The times., 1897-07-25

favor he was about to confer, he ap-
preached the unconscious skipper.
Before te could speak he was startled
by eonimotion on the quay, and, looking
up, saw the cook, who had gone ashore
for vegetables, coming full tilt toward the
ship. He appeared to be iaboring under
strong excitement, and bumped passers- by
and dropped cabbages with equal uncon-
cern.
what on earths the matter with the
cook?" SAID the skipper, as the men s,is-
pended work TO gaze ON the approaching
figure. Whats wrong?" he deInanded
sharply, as the cook, giving a tremendous
leap on hoard, rushed up and spluttered in
his ear.
WHAT" he repeated.
The cook, with his hand on his distressed
chest, gasped for breath.
Captain Gething," painted the cook at
last recovering his breath by an effort
''Round the-corner.''
Almost al excited as the cook, the skip
per sprang ashore, and hurried along the
quay with him. violently shaking off GER
tain respectable citizens who sought to
detain the cook andask what he meant by
it.
II expect you've made a mistake said
the skipper, as they rapidly reached d the
email street. Don't run-we shall have
crowd
III it wasn't i'm it was his twin broth
er" said thecook. 'sAh, there heis. That's
the mani"
He pointed TO Henry's acquaintance OF
the previous day, who, with his hands In
his pockets, was walking Iistlessly along
on the other side of the road.
You get back said the skipper, hur-
rIedly. You'd better run a little. then
THESE staring idiots IL follow YOU
The cook complied, and the curious.
seeing that he appeared to be the more
irrational of the two, and far more likely
to get into mischief, set off in pursuit.
TIE skipper crossed the road and began
gently to overtake his quarry.
Hepa ssed him, and looking back. regarded
him unobserved. The likeness was unmis-
taxable, and for few seconds he kept
on his way, in doubt how to proceed. Then
he stopped, and turning round, waited till
the old man should come up to him.
Good morning." he said, pleasantly.
Morning" said the CID man, half stop
ping.
I'm in bit of a difficulty" said
the skipper, laHiy. 1--WE got message to
deliver 60 a man in this place and can't
find him. l wonder whether you could
help me-"
whats his name?' asked the other.
Capt Gething,'' said the skipper
The old man started aud his face changed
TO an unwhoIesome white ''I never heard
of him. he rnuttered, tllckly, trying to
-ass on
Nobody else seems to have heard of
him, either" said the skipper, turning with
him; that's the difficulty"
He waited for a reply, but none came.
The old man, with set face, walked on
raridly.
Hes supposed to be In hiding" contin-
ued the skipper IF you should ever run
across him, you might tell him that his
wife and daughter Annis have been want
ing news Of him for five years and that he's
making all this trouble and fuss about a
man who is as well and he arty as I am
Good-morningt"
The Old man stopped abruptly, and tax
ing his outstretched hand, drew a deep
brea tn.
in a trembling voice.
Just that said the skipper gently. and
seeing the working of the Others face,
looked away. For a little while they both
stood silent, then the skipper spoke again.
'If lake you back he said, II am to
marry your daughter Annis" He put his
hand on the old mans. and without a word
the oP man turned and went with him.
They walked back slowly toward the
harbor. the young man talking, the old
man listening Outside the postoffice the
skipper came Co a sudden stop.
Row would ii be to send wire?' he
asked.
Il think" said the old man eagerly, as he
followed him in, lit would be the very
thing"
de stood watching attentively as the
skipper tore up blank after blank, medi-
tatiyely sucking the chained lead pencil
win q view to Inspiration between wliiles
Capt .Gething, as an nliterate, had every
sympathy with one involved in the throes
OF writing. and for some time watched his
efforts in respectful silence. After th.
fifth blank had rolled, little erumpled
ball, onto the floor. however he interposed
II can't think how to put it, said the
skipper apologeticany II don't want to
be too sudden. you know
Just so,'' said the other, and stood
watching him until, with smile of
triumph tH itching the corners of his mouth,
tie skipper bent down and hastiIy scrawled
off message
You've done it," he said with relief.
bow does this strike you?'' asked the
skipper, reading. Your father sends love
to you both
Beautiful, murmured Capt, Gething
Not too sudden said the skipper;
'it doesn't say I've found you, or any
thing Of that sort; only hints at it. I'm
proud of it,
You ought to be- said Capt. Gething,
who was in the mood to be pleased with
anything. Lord, how pleased they'll be.
poor dears! I'm ashamed to face 'em. -
'Stuff.' said the skipper. who was in
high spirits, az he cIapped him on the
back. What you want is a good stiff
drink
He led them into a neigbboring bar.
and little later the crew of the schooner
who had been casting anxious and Gu
rious glances up the quay, saw the couple
approaching them. Both captains were
smoking big cigars in honor of the occa-
sion, and Capt. Getting, before going on
board, halted and in warm terms noticed
the appearance Of the Seamew
The crew, pausing in their labors, looked
on expectantly as they reached the deck.
On the cooks face was benevolent and
proprietary smile, while Henry concealed
his anguish OF soul under an appearance
of stole calm.