The times., 1897-06-27


Capt Wilson, hot with the combined ef-
fects of exercise and wrath, continued the
pursuit, but the pause to say sweet moth
ings to The second in command was fatal
10 his success. He had often before had
occasinn To comment ruefully upon the
pace OF the quarry, and especially at such
times when he felt that he had strung his
courage almost up TO speaking point. To-
day he was just III time TO see her vanish
Into the front garden of small house,
expressive vigor. She disappeared into
the house just as he reached the gate.
He walked on aimlessly at a slow pace
until the houses ended and the road be-
came a lane shaded with tall trees and
flanked by hawthorne hedges Along this
he walked little way and then. nervousiy
lingering note in his jacket pocket. re-
traced his steps.
I'm see her and speak to her anyway
he mustered. Here goes
He walked slowly back to the house, an d
with iis heart humping and II choking
sensation in his throat, walked up TO the
door and gave q little whisper Of knock
upon it, 1t was so faint that, after walt
ing a considerable time, he concluded that
is has not been heard aud raised the knocker
again Then the door opened suddenly, and
the knocSer, half detained In his grasp,
slipped with crash that made him trem-
BILE at his hardwood. An elderly woman
with white hair opened the door. She re-
pressed a start aud looked at him inquir-
ingly.
'Cap'n Jackson in?" inquired the skip
per, mis- nerves thoroughly upset by the
knockeT.
.swho?" said the other.
..Cap'n Jackson" repeated the ether,
reddening.
There is no such man here" said the
old woman. "Are you sure 1t is Capt.
Jackson you want?" she added.
"rm--I'm not sure said Wilson, truth
fully.
The old woman looked at him eagerly.
s'Will YOU come in?" she said, slowly, ami
without giving him time to refuse. led
the way into the small front room. The
skipper followed her with the conscience
OF fox invited into poultry yard
and bringing up in the doorway, he gazed
uncomfo,tably at the girl, who tad risen
at his entrance.
"Tbis gentleman is inquiring for O
Capt. Jackson" said the old woman, turn
ing to the girl. Il thought he-he doesn' g
seem quite sure whether 1t is Capt. JACK
son he wants-he may bring news" she
concluded, incoherently.
..Iu's not likely, mother" said the gin,
regarding the adventurous mariner by
no means fayorably. There is no Capt.
Jackson here, SIR
Have you been looking for him long?"
inquired the mother.
Years and years" said the other, for
getting himself.
The old woman sighed sympatheticaliy.
won't you sit DOWN. she said.
THANK YOU" said the skipper, and took
the edge OF tie sofa.
"You re not quite certain OF the manner"
suggested the girl, coldly.
sit it sounded like Jackson" !" murrnured
the intruder in small modest voice. 1T
might have been Blackson, or Dackson, or
even SnAcksoii-I won't swear to II"
The old woman put her hand to her brow.
me some news of my poor husband" she
said at length 81 lost him som e years a go,
and when you came here inquiring for a
seafaringman Thought you nigh somehow
have brought news"
You must see, mother, that this gen
tleman is looking for somebody else, said
tie girl; "you are hindering him from
finding Capt. Jackson"
IF hes been looking for him for years. v
said the old woman, bridling mildly, "a
few minutes viii not make much differ
encc''
Certainly not" said Wilson, in a voice
which he tried in vain to make stronger.
when you say lost, ma'am, you mean
missi ng?"
Five years." said the old woman, shak-
ing her head and folding her handsfn her
lap "How long do you say you've been
looking for Capt. Jackson?"
Seven said the skipper, with a
caImness which surprised himself
"And you haven't given up hope, sup
pose?"
Not while life lasts" said the other,
studying the carpet.
That's the way 1 feel" said the old
woman encrgetically. what surprise
it'll be when you meet himl'
''For both of thenl,'' said the girl
ats five years last May-the Goth OF
May said the old woman, ''sincc l last
saw my poor husband He
'sIt can't be Of any interest to this
gentleman, mother interposed the girl.
''I'm very much interested, ma'am."
said the skipper defiantly; 'besdes, when
I'm looking for poor Jackson, who knows,
I might run up against the other
"Ah. who knows but what you might"
said the old woman. There's one gen
tleman looking for him now-Mr. Glover, my
daughters husband that is to be-"
There was long pause, then the sE1ppe r.
by dint Of combining his entire stock Of
Christianity and politeness, found speech.
az hope he finds him. he said slowly
''Ali that a man can do he's DOING said
the cid lady. Hes a commercial traveller
by trade, anc he gets about great deal
in the way of business
Have you tried Advertising" inquired
the skipper, striving manfuiiy to keep his
interest up to its former pitch.
The other shook her head and looked un-
easily at her daughter.
''It wouldn't be any good" she said In
a low voice-'it wouldn't be any good"
"Wcn, 1 don't want to pry into your
business in any way" said Wilson, .'but
I go into good many ports in the course
OF the year, and II you think it would be
any good in looking about, In be pleased
and proud to do SO, you'll give ME
some lea OF who to look for''
The old lady fidgeted with all the man.
ner OF one desiring and half fearing to
siiylyire q secret