The times., 1897-06-27

Sam shook MS head and sighed ITS
the best ship WAS ever on, barrln that"
he said sternly.
.'Wl,ss'n 'e he Ike when he grows up?"
demanded Dick, as he lest h mself in the
imnlensity of the con lecture. 1T ant
right L the boy to let HIM go on like that.
one good hiding week W ould do im good
and US too"
Meantime the object OF their care had
reached the cabin, and leaning against
the fireplace awaited the ma te Is pleasure.
where's the cap'n?" demanded the
latter, plunging at once ITO the subject
Henry turned and looked at the small
clock.
.,Wslkin up an d down a astreetin Grea ves-
end he said, deliberately.
''oh, you've got the second-slght. 1
s'posc?' said the mate, Ieddeniug. And
what's he doin' that for?"
ITO see 'er come out said the boy.
The mate restrained himself. but with
difficulty.
And what'li he do when she does come
out?" he demanded.
''Nothin',' replied the seer with con-
yiction. what are you looking forg"
he inquired, with a trace OF anxiety In bis
voice, as the mate Iose from the locker.
and raising the lid, began CROPPING for some
thing in the depths.
"Bit o rope,'s was the reply. .
well, what id yer ask me for?" said
Henry, with hasty tearfulness- Its the
truth 'E won't 90 nothing. e never does
only stares.'
"D'you mean to say you amt been gam
n1oning me?'' demanded the mate, seizing
him by the collar.
Come and see for yourself?" said
Henry.
The mate released him and stood eye
ing him with a puzzled expression as q
thousand-and-one little eccentricitics ON
the part of the skipper suddenly occurred
to him.
$50 and make yourself tidy" he said,
sharply; land mind If find out you've
been doing me n Nay you alive"
The boy needed no second bidding. He
dashed up on deck, and, needless or the
gibes of the crew began toilet such as
he had never before been known TO make
within the memory of man.
whats up, kiddy?" inquired the cook,
whose curiosity became unbearabIe.
"wot d'you mean?" demanded Henry,
with dignity.
Washing. and all that" said the cook,
who was plain creature.
Don't you ever wash yourself, you
dirty pig?" said Henry, elegantly. 81
spose YOU think doin' the cookin' keeps
you clean, though
The cook wrung his hands and, unoon-
scious OF plagiarism, told Sam he'd be
lung fer i'm.
"Me and the mate are goin' for little
stroll, SAM" observed the youth. as be
struggled into his jersey. Keep your
eyes open, and don't get into mischief.
You can give SISshya and with the sorce
pans il you've not nothing better to do.
Don't stand about idle"
The appearance of the mate impeded
Sans utterance, and he stood silently by
the others, watching the couple as they
clambered ashore. 1t was noticed that
Benry carried his head very erect, but
whether this was due to the company he
was keeping or the spick- -and-span ap-
pearance he made, they were unable to
determine.
''Essy, 20 easy" painted the mate,
mopping mis- red face with a handkerchief.
what are you in such a hurry for?''
ave shah he too late IL we don't hurry"
said Henry; then you'll think I've been
telling lies"
The mate made no further protest and at
the same rapid pace they walked on until
they reached quiet road On the outskirts
Of Giavesend.
There he is, said Henry triunphantly,
as he stopped and pointed up the road at the
figure of man slowly pacing upanddown.
"She's at a little school up at the other
end. A teacher or something Here they
come"
AS he spoke a small damsel with
satchel and q roll of mUsic issued from
a house at the other end Of the road,
the advance guard of small company
which in twes and threes now swarmed
out and went their various ways.
''Nice girls, some of EN- said Henry,
glsncing approvingly at them as they
passed. ''0h, here she comes. I can't
say i see much in her myself"
The mate looked up and regarded the
girl as she approached with considerable
interest. He saw a pretty girl, with nice
gray eyes and a flush, W hich might be
due to the master of the Seamew-who
WAS following at respectful distance
trying to look unconcerned at this unex-
pected appearance.
''Halloa, Jack," he said, carelessly.
"Halloa,'' said the mate, with a great
attempt at surprise. who'd ha' thought
o seeing you herel"
The skipper, disdaining TO reply to this
hypocrisy, stared at Henry until an in
teliigcnt and friendly grin faded slowly
from the youths face and left it expires
sionless. i've Just been having a quiet
q trOa q fnYp fn
mate.
TO escape.
his quiet stroll at pace which made the
mate hot to look at him. He'll have to
look sharp if he's going to catch her
now," he said, thoughtfully.
HE won't catch her, said Henry;
''he never does-leastways, ff he does he
only passes and looks at her out OF the
corner of his eye. He writes letters to
her of night, but he never gives 'em to
her,"
How do you kno~?" demanded the
other.
''Cos look at i'm over his shoulder
while I'm putting things In the cup
board" said Henry.
The mate stopped and regarded his
hopcfel young friend fixedly.
II s'pose you look over my shoulder,
too, sometimes he suggested
"Tou never write to anybody except
your wife, said Henry, care3essly, .-or
your mother. Leastways I've never known
you to-"
You'll come to q bad end, my iad,'
said the mate, thickly; that's what you'll