The times., 1897-07-25
/ y +.

To the SklppeTS surprise anu uiSaP-
provaI, -Annis kept her word. To be sure
she could not prevent him from meeting
her IA The read V hen the schooner was at
Northfleet, lis attitude when she tried
To being one of wllful and deliberate
defiance. She met this disobedience
asleptly by taking a pupil home with her.
and when even this was not sufficient
added TO the number. The day ON which
size ap,seared in The road with four small
oansseis was the last day the skipper &C
oompanled her. lie could only walk in
front or behind, he conversation was Sc
verely technical, and thn expressions on
The smart girls faces preoocious in the
extreme.
The search Went on all the summer. the
crew orthe SeaEnew causing much comment
at the various ports by walking about as
though they had lost something. They
all got TO W ear 4 bereavedappearance after
O time, Essich, in the case or tn e cock who
had risked some capital in the affair was
gradually converted TO one of resIgna-
ton.
At the beginning of September they found
themselves at ITonbridse. a small town on
lhe East Coast situated on the River Leb-
ben. As usual. the skipper's inquiries re-
veaied nothing. From Ironbridge, two
days late, they sailed with general cargo
for StouTwich, the Seamew picking her
way CAREFUL down the river by moonlight.
followed at an ever increasing distance by
cork fender Of abandoned aspect.
They passed the breakwater aud dropped
anchor ia tie hartbor OF StouTwich just
as the rising sun was glowing red on the
steeple OF tie town church. The narrow
flshy little streets leading from the quay
were deserted, except for one lane, down
which sleepy pa assengers were coming in
tNyos and threes to catch the boat, which
was chatting and grinding again ST the tim
bers Of the ietty and pouring from its
twin-funneis dense volumes of smoke to
take the sting out of the morning air.
Little 10y little as the Seamew, which
was not quite certain as to her berth,
rode at anchor, the town came 20 life
again. Men OF marine appearance, in
baggv trousers and tight Jerseys, came
slowly on the quay and stared med
itatiYelv at the water or shouted We
hemenuy at other men, who had got
into small boats 10 bale them out with
trusty cans Prom some OF these Iouneers,
after much shouting and contra dictory
information, the Seamew discovere her
destination and wa S soon fast alongside.
The cargo, very snail one, was out by
O'Clock that afternoon, and the crew,
having replaced the matches and cleaned
up, went ashore together, after extend
ing an invitation TO Henry, which was
coldly declined, TO go with them.
Tie Skipper was already ashore. and the
boy, after enduring for some time the
witticisms CT the mate, went, too.
Eor some time he wandered ainlIessly
about the town, with his hands IN his
pockets. The season was drawing to an
md, but few holiday y-makers We're loung-
ing about on the parade or venturing care
fully along the dreary breakwater to get
the fuil benefit of the sea air. Idly watch
ing these and other objects of interest on
the seasbcre, the hoy drifted on until
he found himself al the adjoining water
ing place Of 0vercourt.
The parade ended in two flights OF
steps, one Of which led to the sands and
the Other TO the road and the cliffs
above For people who cared for neither,
thoughtful local authorities had placed d
long seat, and on this Henry placed him
self and sat for some time, regarding with
the leBity OF age the cratic sports of the
children beIow. He had sat there for some
time, whine he became idly interested in
the movements Of an old man walking
along the sands to the steps. Arrived at
the foot he disappeared from sight, then a
huge hand gripped the handrail. and d
peaked cloth cap was revealed TO the
suddenly interested Henry, for the face
OF Ihe old man was the face OF the we'll
thgnbeG photograph IN the foc'sle
Unconscious of the wild excitement in
the breast of the small boy on the seat,
tie old man raused TO take breath for
the next flight.
Have you-got such a thing as a
as a match-alout you?" said Henry, try
ing 10 speak calmly, but falling
You're over young 20 smoke said the
old man, turning around and regarding
him.
At any other time, with any other per
son, Henry's retort to this would have
been rude, but the momentous events which
depended on his civility restrained him.
Il find il soothing be said, with much
gravity, If ] get overworked or Worried
The old man regarded him with I'M
feiCned astonishment, grim smile lurk-
ing at the corners OF his we'll hidden mouth.
If YOU We're my boy" he said shortly,
as he put his forefinger and thumb into
his waistooat pocket and extricated a time
stained Iucifer, do you know what I'd
10 to you?"
stop me smoking" bazarded Henry
cheerfully.
Il would that said the other, turning
10 go
How old were you when you started
slnoking2'' asked the boy
About your age, 1 expect said the old
man slowly; ''burI was a much bigger clap
than you are. suuted little chap like
You ought not to smoke"
Henry SMILED wanly, and began to think
that the five pounds would be well earned
"wIn you have a piper he said, prof
ferng gaudy pouch.
''Confound you.' said the old man, flash
Ing into sudden weak anger when /
want youI tobacco I'll ask you for it,
mo offense.'' said the boy hastily, mo
offense. It's some ] bought cheap, and
our chaps said I'd been 'ad. only
wanted TO see what you thought OF it,
The old man hesitated a moment, and
then taking the seat beside him. ac-
oepted the proffered pouch and smelt
the contents critically. Then he drew
a small black clay pipe from his pocket and
slowly filled is
Smokes all right he said, after
few puffs He leaned back, and half clos
ing his eyes, smoked with the en- joyment of
an old smoker. to whom pipe is some
What rare luxury. while Henry regarded