Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-26

the air grew balmy and shoals of glitter
ing ing nying fish skipped lightly past the bow.
me poop awning was brought out and
stretched: cane chairs and lounges relics
or former East Indian voyage. made their
appearance. and the passengers driven
from below by the heat. spent most of their
time on deck
AT four bells one evening Hawkins, the
stowaway, came aft to the wheel. BY TAX
ing the second dog watch trick for men
who wanted to play bluff" the stowaway
peated after the man whom he relieved,
and he grasped the spokes with the air of
one who enjoyed his occupation.
Below in the saloon the cabin folks Were
at tea Through the open skylight came
the sound of their voices and laughter. At
the break of the poop the second mate
leaned thoughtfully over the weather rail.
An ordinary seaman was shipping the side
lights. The slush lamps in the house and
forecastle began to show. Slowly the sun
departed, night overapped the day, and
darkness fell like garment upon the
waters.
Hawkins leaned comfortably against the
wheelbox. his face Illuminated by the bin
nacle light. occasionally giving the ship a
few spokes up or down. He had developed
into an excellent helmsman. Suddenly the
mans frame stiffened and he stood bolt
upright. listening. womans laugh had
sounded at the foot of the companionway.
1t was followed by a patter of feet on the
loaded stair, and a moment later Miss
Armstrong. attended by De Montparnasse,
stepped on deck.
AS the pair seated themselves on the
weather side of the skylight, Miss Arm
strong was struck with the expression on
Hawkins face. His forehead wore a
scowl, and his dark eyes shone with an
angry light in ill accord with his usual
good-natured appearance. 1t looked so I'M
like the smiling fellow who puttered about
the poop all day and in his capacity wait
ed upon her with such uncommon care and
thoughtfulness, that she found herself
mo Ia mo 11 tha for fhn fivc.f
time Though in her natural kind way she
had often bestowed word of encourage
ment or praise upon the poor stowaway,"
as she called him. she had never given him
thought in any other way. And, indeed,
why should she? The average woman
never sees man who is poorly dressed
Yet now, for some unaccountable reason,
she suddenly found herself wondering what
the fellows past had been. Under cover
of the darkness she looked at him closely
What strong face, she thought But
for the black stubble on his upper lip and
chin he might be a handsome man" AS
Hawkins raised his eyes from the compass
card and looked toward the skylight with
alf-blinded eyes. she gave little start.
What is the matter. Miss Armstrong;"
asked her companion, in his own tongue.
Are you afrad?"
Don't you think it's rather chilly sitting
here? Shall We walk little?" she replied,
evasvaly.
At one bell her escort went below and
Miss Armstrong strolled idly aft to lean
over the taffrail and gaze at the sparkling
wake AS she watched the murmuring ed
dies slip from the rudder and go swirling
away to the black water astern she kept
repeating to herself. Where have l seen
those eyes before?'
She was disturbed presently by the ap-
pearance of a shark under the counter of
the vessel. A faint, ghosty light far down
beneath the keel was the first intmation
of its coming. gradually growing larger and
more bright as 1t neared the surface until
the outlines of the great fish could be
plainly seen, and the phosphorescent halo
rund it illumined the Dunbarton's stern.
lmpeIled by curiosity, not unmixed with
fear the girl stretched farther across the
top rail to watch the movements of this
phantom scaVenger of the sea. On sud-
den her foot slipped on the dewy deck. She
pitched forward. lost her balance and had
gone headlong overheard but for the man
at the wheel. Before she wholly realized
her danger Hawkins caught her about the
waist. and lifting her bodily, placed her on
her feet again. For moment the great
Fellow held her and looked down at her
frightened face.
You little fool he said at last Then
deftly catching the twirling wheel he re-
turned to his post, white to the lips
At the stowaway's words the rush of
mingled emotions that in Beatrice
Armstrong; mind were checked by indig-
nation How dare this common man call
her little fool?' Humiliating as her DO
sition was, she yet drew herself up proudly
and without looking at him said: II will see
that you are rewarded for this Mr. Haw-
kins." upon which she swept haughtily
past him and descended the companionway
The stowaway smiled.
The episode had taken place so rapidly
and with so little noise that the second
mate knew nothing about it, A few min
utes later, however, noticing that the