The Forrest City times., 1899-05-19
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 "CAPTAIN MARY" 5
By Ralph Graham Taber.
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h as that small, winsome body noisily entered, "how often must re- mind you that such behavior distresses mel"
 I'm always forgetting!" said Ruth, penitently rubbing her pink cheek against her mothers pale one. For give me, won't you?"
 Tt 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 noselessly. There, there! I did not meaD 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 a romping tomboy.
 An hour later Mrs. Ellerton was again disturbed by the chatter of chill dren; and, coupled with Ruth's high treble, she distinguished an unfamil far note. Glancing through the win dow, she saw Ruth entering the gar den, bringing with her-was it possi- ble! Mrs. Ellerton opened the window. 70, 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 ly: Please, mum, Mary Bethel"
 "Yes, Mary Bethel" Ruth echoed. And who is this Mary Bethel?"
 Ruth felt her ardor chilled, while poor, shivering Mary Bethel felt her. self turning to ice.
 Who is this Mary Bethel?" Mrs. FL lerton repeated.
 Why" faltered Ruth, "she lives at the cove, and"
 And if so, she had better return there How often," continued Mrs. FL ierton, pitilessly, 'how often have I warned you never to pick up acquaint- ances. I am more than surprised, Ruth; I am"
 But Mary Bethel heard no more. with sob she burst through the gate way, and ran wildly down the road to- ward her home.
 It was not much of home, this ref uge of the Bethels; a two-room hut, with brown sods banked round it.
 AS Mary reached the beach, her fa- ther came from the hut and lifted her up and kissed her.
 We're off agin, little gal" he said. I'll be away a couple O days, may nap. Mind the home, and-why, what's the matter?"
 Faint nuthin, dad," she sobbed.
 There, there. Don't take on," said ner father, consolingly. We've bin alone 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 h White and blue boating suits. She enNed them their pretty rowboat, and turned glance of contempt upon her 'ather's numbering dory.
 Time passed unheeded, until the sum- 'ght was suddenly dimmed. She gianced out; the sky was overcast. with blacker clouds to the southward, While beyond tl,e cove danced a smap ooat-could it be that of the two girls? what could have tempted them to ven- lure so far?
 There came an impatient knocking, ma Mary opened the door. Before her stood Mrs. Ellerton-not the naughty woman of a few hours before, but . mother, with a drawn, scared face.
 My girls!" she gasped. "Where is your father?'
 To the fishin' banks
 thought-his boat there"
 Mary shook her head: Father uses lnat for near fshin'."