The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1899-04-14
THE CONSPIRATORS.

! ILL OO4NO1 LIZA OlOAO.
Captain Hanson, having returned
from a long voyage to find himself 9
widower, had sacrificed his fondness fol-
a seafaring life to the needs of his only
daughter, Lucy. and had settled in a
thriving coast city. where he could live
comfortably upon the modest fortune
he had accumulated.
A good man was the captain, rough
in his ways, but tender hearted. irasci-
BILE, but forgiving, and deeply devoted
to his ''little girl, as he continued to
call Lucy even after she took to long
gowns and began to receive calls from
eligible young men.
1t was rather slow in dawning upon
the captains mind that Lucy might
some day like to marry. He never took
her company seriously, for most of
the young men who called and whom
he admitted, for he habitually answered
the doorbell, were of type with which,
to put it mildly, he was not familiar
That Lucy should cherish genuine in
terest in a young man who knew moth
ing of the sea never occurred to him
until a son of one of his former ship
mates proposed for Lucys hand Then
there was rude awakening
The sutton. Jack barrow, was him
self a sailor, and the old captain had
found great comfort in his calls. In
fact, the ancient mariner had enter
tanned the notion that Jack called to
see him, and it was quite a shock when
Jack, finding the captain alone one
evening, made his purpose clear.
"Have ye signaled her. Jack" he
asked.
Haven't hoisted rag" replied the
young sailor sheepishly. eff it's all
right, cap, you speak to her She'll do
anything you say.
"Dunno, dunno" returned the cap
tain obviously, "but I'll heave the lead,
Jack, and let you know if the channels
clear.
That satisfied Jack, and, true to his
word, the captain "heaved the lead
that very night
Lucy" he said, Jack barrow
wants to splice with ye.
"Can't be done. papa, she answered
at once. "Jack's good fellow. but ]
don't love him. 3"
The captain knew not whether to re-
joice or regret. He was sorry for Jack,
but glad for himself
"All's WELL" he said after a mo-
ment. "I'm not asking ye to love him,
Lucy. You shan't marry anybody ye
don't love- ="
81 knew you'd say so, papa, just as !
knew you won't object to my marrying
the man do love-"
"Ehf Steady therel Do ye mean
ye've got somebody in mind2''
Lucy blushed and looked at the floor
"Who is hes" asked the captain anx-
iously.
"1t's Henry Whitman, papa. He ask
ed me this evening""
"Whatl That dudeF'
"Papar'
Lucy's eyes blazed as she addressed
her father in sharper tones than she had
ever used She looked at him steadily
for a moment and then went to her
room.
The captain drew a long breath, sank
into chair and fumbled for his pipe
Under its soothing influence he became
comforted Whitman dressed stylishly
but that might not be against him. He
could afford his apparent extravaganza.
for he was clerk in bank. Every body
spoke well of him too Poor Jack Oar
rowi
After time the captain knocked the
ashes from his pipe and, going to Lucy's
room, spoke to her through the closed
door.
"It's all right, little girl, he said in
a shaking voice. IF ye want young
Whitman. We shall have him. and God
bless ye both "
Whereupon Lucy arose, went to tho
door, opened it and threw her arms
around her fathers neck.
Next day Captain Hanson reported
his soundings to Jack and told him
plainly that he'd have to sheer off. Per-
haps the captain failed to couch his in
formation in terms that suggested his
disappointment and kindly feelings
Jack did not manifest his i'll will
then. but little later he devised way
to wreak vengeance on his successful
rival He CHANGED to learn that Whit
man was to take Lucy to theater on
a certain evening 1t began to rain that
afternoon, depressing, ceaseless driz-
zle This was Jacks opportunity, and
he arranged his plot with great care
There was nothing he could do himself
except supervise operations, but he
found three loyal friends TO whom he
con6ded the situation and his purpose
and they agreed to look after details
The curtain rises upon their little
drama at exactly 7:l5 in the evening
Scene the front steps Of Captain tian