The times., 1901-03-17

returned the elder Haxby calmly: hut
he may live to be grateful to the brave
man who saved him. As for thee, friend
he handed to Cairns neat morocco
case containing a handsome gold watch
and chain-'we hope thou wilt 1--we to
show this to thy grandson, and that thy
wife VIII accept from US the new furni-
ture, fittings and plano which we have
bespoken for the cabin of the Venture
as mark Of gratitude for thy bravery
and admission for thy choice
You're overwhelming me with kind
ness, gentlemen, said Cairns, as the lit
tie Quakers shook him warmly by the
hand; and as for thanking you. Isabel
must do that II m not equal 10 IL. She q
have broken her heart | believe, If you
had not permitted me TO carry her to
sea.
You won't be in such a hurry to dive
headlong down sharhSs throat when il
comes to leaving her Behind you" said
Dunstone, so her going is as well. She'll
brighten up the cabin OF the Venture like
a posy, he went on. Aye I'm half in
love with her myself-fresh and sweet
lively and cheerful, as graceful as a rae
ing yacht, ana as healthy as the breeze
that carries it along. Twenty-thrce just
the right age; well educated. gentle, and
without a mOther-in-laW to NEEDLE in do
mestic affairs. Some fellows have luck -
he ended with pretended groan Of en-
Wy
"Ay,' said Cairns. my wife is not over
burdcned with friends. and that makes
me more anxious 70 take her to sea with
me. With the exception Of a sister whom
/ have never seen, who IS a year Younger,
and. like my Isabel when we first met, a
bOokkeeper and a shorthand clerk she
has not a relation in the world "
The kindly Quakers drew him on TO talk
OF Isabel, how he had first met her at an
evening party given by the wife OF one of
the GFlmport merchants, and how in con-
trast with the loud dresses and Cackling
voices Of some other young women who
were present-if they had only heard him,
would they have ever called him delight
ful again?-t refined beauty and simple
grace of the lady clerk had gained in
charm. lie told the story Of their brief
wooinS, OF the wedding, a very simple af-
fair ana quite private, at the GrimpOrt
church, and described the cottage, n mile
outside the town, which he had taken for
the honeymoon. 1t stood in an old-fash-
toned garden, and there were clipped yeWS
on each side of the gate. and behind was
Il wood where nightingales sang day and
night-at least, Isabel said they were
nightingales.
Thy wife will have to put up with gulls
and frigate birds AT sea" said Mr.. Jer-
emy. She can't take the nghtingales
along with her"
pityingly. The poor thing will miss her
I'll be bound"
She has friends In London, with whom
She lives. returned Cairns.
Friends are poor substitute for kin
dred remarked the elder Haxby.
She is engaged to the eldest son Of
these good folks" said Cairns, and / un-
derstand the splicing of the lovers is only
a matter of weeks He has a berth as
second mate aboard an Australian liner
and has good pay, Isabel tells me- and so
one may consider Miss Wlnifred well pro-
Vided for.
''Winifred. Is that her name?' cried
Dunstone. Sounds as though 1t ought
to belong to pretty girl. Now if | were
twenty years younger and little less
tough and tanned, there would be
chance for mei'