The National tribune., 1896-07-23
By w ". .Jscoss'

"The other day said, very nasty, Is there
anything else you'd like, my dear p but she
didn't understand it,"
mop said the Captain.
No." said Pepper "She said ! was very
kind, and she'd like the clock and, what's
more, she had it, too! Red-'aired hussy !"
The Captain poured out some gin and
drank it slowly. 1t was evident he was
thinking deeply, and that he was much
affectd by his friends troubles
There is only one way for me to get
clear" said Pepper, as he finished thrilling
recital of his wrongs, "and that Is, to find
Capt Budd, her first"
"Why, he's dead y said Crippen, staring
hard. Don't you waste your time looking
for him,"
"rm not going TO-" said Pepper; but
here's his portrait. He was q big man like
you he had blue eyes and straight, hand
some nose, like you. If he'd lived to now,
he'd be almost your age, and very likely
more like you than ever. He was sailor /;
you've been sailor
The Captain stared at him in bewider-
ment.
He had a wonderful way with wimmen,"
pursed Jackson hastily you've got won
derful way with wimmin. More than that,
you've got the most wonderful gift for act
ing I've ever seen. Ever since the time
when you acted i'll that barn at Bristol I've
never seen any actor can honestly say I've
liked-neyer. Look how you can initiate
cats-better than Henry Irving himself"
q never had much chance, being at sea
all my life," said Crippen modestly.
You've got the gift" said Pepper i'm
pressiyely. 1T was born in you, and you'll
never leave off acting till the day of your
death. You couldn't if you tried-yOu
know You couldn't"
The Captain smiled deprecatingly.
Now, ! want you to do performance
for my benefit continued Pepper I" ] want
Won TO act Cap'n Bndd, what was lost in the
Dolphin 80 years ago There's only one man
in England I'd trust with the part aud
that's you"
"Act Cnp'n Buddl" gasped the astonished
Crippen, putting down his glass and staring
at his friend.
THE part is written here" said the ex-
pilot, producing notebook from his breast
pocket and holding it out to his friend.
I've been keeping log day by day OF all
the things she said about him, in the hopes
of catching her tripping, but | never did.
There's notes of his family, his ships and
lot OF silly things he used to say, which she
thinks funny"
81 couldn't do it! " said the Captain, seri-
ously, as he took the book.
"You could do it if yen liked" said Pep
per. Beside, think what a spree it'll be
for You. Learn it by beart, then come down
and claim her. Her names Martha
What good 'ud it do you if / did," in
quired the Captain Shed soon fud it
outi"
you come down to Sunset Bay" said
Pepper, emphasizing his remarks with his
foefnger; lyon claim your wife; you
allude carefully to the things set down in
this book; give Martha back TO you and
bless you both. Then D.
Then what?" inquired Crippen anxi-
ously.
You disappear" concluded Pepper, tri-
umphantiy; and, OF course, believing her
first husband is alive, she has to leave me.
She's very particular woman and, be-
sides that, I'd take care to let the neighbors
know Pm happy. You're happy, and, if
she's not happy, why, she don't deserve to
ben
III think it over,n said Crippen, "and
write and let you know"
Make up your mind now" urged Pepper,
reaching over and patting him eucouTagingly
upon the shoulder. "If you promise TO do it,
the things a. good as done. Lord / think
/ see you now, coming in at that door aud
surprising her Talk about acting"
Is she what you'd call good-looking
woman?" inquired Crippen.
Very handsome! &" said Pepper, looking
out of the window.
u couldn't do it," said the Captain. 1t
1l.,f, H. s.xi,X f,.~
a. don't see that" said Pepper. "I
never ought to have married her without
being certain her first was dead. 1t amt
right, Crippen; say what you like, it amt
right"
"If you put it that way" said the Cap
tain, hestatingly.
Have some more gin," said the artful
pilot.
The Captain had some more, and, what
with latlery and gin, combined with the
the affair more iavorably. Pepper stuck 10
his guns, and used them so well that when
the Captain saw him off that evening he
was pledged mp to the hilt to come down to
Sunset Bay and peTsonate the late Capt.
Budd OH the following Thursday.
The ex-pilot passed the intervening days
in sort of trance, from which he only
emerged 10 take nourishment or answer the
seedlings of his wife. On the eventful
Thursday, however, his mood changed, and
he went about in such state of suppressed
excitement that he could scarcely keep still
'Lor' bless mel" snapped Mrs. Pepper,
as he slowly perambnlated the parlor that
afternoon. What ails the man? Can't
you keep still for five minutes ?"
The exploit stopped and eyed her solemn
ly, but ere he could reply his heart gave n
great bound, for from behind the geranium
which filled the window he saw the face of
Capt. Crippen slowly rise and peer cautious
ly into the room. Before his wife could fol-
low the direction of her husbands eyes, it
had disappeared.
Somebody looking in at the window
TO his wiie's eyebrows
Like their impudence!" said the I'M
conscious woman, resuming her knitting,
while her husband waited in vain for the
Captain 10 enter.
He waited some time, and then, half-dead
with excitement, sat down, and with shak-
ing fingers lit his pipe. As he looked up,
the stalwart figure Of the Captain passed the
window. During the next 90 minntes it
passed seven times, and Pepper, coming to
the not unnatural conclusion that his friend
intended to pass the afternoon i'll the same
Improbable fashion, resolved to force his
hand. 81
Must be tramp he said, aloud.
"Who?" inquired bis wife.
Man keeps looking in at the window"
said penper desnerately * Gems lookinc