Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-22

gate Bruce rebelled, but Hunch gripped
his arm, and marched him up the steps.
Then he left him and stood outside the
fence Bruce laid his hand on the bell
knob, but. before ringing, looked wildly
around and started to tiptoe away. Hunch
made motion and he turned back and
rang. Then the door opened and he dis
appeared within. Hunch sat on the horse
block.
Half an hour later the door opened
Hunch retreated across the street Bruce
and Mamie came out and walked slowly
arm-in-arm toward the lake. Hunch stole
after, keeping in the shadows.
They walked across the beach and sat on
the sand. Hunch looked over the ground.
and, making sure that they could not get
away without his knowledge, he went back
up the beach to- the end of the sidewalk,
and paced nervously up and down for an
hour.
Then he slipped behind the willows and
looked again. He saw first single shadow
on the sand, then two people who were lost
to all the material and earthly things of
this life. They sat in silence, her head pill
lowed on his shoulder, his arm black
stripe across the back of her pink shirt
waist. He walked swiftly back to the
schooner.
He was in his bunk. pretending to be
asleep. when Bruce came stamping down
the steps into the cabin. He watched Bruce
as he lighted the lamp. Bruce was grim
ming. After puttering about the table he
came over to Hunch's- bunk, and stood
looking down at him. Then he laughed out
loud and dug his fingers into Hunch's ribs
Get out of here" Hunch growled.
Say, Hunch, wake up, It's all right
We're going to be married next month";
Glad to hear It," said Hunch, drowsily.
Then he rolled over, feeling less enthusiast
tic than he had expected. Bruce whistled
while he was undressing, and played catch
with one of his shoes. Hunch could hear
him chucklng after he got to bed and the
light was out.
hat Uh
city, Bruce would hurry up to the post of
flee, and would usually have on his return
perfumed letter, addressed in a slanting
hand. He carried these in his pocket and
reread them frequently. His spare time
was spent in writing replies with stubby
chewed pencil. Hunch watched him grmIy.
CHAPTER III.
Ten days before the wedding they were
lying at Manistee, waiting for a load Of salt
Bruce had been growing more restless and
absent minded The fault grew unchecked
because an instructive fineness In Hunch
held back the reproof that would ordinarily
have followed slipshod work. But about the
time of the Manistee trip Bruce appeared
in new light. He was growing self-conf-
dent and independent. The old meekness
was giving place to certain animal pride
The last night at Manistee Bruce went
unknown to buy a present for Mamie. He
met an old friend the street and told him
of his luck This called for congratulations,
and in the confidence of his new strength
Bruce followed his friend through a swing
ing baize door. He returned at IL o'clock.
Hunch was in the cabin, wrestling with his
accounts.
Bruce came slowly down the steps and
balanced carefully at the bottom.
Hello, Hunsh.' he said, slyly
Badeau looked up. Bruce walked across
the cabin and sank on his bunk holding his
81 aish haf
Where you been?"
See fren'.'
Badeau looked at him. Bruce grew so
nervous that he forgot his caution
What's the matter? What you looking
me like that for? You're fren' O. mine.
Hunsh. Shake hans oil man; shake"
Badeau struck him without word. Bruce
showed fight, and In moment they were
rolling about the floor. Billy up forward.
heard the noise, and. tip-toeing along the
deck In his underclothes, peered down the
open gangway: He saw Bruce. his face red
with drink and rage, break away from Ba-
deau and seize knife from the rack on the
bulkhead. Badeau sprang forward The
table was jammed into the stove Then the
light went out. There was fall. then a 81
lence. Billy CROPPED cautiously down the
gangway.
THAT you. Billy" came In Radeaus
voice. Get match. Guess 1 smashed
him pretty hard"
AS soon as he and Billy could get Bruce
undressed and into his bunk. Hunch ran
for doctor Bruce finally went to sleep
with stitched-up scalp. a purple eye and
broken rib. In the morning they got un-
derway for Manistogee. Billy and Hunch
doing all the work. Bruce was quiet during
the morning, but in the afternoon and
after they reached Manistogee. he started
several times to blurt out an apology which
Hunch each time cut short. AT supper
time Hunch propped him up with blankets.
Say. Hunch. l 'spose you amt got moth
Ing to say to me"
Guess not"
We'll. say. Hunch. I-got q date with
her tonight, amt it to ever see her again.
but-shen wonder why I don't come. Say,
you 60 up there. Hunch. Come on. tell her
I'm sick
SO Hupch went. And when he sat stifay
In the parlor Tin Bruce's checked tie. for
fear that she might recognise the red one).