Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-10-27

zee them. and likewise come to some
determination as to the other prop
.rty," he answered. "But it may be
apprehend you. You would like to be-
speak berth?"
''It seems hasty and eager to men
Jon it, I replied, a little in depreea-
lion, 'but the fact is
Say no more" he cried, clapping me
On the back. Gan you doubt me?
Why, man, you shall be second mate
Of my best ship After that mate, and
then captain. Why not? And your
pay shall start with round sum, and
not cheated, either, for you are worth
t. Sellinger at first shall be your su-
perior-for I have him also in mind, to
advance his fortunes-and I think
you could not ask for better"
God bless you'll" 1 cried. This is
more than you think!"
In spite of me the tears came into
my eyes.
why, Ardick. man. you have some
thing behind the lighter!'' he said,
looking at me sharply. Nay, out with
it and relieve your mind. 1 much doubt
if you will find more sympathetic
ears"
That 1 know" 1 said, with a sob,
but, indeed. am but poor creature.
[ think I have lost the little courage 1
had. Yet here is the matter, since you
are foolish enough to consent to hear
it," And with no words spared and
many hounderings and pullings up I
disclosed my secret.
''And so," he said with an odd kind
of precision, that is the thing behind
the lighter? A stirring enough little
matter, too, but not calling for much
dwelling on
'Siri" L cried. reproachfully.
NAY, but hear me,'' he said, waving
his hand. "Eight-and-twentyy years ago
l was young and was in love. 1 thought
as you did, and was intoxicated in the
same fashion. I married after a
time"
I was silent. I thought I knew wha
he was about to say. His marriage
had proved unhappy.
''In two years my wife died" he went
on. his voice dropping and SOLDERING.
Those two years were happier than
all the time before or since. When
it came to the last 1 asked Margaret
to thank God for me that He had given
me the sweet loan of her. promised
that I would strive to join her some
day, Notwithstanding my many imper-
fections, which still I mean to do, yet
in chief through the merits of Christ
blessed be His namei for He must
make up my lack. And now to your
matter, which you must think have
strayed from. Having been in this
way happy myself. I conceive it a good
and sweet thing if 1 might make you do
likewise. and this / believe ] can do
I have now neither kith nor kin
poor George Benther was surely the
last, as I thought another was before
him-and it will be fitting if I name an
heir. Why not you. Ardick, whom in
truth 1 love? I will adopt you, and
so at last shall have a son. And now
do you think your matter worth much
dwelling on, for have we not found q
way to mend it? / trow my heir and
the agent of my ships, with good ven
lures of his own and what not, may
aspire to this young woman's handi
If not, let me know, and we viii see
whether the house of Reginald Tyn
has forgotten how to uphold its hon
or by the sword!"
Long before the end of this epiIogue
| which indeed the man spoke with the
water standing in his eyes, 1 had seized
his hand and with trembling lips hat
kissed it.
He broke off with this, standing VI
| and clapping on his hat.
''Yet wait little, for, after all, the
business is not quite concluded.
| would see Mr.. Hope"
He retreated out of the berth, anC
with feelings which you may guess
| but which L cannot hope to put intt
words, L dropped down on the side
of the bunk and awaited his return.
He was gone above 20 minutes. WheI
he came in he made a grave bow and
pointed to my hat.
L laughingly and yet in a great trem
BILE clapped it on, which done, he tool
my arm and led me out and up tbs
companion stairs.
Near the top he only said:
1.-THE lady is on deck. Why there
cannot say, unless it might be to gree
a certain person. But in any even
| she is in my way. I wish to have I
further talk with her uncle. There
fore you will oblige me by conducting
| her one side, and 1 recommend the
after part of the quarterback, on tn
| larboard side, which is in shadow"
| THE END.