The Ravalli Republican., 1898-10-05

a corrector. It'll keep the human
ship on true course. Roll up your
sleeve, my dear, and let me put
corrector on you.
The girl stepped back with little
try of dismay
II sllan't hurt YOU" he went On.
1T isn't that" she said. IL
can be true to my word without it.
I'm not saying you cant, . re-
turned the old salt, "and BERTHE
ism t either. But, seeing as you
Won t marry him yet awhile, it
would be 4 great comfort to him
when he's far away to know as you
couldn t we'll forget him. Wouldn't
il, my lad2'' he added, turning to
the young sailor.
''It would indeed, was the reply.
"Of course, the artful Old fellow
went on, still addressing his nephew,
''if she wants to find another sweet
heart and Cont care to be reminded
Of you, it's only natural as she
wouldn't like me to tattoo your
name on her arm. But, wlnEing
slyly, there ain t no absolute need
for YOU to sail on the Falcon. You've
home here, and I'd he glad Of yo7lr
company if you'd stop till you've
had time to get married in a quiet,
leisurely sort OF way. Idon' t believe
in hurriyng things myself. y
Nell's face paled. She did not
wish him to stay Marriage would
be a great deal worse than tattoo
ing. .-...-...... .....
"Oh, She cried, "if he can trust
NE, it doesn't matter. - And she
barred her right arm.
"That's sensible" said Captain
Davidson, taking up the bunch Of
needles.
! He performed the operation with
great tenderness, and the girl bore
the pain almost without wincing.
But it was not the word 'Bertie'
! that he traced out. When finished,
the inscription read, II love 3. 2. -
The ancient mariner had intended
to tattoo the sentence in full, I
love BERTHE Page, but finding that
he had scarcely left room he cur
tailed it. -....~ ..- -- ---.4
''The1e, he said, when alone with
his nephew, "she's safe to stick to
you. With that motter on her arm
she can t ~ try anybody else. She's
aground, high and dry, and I'd like
to see the tide that'll lift her off. -
At the time appointed the Falcon
steamship set out on its voyage with
Mr.. BERTHE Page on board.
| Among the most attentive Of Dick
GooGeve's S friends was certain Jack
Penberton a tine, handsome, MAN.
y fellow. He was one Of the youths
with whom Nelly had compared lei
lover, hut the ring Oh the third fin.
ger Of the girls left hand forbade
him to speak.
One day when he called the gold
en- circlet was not to be seen. Some
weeks previously it had dawled up
OH Nelly that the legend on hc1
arm would compel her to wed the
sailor or remain spilster. Angry
at the trick Of which she had beeI
victim, she took off the ring ant
had never worn it since
As the ring continued invisible
Pemberton presently grew bolder
and one evening he spoke out.
Il want you to tell me-" he said
whether you still intend to marr,
Mr.. Page. I've 10 right to ask tn
question, l know, but my future de
pends on your answer. .
Il couldn tt can t marry any
body" she sobbed.
Jack Pemberton was not the maj
| to stand by and see a girl wee,
without endea vOring to console her
It might not have been necessary
put his arm round her waist, bu
! that is what he did
, You don't love him." he whis
, pered. You never loved him. Tha
is why you can't marry him. D
, you think you could love me?"
, II can tt mustn |! Don ask me
It's cruel! lam tied-tied for life!
You don't mean to say that it
., too late?n be cried Surely 70
haven't married him on the quiet?
: The girl shivered.
;. "No, no; not that. It's-oh,
: can't explain! 1t was Captain Davi(
son S fault. y
j., "But how could he tie youi" Pen
berton persisted, determined t
solve the mystery.
! He tattoocd I love Bertie Page
u on my arm, and NOW can MARI
anybody
e tCaptain Davidson ought to be
It punished he exclaimed. 'Wi
II you let me see the tattooing?'
Il Blusling more than ever, the 81
o barred h,a' shspely arm.
= why, it isn't 'Be1tio Pager
1t cried. 1T is I love B. P. -
5. Eyes, but it means Beltie Page
"Not necessarily, Pemberton 1
joined, laughing. 1T Will fit /
very well. I'm called Jack, but
4 was clristened Benjamin. Suppc