The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-09-12

ing in wide-open anxiety at a corner
of the coal-box; and the bill of ladipe
book. hurled with vigorous hand
narrowly missed its aim.
"The place is overrun with them
ma am," grumbled the old man. 81
have had my supper eaten out of my
pocket, when 1 took wink or two at
nights in the Sheds"
Silence again.
Footsteps sounded outside, and a
peremptory knock came to the door,
followed Immediately by the turning of
the handle, and tall, stoltly-built
man stood framed in the doorway. The
girl shrank back nervously, and low
exclamation broke from her lips. The
newcomer, of gentlemanly exterior,
with an imperious bearing, entered the
shipping box, his eyes falling at once
on the young lady occupant. In an an
cry tone, regardless of the other occu-
pants, he addressed her:
"You will return with me, young
lady. You shall pay dearly for this
escapade."
There was no response, but the girl
shrank farther into corner of the
apartment, while the clerk and the
Waterman stared in silent amazement.
Hastily stepping forward the in-
truder passionately seized the girl by
the arm.
"Come away, I say, or l shall drag
you out"
Excuse me, sir" slowly interposed
the shipping clerk, shut may / ask
what you have to do with this young
lady?"
"What, sir!" was the hot response.
This girl is my ward, and has run
away from my house. DO you hear,
girl" he almost shouted; 'come out of
this at once"
"No, no." was the shuddering reply,
and the girl burst into tears.
"This won't do, you know" inter
posed the shipping clerk, as he pro-
jected his lanky form close to the stran-
ger. whether she is your ward or
not, she is not going out of here unless
OF her own accord, and." he added, sar-
castlcally, ''if this is your usual little
way I don't wonder at her not being
over anxious to go along with YOU"
''Curse you, you fool! What do you
mean by your interference? was the
angry retort. II tell you, sir, I'm her
lawful guardian, and shall compel her
to accompany me-"
mo, l guess you won't, not so long
as am here" was the quiet rejoinGer
Pardon, lady, but do VOC wish to stay
here until the arrival of the Tuskar?
The place is quite at your service"
"Yes, yes" was the low reply, amid
broken sobs.
"Then, mister" continued the ship
ping clerk, 'this Office is not a public
one. and perhaps you will have the
goodness to get out of it."
That's your sort; out with him."
interjected the old Waterman, as he
gripped his stick threateningly.
"Look here, sir, there's my card. Ny
name is Gordon, and that's my address.
shall report your insolence to your
employers tomorrow morning."
"You can do what you like to-mor-
row, but out you go tonight" was the
reply, in an unconcerned tone. And
the two men stood facing each other.
the stranger pale with passion and his
opponent cool but firm.
The hoarse scream of assteam-horn
sounded near at hand, and almost stimuli
taneously came the roar of a deep
voice:
''Stand by for line ashore, there"
"Why, that's the Tuskar!" excitedIy
exclaimed the old watchman. "She
must have crawled into harbor unbc-
known to anybody" and with scart
ceremony he pushed past Mr.. Gordon
and hurried on the quay.
Duty babe the shipping clerk follow;
and he took few steps, then stopped,
as his eye caught an imploring gesture
from the girl.
"Come," peremptorily, "out of this,
Mr.. Gordon" and he hustled the stran-
ger out of the Office, locking the door
behind him. "Here, stand back" he
added, as the excited stranger seized
him violently by the throat. Islands
off, or I'll have you into the harbor."
Wrenching himself free, and paying
little heed to the curses both loud and
deep hurled after him, the shipping
clerk leapt on board the steamer just
hauling alongside and shook hands with
the captain, a young, open-faced, frank
spoken seaman.
"Any passengers on board, captain?"
"Passengers!" was the amused re-
Spouse. Expecting the duke of York,
or the emperor of Germany? Who do
you think would take passage on board
an old cargo-boat, eh?"
SWELL, that's strange, anyhow" said
the clerk, gravely. "Come into the office. |
captain; there's curious bit of bust
ness on" and he led the way to the
Office. "This young lady, captain" h.
explained as he threw open the door, |
sis"
Ethel" Harry" burst from the
lips of the captain and the pirl. and