The times., 1897-08-01

peered in, that, too, " as empty.
..Hc mus have gone for walk with the
boy," sais, tlse skipper uneasily, when he re-
turned wrthtlte news.
lie took UP the parcel again and went
below, followed by the mate, and FOR
some tine sat silently smoking.
mime o'cleck,', said the mate at last in
constelIarion as the little clock tinkied
the hoaI That coufounded boy 's not up
to any mischief. / s'pcse.''
II doa't see W nat mischief h e could 90,
pondertd the ether, knitting his brows.
Looks TO me as if he's spirited him
away continued the mate. "I'll godshore
and have a look round and see whether
l can see any OF them"
lie took up his cap from the locker and
went. An hour elapsed, and the skipper,
a prey to great anxiety, wentup on deck.
Two or three seanen carne up the quay
aud went aboard the steamer in the next
berth woman came slowly along the
quay, peefing in an uncertain fashion at
the various craft, and shrinking back as
a seaman passed her. Abreast of the Sea-
new she stopped, and in the same doubt-
full manner looked down on the deck. The
skipper crossed 10 the side, and stralninS
his eyes through the gloom, looked up at
her.
.'Is this the Seamew?' inquired u fresh,
girlish voice.
''Annisr' shouted the astonisfed skipper.
"Annis!"
He ran up the rigging, and stepping on
the quay seized her hand Then he drew
her unresistingly toward him, and was in
the act of passing his arm round her waist
when he remembered his position and drew
back awkwartiiy.
Come on hoard, vhe said, gently.
He stIdddled from the quay to the rig
ginG, and extending his hand in the midst
OF perfect silence, helped her to thC
deck.
where Is my father" she said ea
gerry.
Wilson made no reply.
"Where is he?" she repeated.
| Wilson shook his head. II don't know,
he said, gloomily: II don't know. He wa
day"
Where is he now? What have you don,
with him.
Wilson told her all he knew, and having
finished, watched her anxiously as sh
drew back a little and tapped on the deol
with her foot
A badly blended chorus, making mp II
strength what il lacked in harmony. sound
ed on the quay, and gradually Coming near
er, stopped at the Searnew for a fineisilont
The foc'sle was assembled by the cook ant
Dick with much vehemence, while Sari
| excited by his potations, danced madly be
fore them.
silence up there,'' shouted the skippe
sternly, as Anms shrank away. Get be
lowi''
''Ay, ay, sir" said Diok, with a luIof
Come on Sam, we ain t wantcd-here. >"
VIII you get belowi'' roared the madden
ed skipper, giving the cook a push.
I'm very soIry," Wilson said, taTnin
to Annis after a moments pause, every
thing seems to be going wrong tonight"
$50 it seems" she said coldly. Good
night
Where are you going?" said Wilson.
"Going to find hotel" said Annll
there's no train back tonight
Take the cabin,' he said entreatingl.
81 and the mate'Il sleep or'ard."
No. thank you," said Annis.
She stepped TO the side. and assisted b
the skipper, clambered UP on to the qua
again The mate oane up at tile momer
and stood eyeing her curiousiy.
''Tlds is Miss Gething," said the skipp,
sluwly Amy news?'
Nome said the mate solemnly;; ''they'1
vanished like smoke
1t is certain asked Annis, addressin
him. that 1T was my father"
The mate looked at the skipper an
pushed his cap back. I'VE hadino Ieasc
to think otherwise he said shortly. 1T
mystery TO ME altogether. He can
have gone hone by train because he ha
no money"
1T couidn t have been my father" sa
Annis slowly Somebody has been d
i,ceiving you Goodnight. / will con
round in the morning; it S getting late.
'.wheIe are you going?" inquired Il
mate
She's going to look for a hotel,'' sa
the skipper, answering for her.
Its late' said the mate dubiousl
land this is not much of aplace Tor hotel
Why not take her to the woman whe
her father has been staying? You said S
seemed decent Sort
''Its q poor place." began the othe
''Thatn do" said Annis. decidedly; :
4 it was good enough for my father,
] is good enough for me. II it wasn't II
= father / may learn something about hi
s Is it far?"
'"Two miles," said the mate.
: ''We'd better start at once, then" sa
i the skipper, moving a step or two by ";
OF example.
:. land perhaps you'll walk down, too
= said Annis to the mate.
e 1t went to the mates heart to do
1 / but be was a stanch friend NO. / thil
e III turn in" he said, blushing at his rut
Y ness. I'm tired"
:, He lifted his cap awkwardly and &
sccnded. Annis with her head at an L
d comfortable altitude, set off with the SIX
q per.
I'm sorry the mate wouIdn It come SO
C the latter stiffiy.
n After this they went on in silence alo
!, the quiet road, Miss Gething reaIizI
6 instinctively that the man by her side h
e got temper equal to at least dozen
+ her own. This made her walk alittle clos
e to him, ana once, ever so lightly, her ha
e brushed against his. The skipper put
/, hands in his jacket pockets.
4 They reached the late habitation OF [
mysterious Capt. Getting without a we
II having been spoken on the journey. 7
5, news was uninviting enough by dayiig
Jf by night 1T was worse.
h That's che house, said Wilson,
= tlicating it; mo. b. Whats the niatter?'
10 For Miss Gething, after making lit
le dabs with her handkerchief at lips VIII