The herald., 1897-09-05

in time. There came from forward Z
confused murmur Of voices, laughter
snatches of song. The cook shook his
head. glanced obliquely at Jimmy, and
began to mutter.
AYE! Dance and sing. That's an
they think Of. am surprised the Provi-
dence don't get tired They forget the
day that's sure to come-but you"
Jimmy drank gulp of tea, hurriedly
as though he had stolen It: he shrank
under his blanket, edging away toward
the bulkhead.
The cook got up closed the door, then
sat down again. and said distinctly:
| whenever poke my galley fire I
think Of you chaps swearing, stealing,
lying, and worse-as If there was no
such thing as another world. Not bad
fellows, either. in a way" he conceded
slowly; then, after a pause of regretful
musing. he went on in a resigned tone:
"Well, well. They will have hot time
of it. Hot! did say? The furnaces of
one of them White Star boats amt
nothing to it,
He kept very quiet for awhile. There
was a great stir in his brain: an ad-
died vision of bright outlines; an ex-
citing row of rousing songs and groans
of pain. He suffered, enjoyed, admired.
approved. He was delighted, frighten-
ed, exalted-like on that evening (the
only time in his life-thirty-seven years
ago; he loved to recall the number OF
years) when as young man he had
through keeping bad company-become
intoxicated in an East-end music hall.
A tide of sudden feeling swept him
clean out Of his body. There was great
din Of cymbals in his ears; he flashed
through an ecstatic tumble Of shining
faces, lilies, prayer-books, unearthly
joy, white shirts, gold harps, black
coats, wings. He saw flowing garments,
clean shaved faces, a sea of light-a
lake of pitch. There were sweet scents,
smell Of sulphur-red tongues Of flame
licking white mist. An awesome voice
thundered. 1t lasted three seconds.
JIMMY" he cried, in an inspired
tone. Then he hesitated. A spark Of
human pity glimmered vet through the
internal fog Of his supreme conceit.
"What?" said James Wait, unwilling
ly. There was a silence. He turned his
head just the least bit, and stole eau
tious glance. The cooks lips moved in
audibly; his face was rapt. his eyes
turned up. He seemed to be mentally
imploring deck beams. the brass hook Of
the lamp, two cockroaches.
"Look here" said Wait, II want to go
to sleep. l think could"
"This is no time for sleep!" exclaimed
the cook, very loud. He had prayer
fully divested himself Of the last vestige
of his humanity. He was voice-a
f1eshless and sublime thing, as on that
memorable night-the night when he
went over the sea to make coffee for
perishing sinners. This is no time for
sleeping" he repeated. with exaltation.
II can't Sleep"
Don't care a -" said Wait. with
Fictitious energy. II can. Go an turn
in."
"Swear-in the very jaws-in the very
Jaws. Don't you see the fire-don't you
feel it. Blind, chock-full of sin. can
see it for you. I can't bear 1t. I hear
the call to save you. Night and day.
Jimmy let me save you"
| The words Of entreaty and menace
broke out Of him in roaring torrent.
The cockroaches ran away. Jimmy per-
spired, wriggling stealthily under his
blanket. The cook yelled, "Your days
are numbered"
"Get out of this" doomed Wait, cour-
ageously.
"Pray with me"
II won't"
TO BE CONTINUED