St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-06-24
"CAPTAIN MARY"
By RaPh Graham Tsber.


By Raph Graham Tsber. =
1A1A0A1n1A1a1A1A1AS
ID UTH!" exclaimed Mrs. Ellerton,
as that small, winsome body
noisiiy entered, show often must re-
mind you that such behavior distresses
met"
I'm always forgctting!" said Ruth,
pcnitently rubbing her pink cheek
against her mothers pale one. For
give me, won't you:"
1T was not for nothing that you
burst in upon me. What did you
wish?''
TO ask if we might go down to the
cove. A schooner has just come in, and
we are dying. to see it,
'Gertrude?' said Mrs. Ellerton.
"Yes, mother" replied soft voice
behind her.
You startled me, child" said Mrs.
Ellerton. petulantly, you entered SO
noiselessly. There, there. / did not
mean to wound you. You may go to
the cove; but keep Ruth out of mis-
chief"
Gertrude. the elder. was pale and
shy; but Ruth. the baby. was chubby
and strong, with restless feet that car
ried her with the rush of romping
tomboy.
An hour later Mrs. Ellerton was
again disturbed by the clatter of chill
dren; and, coupled with Ruth's high
treble, she distinguished an unfamil-
lar note. Glancing through the win
dow, she saw Ruth entering the gar
den. bringing with her-was ii posi-
BILE! Mrs. Ellerton opened the window.
20, mamma" cried Ruth, 'we've had
such fun, and"
Ruth" interrupted Mrs. Ellerton,
severely, "who is that with you?"
''Why, Mary, and she"
"Mary who? Mary what?"
Ruth looked puzzled. She turned to
the little stranger. who replied. timid-
~: "Please. mum, Mary Bethel"
'.Yes. Mary Bethel" Ruth echoed.
"And who is this Mary Bethelo'
Ruth felt her ardor chilled. while
poor. shivering Mary Bethel felt her
self turning to ice.
''Who il this Mary Bethel?" Mrs. FL
lerton repeated.
"Why," faltered Ruth, 'she lives at
the cove, and"
"And il SO, she had better return
there. How often," continued Mrs. FL
lerton. pitilessly. show often have I
warned you never to pick up acquaint-
ances! am more than surprised,
Ruth: am"
But Mary Bethel heard no more
With q sob she burst through the gate
way, and ran wildly down the road to-
ward her home.
1t was not much of home, this ref
uge of the Rethels; two-room hut,
with brown sods banked round it.
As Mary reached the beach. her ia
ther came from the hut and lifted her
up and kissed her
"We're off agin. little gal" he said
ssTll be away couple O. days. may
hap. Mind tie home, and-why, what's
the matter?"
"'Tain't nuthin. dad" she sobbed.
''There. there. Don't take on" said
her father. consolingly. we've bin
a1one over night afore.''
The motherless child went into the
lonely cabin, and. stationing herself by
the window. watched the schooner fade
into the distance.
Presently. down the hillside came her
acquaintances of the morning. dressed
in white and blue boating suits She
envied them their pretty rowboat, and
turned = glance of contempt upon her
fathers numbering dory.
Time passed unheeded, until the sun
light was suddenly dimmed. She
glanced out; the sky was overcast.
with blacker clouds to the southwark.
while beyond the cove danced small
boat-could it he that of the two girls?
What could have tempted them to ven
ture so far?
There came an impatient knocking.
and Mary opened the door, Before her
stood Mrs. Ellerton-not the naughty
woman of a few hours before. but
mother. with drawn. scared face.
MY girls" she gasped. Where is
your father?'
10 InG USilIH UdnhS.
II thought--his boat there
Mary shook her head: Father uses
that for near fishin'."
rs there TO one?" pleaded Mrs. FL |
lerton.
There's no man about: but / dun |
no." Mary said, dubiously. Il reckon |
I might row the dory that fur. but I'm |
'fraid couldn't bring both boats back;
the tide is runnin' out new."
20 could you-could you row out to |
them?"
"'Twould he tug. l might have to |
let the dory go-'nd don't know what
father d say"
"Don't mind the boat-rn pay for
that. But, o, hurry-do. do hurry"
srM go, num-" Mary said, quietly.
81 will 60 with you" TREMENDOUSLY ex-
claimed Mrs., Eellertcn.
mot less n you kin row." Mary an
swered. .Reckon I'll have my hands
full .thout any extra ballast"
The tide carried the dory along at
rate which quickly overhauled the tru-
ants. But the wind was swifter than
the tide. 1t came along in fierce puffs, |
Nth short intervals of calm between
The black rim of the ocean broadened. |
And the fisherman's daughter. familiar
with the sea. felt that it would be hard
race.
Az Mary reared the cedar boat, she
sa,x that the two girls were frightened
to the verge Of tears !