The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1898-10-14

ing what a snug home TIA be for me
and you"
"Abs that WAS grandad's once" said
the girl, "and now come to think Of
It, granny prophesied years ago that
the farm would be mine some day; and
she's a wonderful gift O. prophesying.
ain't she, Soeevie1"
LOttle had slipped her hand caress-
ingly into Steevie's arm. and now
talked Of ali the surprising things they
would accomplish If this dream Of
wealth were only 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 turn
ed her blind eyes searchingly toward
them Lottie ran forward. and bend
Ing down greeted her tenderly.
AS Armstrong took his seat at the
table, where the girl made all haste to
lay supper. the young couple ex-
changed q glance and nod.
Granny" the seaman began, 1--WE
brought you q bit O. strange
news what me and Lottle's just picked
UP at sea-
Granny sanderson's face became an
imated. She craned her neck toward
the speaker and said:
Good news, I reckon! It's IN the
ring O. your voice, Stephen, plain as
can be. What is't, my ladT'
Armstrong FASTENED to relate the
incident 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 q
while AT last she said:
WHO knows o thisT"
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 asleep weren't he, Lot
tieg'
Granny Sanderson shook her head
shrewdly.
There's them what sleeps with one
eye Open" said she. II knows EN-"
what 90 you mean" retorted Arm
strong MY mate ar'nt one % that
sort! Whateyer's put such thought
into your headT
"Ah, my ladl I've ailus held as you
was too conhding. It's in your natur'.
Now, loolee herel If you takes my nd
vice youll not lose a minute putting to
sea Why, bless me-" said she, 'it
wouldn't surprise me If Redshaw were
there afore you. Mark me"
Stephen Armstrong had pushed away
| his plate while Mrs. Sanderson still
spoke. He now rose hastily and said.
I'm not afeer'd I've n mind to take
Redshaw alonger me tonight Why
not? I'll need a hand, Tn thinking
'GO alone" said Granny Sanderson.
"Leastwise, don't you trust Redshaw
IN this business, Steevie, If you hope
to steer back into Saltwin harboH
aliveT
Armstrong turned angrily away and
| put his hand upon the latch. Lottie
sprnng toward him.
Let me come with your said She
Nor the woman interposed, rising
and taking a step gropingly toward
them. 81 forbid 1t. You stay alongeT
me-"
Armstrong went out, enraged beyond
measure at the thought that his old
MATE, with whom he had put to sea
almost daily, IN fair weather and foul
for ten years and more, should be sus.
pected Of treachery. He had always
put implicit trust IN Redshaw, though
he could not deny that the man had
his faults. He was given to drinking
at times more than was good for him
and his mates were not always the
men Armstrong would have chosen
Still he had never known Redshaw tc
act IN a way that he could call under
handed, and he would not mistrust him
now.
He had reached the edge Of the SAND
dune, where he could gain a clear view
of the moonlit sea. He cast glance
toward the barbOr.
"Whatr the exclamation came like
a cry from his lips, and next moment
he was running in Wild haste toward
the shore.