The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1896-03-05

"Welcome on the Sir Edmund
Lyons"
ness. l mean, and every accommodation
you could require. We shan't sail
afore g."
at don't look right" said the lady,
who was sorely tempted. "But the
missus says l may go if l like, so I'll
just get my box ready. I'll be down
on the jetty at g."
"Ay, ay." said the skipper, smiling;
me and Bill III just have a snooze till
then. So long"
$50 long," said Betsy.
The neighboring clocks were Just
striking 8 In a sort of yelping chorus
to the heavy boom of Big Ben, which
came floating down the river, as Mrs.
Bunker and the night Waterman stag
gering under a load Of luggage slowly
made their way on to the jetty. The
barge, for such was the craft in cues
ton, was almost level with the planks.
BILL" said the Waterman, address
Ing the mate, bear a hand with this
box and be careful; it's got the wed
ding clothes inside"
The Waterman was so particularly
pleased with this little joke that in
place of giving the box to bill he put
1t down and sat on 1t, shaking con
vulsively with his hand over his
mouth, while the blushing Betsy and
h discounted captain Strove In vain
to appear unconcerned.
The skipper, with a threatening look
at his mate, gave his hand to Mrs
Bunker and helped her aboard.
welcome on the Sir Edmund Ly-
ons, Mrs. Bunker" said he. bill kick
that dawg back"
"Stop," said Mrs. Bunker hastily,
'that's my chapperong."
"Your what?" said the skipper.
"It's a dawg, Mrs. Bunker, an
won't have no dawgs aboard my
craft"
"Bill," said Mrs. Bunker, "fetch my
box up again"
"Leastwise," the captain fastened to
to add. unless it's any friend of
yours, Mrs. Bunker"
"It's chaperoning me-" said Betsy
ut wouldn't be proper for a lady to &c
a wye with two men without some.
body to look after her."
That's right. SAM said the watch
man sententiously. "You ought tc
know that at your age"
why, we're looking after her." sale
the supplemented captain. ME ant
Bill"
"Take care Bill don't cut you out
said the Waterman, in a hoarse wills
per, distinctly audible to all. He:
younger nor what you are, Sam. Be
sides which, he's a finer man alto
gether."
Cast Off" said the skipper, impa
tlently. Cast off. Stand by there
Bill"
GAY, ayr' said Bill. Selling a boat
hook, and the lines fell into the waite,
with a splash, As the barge was
pushed out into the tide.
We'll feel the breeze directly" said
Capt. Codd. Then you'll see what
she can do"
AS he spoke the barge began to slir
through the water as a light breeze
took her huge sail and carried her into
the stream.
AT a pleasant pace. with wind anG
tide, the Sir Edmund Lyons proceeded
on it's way. A comfortable supper
was spread on the deck. and Mrs. Bun
ker began to think regretfully of the
pleasure she had missed in taking III
barge-sailing so late in life.
Presently the air got sensibly cooler
and to Mrs. Bunker it seemed that thu
water was not only getting darker
but also lumpy, and she asked two o.
three times whether there was an!
danger.
The skipper laughed gayly, and
diving down into the cabin, fetched III
a shawl, which he placed CAREFUL,
round his fair companions shoulders
His right hand grasped the tiller. hi
left stole softly and carefully rount
her waist.
How enjoyable" said Mrs. Bunker
referring to the evening.
"Glad you like It," said the skipper
"Oh, how pleasant to go sailing dow
the river of life like this. everythin;
quiet and peaceful, just driftin'-'
"Ahoy!" yelled the mate suddenl,
from the bows. Who's steering
Starbud your hellum."
The skipper started guilty.. and pu
his helm to starboafd as anothe
barge came up suddenly from the OF
posite direction and almost grace
them.
1t was some little time before the
could settle down again after this, bu
ultimately they got back in their oil
| DDSltlOu. anu tie infatuated CtuU wa
just about to wax sentimental AGAR
when he felt something behind hin
He turned with a start as a portly re
triever inserted his head under hi
left arm and slowly. but vigorously
forced himself between them. The
he sat on his launches and painted
while the disconnected Codd strove t
realize the humor of the position.
81 think l shall go to bed now" sal,
Mrs. Bunker, after the position ha'
lasted long enough to be uncomfortable
"If anything happens, a collision o
anything, don't be afraid to let m
know"
The skipper promised, and, shakin
hands, babe his passenger goodnight
She descended somewhat clumsily,
is true, into the little cabin, and tn