The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1897-09-04

.
When she. found that he never by
any chance spoke of their marriage,
she began to like him better and
feel sorry that she could not love
him.
Meanwhile Captain Davidson tat
tooed the letters Nell" in capitals
on the youths right arm.
When only two days of the sail
or's leave remained, he showed the
tattooing to Nell in Captain David
son. S presence.
Its notion of uncle's, " said he.
He thinks l might forget you
when on the other side of the world,
and this will serve as reminder. !
don't need it. could never forget
you. But uncle would have his
way"
"Of course, of course" chimed
in the old man. ITS only right and
proper. You young folks are like a
ship with a cargo of iron aboard.
The compass is apt to play all sorts
OF queer pranks, and there's no
knowing then where she's steer
ing to. That tattooing is what l call
corrector. It'll keep the human
ship on true course. Roll up your
sleeve, my dear, and let me put a
oorrector on you.
The girl stepped back with little
cry of dismay.
Il shan't hurt you, he went on.
ut isn't that" she said. IL
can be true to my word without it.
I'm not saying you can't" re-
turned the old salt, "and BERTHE
isn't either. But, seeing as You
won't marry him yet awhile, it
would be a great comfort to him
when he's far away to know as you
couldn't well forget him. Wouldn't
it, my lada" he added, turning to
the young sailor.
1T would indeed, was the reply.
"Of course, the artful old fellow
went on, still addressing his nephew,
If she wants to find another sweet
heart and don't care to be reminded
of you, it's only natural as she
wouldn't like me to tattoo your
name on her arm. But" winking
slyly, there amt no absolute need
for you to sail on the Falcon. You've
home here, and I'd be glad of your
company if you'd stop till you've
had time to get married in quiet,
leisurely sort of way. Idon't believe
in hurriyng things myself"
Nell's face paled. She did not
wish him to stay Marriage would
be a great deal worse than tattoo
ing.
"Oh, " she cried, IF he can't trust
me, it doesn't matter" And she
barred her right arm.
That's sensible" sad Captain
Davidson, taking up the bunch of
needles.
He performed the operation with
great tenderness, and the girl bore
the pain almost without wincing.
But it was not the word "Bertie"
that he traced out. When finished,
the inscription read, Il love B. P"
The ancient mariner had intended
to tattoo the sentence in full, 81
love BERTHE Page" but finding that
he had scarcely left room he cur.
tailed it.
There, " he said, when alone with
his nephew, 'she's safe to stick to
you. With that motter on her arm
she can't marry anybody else. She's
aground, high and dry, and I'd like
to see the tide that'll lift her off. "
At the time appointed the Falcon
steamship set out on its voyage with
Mr.. BERTHE Page on board.
Among the most attentive of Dick
Goodeve's friends was a certain Jack
Pemberton, fine, handsome, man.
ly fellow. He was one of the youths
with whom Nelly had compared her
lover, but the ring on the third fin
ger of the girls left hand forbade
him to speak.
One day when he called the gold
en- circlet was not to be seen. Some
weeks previously it had dawned up
on Nelly that the legend on her
arm would compel her to wed the
sailor or remain spinster. Angry
at the trick of which she had been
victim, she took off the ring and
had never worn it since
AS the ring continued invisible,
Pemberton presently grew bolder,
and one evening he spoke out.
II want you to tell me" he said,
whether you still intend to marry
Mr.. Page I've no right to ask the
question, | know, but my future de-
pends on your answer
II Couldn't can't marry any
body" she sobbed.
Jack Pemberton was not the man
to stand by and see a girl weep
without endeavoring to console her.
1t might not have been necessary to
put his arm round her waist, but
that is what he did.
You don't love him." he whis-
pered. "You never loved him. That
is why you can't marry him. Do
you think you could love mea"
Il can't mustn't! Don t ask me
IT'S cruelI lam tied -tied for I;fa ~,