Evening star., 1896-03-14
Copyright, 1885, by Bacheller, johnson Baeheller.)
PART /.

HS
Copyright, 1885, by Bachelor johnson s Baeheer.)
PART i.
Capt Poison sat in his comfortable par
lor smiling benignly upon his daughter and
sister. His ship after an absence of eight
cen months was once more berthed In the
small harbor of Sunset bay. and the cap
tain was sitting in that state of good-na-
ture1 affab;lity which invariably character
ized his first appearance after a long alb
sence.
NO news this end, 1 suppose?' he in
quired, after lengthy recital of most ex-
traordinarily Uninterestir adventure.
Not much." said his sister Jane, looking
nervously at her niece. Young Metcalfe
has gone into partnership with his father"
II don't want to hear about those
sharks said the captain, waxing red
tell me about honest men,"
Joe Lewis has had months imprison
ment for stealing fowls said Miss Poison,
meekly. Mrs. Purton has had twins; dear
little fellows they are, fat as butter She
has named one of them Poison after you
the greedy one
ANY deaths?'' inquired the captain,
snappishly, as he eyed the innocent lady
suspiciously.
Poor old Jasper Wheeler has gone said
his sister; ''he vas very resigned. He bor-
rowed enough money to get big doctor
from London, and when he heard that there
was no hope for him, he said he was just
longing to go. and he was sorry he couldn't
take all his dear ones with him. Mary
Hewscn is married to Jack Draper, and
young Metcalfe's banns go up for the third
time next Sunday
Il hope he gets a tartar" said the vindic-
tive captain. Who's the girl? Some silly
little fool, I know. She ought to be
warned"
Il don't believe in interfering in mar
riages." said his daughter Chrissie, shaking
her head :agely-
Oh said the captain, staring, you
don't? Now you've put your hair up and
taken to wearing long frocks. 1 suppose
you're beginning to think of 1t"
"Yes; arntie wants to tell you some
thing said the daughter, rising and cross
sNo, don't" said Miss Poison. hastily.
You'd better do It," said Chrissie, CIV
ing her a little push; there's dear. I'll
go up and lock myself in my room"
The face OF the captain while this con-
versation was passing was a study In sup
pressed emotions. He was = firm advocate
deck into private life. the only drawback
being that he had to leave behind him the
language usual in that locality. TO this
omission he usually ascribed his failures:
''Ssit down, Chrissie." he commanded; "sit
down. Jane Now, miss. what's all this
Il don't like to tell you." said chrissie,
folding her hands in her lap Il know
you'll be C, oss. You're so unreasonable"
The captain stared-frightfully.
I'm goirg to be married said Chrissie,
suddenly. 'There! To Jack Metcalfe-
there, So you'l have to learn to love him
He's going to try and love you for my
sake"
To his sisters dismay. the captain got up
TO and fro By these simple but unusual
means decorum was preserved.
IF you were only boy" said the cap
tain. when he had regained his seat, Il
should know what to do with you"
IF were a boy" said Chrissie. who hav-
ing braced herself up for the fray. meant to
go through with it,. Il shouldn't want to
"Jane," said the captain, in voice which
made The lady addressed start in her chair,
what do you mean by it?'
1T isn't my fault" said Miss Poison.
seebly. Il told her how 1t would be. And
was so gradual. He admired my gera-
niums at first and. of course. I was de-
.eived. There many people who ad-
nire my gerariums. whether it is because
the window has a south aspect
OH said the captain, rudely; "that'n
do. Jane If he wasn't a lawyer, I'd go
round and break his neck. Chrissie is only
nineteen. and she'll come for years cruise
with me. Perhaps the sea air'n strengthen
her head Well see who's master il this
family
I'm sure I don't want to be master"
said his daughter, taking a weapon of fine
cambria out of her pocket. and getting
ready for action. Il can't help liking peo-
pie Auntie likes him. too. Don't you,
auntie?'
Yes said Miss Poison, bravely.
VERY good" said the autocrat promptly
TIL take you both for cruise
You're making me very unhappy" said
Chrissie. burying her face in the handker-
chief.
you'll be more unhappy before I've
done with you," said the captain. grimly
And while I think of It, I'll step around
and stop those banns."
His daughter caught him by the arm as
he was passing and laid her face on his
she walled.
''That'I make it easier for you to come
to sea with me- said her father. Don't
cry all over my sleeve. I'm going to see
Parson- Run upstairs and play with your
COILS and If you re good girl I'll bring
you in some sweets"
He put on his hat, and, closing the front
door with bang. went off to the new
rector to knock two years off the age which
his daughter kept for purposes of matri-
n.Cny- The rector grieved at such duplicity
IN one so young. met him more than half
way and he came from him smiling
placidly until his attention was attracted
by young man on the other side Of the
road who was regarding him with manifest
awkwardness.
Good evening. Capt Poison" he said
crossing the road.
Oh said the captain, stopping Il
wanted to speak to you. 1 suppose you
wanted TO marry my daughter while 1 was
cut of the way to save trouble Just the
manly thing should have expected of YOU
I've stopped the banns. and I'm going to
take her FOR voyage with me. You'll
have to look elsewhere. my lad"
The ill-feeling is all on your side, cap
tain said Metcalfe, reddening
tI-feeling? snorted the captain; you
Put me in the witness box and made me
laughing stock In the place with your silly
ATTEMPTS at jokes. lose ME five hundred