The Portland daily press., 1898-03-04
coDYRAsHL 1898. BY THE AuTnos.A

of my joke. L built her IN your deserted
machine shops out of lumber that be-
longs to you, and l modelled her on the
specifications you drew once upon a
time when was loating around your
desk. "
81 think you might have told me-
might have let me share in the labor. :"
Maxwell turned and laid his arm af-
fectionately around his friends shout
der.
"See here Street, don't, please don't,
FOB me of the poor satisfaction I've ex
tracted out of this job. [ made up my
mind to go after Reggie the minute l
heard Moses story. knew if told
Marianne or Monksey of my intention
there would be the very mischief to
pay. I had to steal my chance, and hav-
ing stolen it successfully you might re-
ioice with me instead of trampling on
me with that superior manner of yours.
Eyes, but, my dear fellow, am
thinking of your sister. :"
$50 am II Here the keel of the skiff
ground upon the bank Immediately in
front of them, and the two men sprang
aboard. Pull, boys, as if Old Nick
was after you. All the boats were down
about BeeIer's landing at dark, and we
ought to make the crossing in safety
The lantern slide hid every ray of
light that could betray their where
abouts; the stars overhead gave but
pale, limited radiance that made the
water at ten feet from them seem a dark
void; the oars in their mufied locks
dipped rapidly, and feathered silently
by the, skillful oarsmen sent the little
boat speeding on her perilous way with
scarcely a sound The four men held
their peace for full ten minutes, listen
ing with strained nerves for any sound
from the feet of boats which kept such
close watch and ward of the river that
slipping across it was a matter Of skill
and peril Reassured by the profound
stiffness, Maxwell leaned back on the
steering oar and resumed the story of
his bodybuilding.
$50 am ] thinking about Marianne,
but she will be all right when Uncle
Toby gives her the note left. II your
sisters can get along without you, mine
ought to be glad to get along without
such a cumberer Of the earth as am.
But, Street, old fellow, I never meant
to leave you out OF my plan of salvation.
I've kept close watch on you and
timed my going by yours. Thirteen
boys helped me to build this boat. Ev-
cry one of them wanted to do something
for the captain. Reggie was tremendous
ly popular even before, this. I swore
each one of them to secrecy before I'd
let him touch hammer. Oh, tell you
she's daisy!'
81 can't see her very well, but she
sits upon the water like bird, and she
has speed. -
'sDont this beat swimming across
the river?'
"All to pieces,' Lemuel admitted,
with laugh.
"And you really were going to take
to the water?'
"Of course I was, if nothing better
had offered"
They were sitting side by side on the
stern seat of the boat Maxwell laid his
lips close to Lemuel's ears.
"And all for the love of fghting?"
''All for the love off,
He caught his breath with gasp
The oarsmen lifted their oars and held
them in paralysis of inactivity. Max
well ducked his head. The boat swung
slowly about
From a distance of half mile dull
report had come to their ears, and they
could hear the heavy shell kissing in
the waters, which it sent in agitated
circles ever widening until the little
skiff rocked on the swell of them.
"Great Scott, do you suppose they
can see us?'' Maxwell asked, cropping
about the bottom of the boat for his
hat.
"No. They just sent that shell out on
general principles, said Lemuel, seiz-
ing the steering oar and commanding
the men to row on.
Chang their general principles! Dis
pensed in that fashion they are about as
uncomfortable as spilled needles. I say
Street, this war is all blamed foolish
ness anyway"
81 haven't seen enough of it to judge
yet, A" said Lemuel quietly, and Maxwell
frankly acknowledged he had him there
Several more shells were dispensed
with view to discourage any probable
blockade runners, but the two in the
boat built by Maxwell escaped I'M
scathed. The first cold gray lances Of