass came in. But l
couldn't make her out. Her greeting was
cold. She wasn't the happy Elsie I had
left. was SO full Of the future-of the
home and the boat was going to set up
that didn't trouble much about 1t at the
time.
Next morning paid visit to old limbs
boathouse along the coast. He had always
taken an interest in me and my voyages,
and wanted to talk over with him the
boat intended building. When entered,
old limbs was gossiping to swell of q
fellow about ships, sailing and navigation
generally. AS I reckoned knew some.
thing of navigation, put in my spoke.
"Who Is our nautical friends" said the
gent in tone of voice that didn't like.
"Paul Allison" said old limbs, "jeest
back from the Injies and jinun tar OF
the first water"
"Ohp' said the gent looking at me
through an eyeglass. After that inspection
he went out.
"And who is that swell, TimbsP" ]
asked.
IA swell he is. His name Is Mr.. viii.
lerby Seaton, and he's a staying at Worth
ing, but he comes down here for his boat.
ing"
Well, after had had my chat with old
limbs went to sec Elsie. AS reached
the cottage CHANGED to glance down the
lane running at the side.
Could it bep Yes, had no doubt of 1t.
There was Elsie taking leave Of a stranger,
and that stranger was the man I had seen
in the boathouse-Mr. Willoughby Seaton.
I waited at the door till she came up.
When she saw me, she turned white as a
new trimmed sailing sheet.
"Elsie," said I, that's strange craft
saw you with just now"
"Why, Paul, you're not going to be jeal-
ousp He's only visitor in these parts,
who's been very kind to Granny Mills
the old lady's down with rheumatism, you
know. I met him when was visiting
there, and I couldn't do more than say
Good day to him, could Is'
I looked very sheepish after that and
quickly steered off in another direction.
talked to her about our coming marriage,
about the little nest was preparing and
the boat intended building to DO called
after her-the Elsie
] 1t must have been three days after that
when, on coming down to my breakfast,
found note awaiting me. It ran:
DEAR PAuL-Don't think anything more Of
me. / am unworthy Of you By the time you
read this shall have married another. Forget
and forgive. ELSIE.
It was long time before moved after
reading this heartless note. was like one
smitten with paralysis. When did move,
1t was to curse the man, Mr.. Willoughby
Seaton, as guessed who had done me
this great wrong.
built that boat, but it wasn't called
the Elsie. I christened 1t the Maria, after
the woman who, year later, became my
wife. People round about were talking Of
me, you see, as the Tilted man, and as !
didn't care for that sort of pity married.
never regretted 1t, for II ever woman
WsSs born to comfort q disappointed man,
it was Maria Esterbrook. A son came te
us, and as the boat was christened after
tbn, wife it was only flt and proper that the
(boy should be christened after his father
IPaul Allison.
Things went along pretty prosperously
with me- Sometimes the old wound would
Reopen bit; then, when looked at little
paul, it would close again. After all
WAS happy. Could she, that false one, say
The same?
I Paul had reached his tenth year. I have
tcause to recollect that night. The March
Swind had been sweeping in big gusts over
khe sands, sending them like needles into
3the flesh. The waves had risen into fury,
9writhing, leaping and curling in the churn
Jbf old Father Neptune.
il There was no light of stars or moon, and
lthen tho hail descended In hurricane.
I}had a difficulty in reaching home, though
knew every inch Of the road, so dark waa
1t.
can awful night, Paul." said my wife,
taking from me my wet oilskins.
Eyes lass-awful 1t Is. There'll be
many wrecks tonight.
"God grant there'll be none in these
partsl''
Little Paul had Just brought me my
slippers, and the words were scarcely out
Of INV mouth when there came the boom.
ing Of gun.
Boom, boom, booml
Maria looked at me. Her face va