The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-09

I.ottie had slipped her hand carelessly
into Steevie's arm, and now talked of
all the surprising things they would ac-
complish if this dream of wealth were on
ly realized.
Presently they reached the cottage door,
and Lottie, raising the latch, led the way
into a well-furnished kitchen, where a
fire gave out a cheerful blaze. An old
woman was crouching in an armchair
beside the hearth. She turned her blind
eyes searchingly toward them. Lottie
ran forward, and bending down greeted
her tenderly.
AS Armstrong took his seat at the ia
BILE, where the girl made all haste to lay
supper, the young couple exchanged a
glance and a nod.
Granny" the seaman began, Eve
brought you a bit o news-strange news
what me and Lottie's just picked up at
sea"
Granny Sanderson's face became ami
mated. She craned her neck toward the
speaker and said:
Good news, 1 reckon, It's in the ring
o. your voice, Stephen, plain as can be-
What list, my lad?'
Armstrong hesitated 10 relate the in
ciGent of the black bottle, and then he
read the amazing document which had
come TO light.
The woman listened intently, and when
he had concluded sat silent for a while.
AT last she said:
Who knows O. this?'
Nobody" said Armstrong, "'cept US
three what are here together"
Nobody? Was you and Lottie alone
aboard?"
''Redshaw was aboard, O. course. But
he don't count" said Armstrong; "'sides.
he was n ray,'t Aa I
Granny Sanderson shook her head
shrewdly.
There's them what sleeps with one eye
open" said she. Il knows EN-"
What do you mean?" retorted Arm
strong. My mate arn't one o. that sort,
Wnatever's put such a thought into your
head?"
All. my lad. I've allus held as you was
too confding. It's in your natur'. Now,
leekee here, If you takes my advice you'll
not loose a minute putting to sea. Why.
bless me- said she. 1t wouldn't surprise
me If Redshaw were there afore you.
Mark me-"
Stephen Armstrong had pushed away his !
plate while Mrs. Sanderson stin spoke.
He now rose hastily and said:
L m not afeer'd. I've mind TO take |
Redshaw alonger me tonight Why not?
I'll need hand, I'm thinking"
Go alone said Granny Sanderson. !
'Leastways, don't you trust Redsbaw I'm |
this business. Steevie. If YOU hope TO |
steer back into Saltwin harbor alive"
Armstrong turned angrily away and nut /
his hand upon the latch. Lottie sprang !
toward him.
Let me come with you" said she.
No the woman interposed. rising and 4
taking step gropingly toward them. 7 1
forbid il. You stay longer me-
Armstrong went out, enraged bevoad /
measure at the thought that his old mate. |
with whom he had put 70 sea almost (
daily. in fair weather and foul. for ten 4
years and more. should be suspected Of /
treachery. He had always put implicit /
trust in Redshaw. though he could not /
deny that the man had his faults He
was given 10 drinking az times more than
was good for him. and his mates were
not always the men Armstrong would 1
have chosen. Still. he had never known
Redshaw 20 act in a way that he could /
call underhanded, and he would not mis-
trust him now.
He had reached the edge of the sand !
dune. where he could gain a clear view
Of the moonlit sea He cast q glance To-
ward the harbor.
What, the exclamation came ike a /
cry from his lips. and next moment he
was running in Wild haste toward the
shore