The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-02-28

death. Kettle stald on IN the YlIl6xe,
innking almost hourly inquiries for
her. He ought to have gone away to
seek fresh employment; he ought to
have gone back to his wife md chill.
dren, and he upbrnided himself bitterly
Tor his neglect OF these duties. At last
the girl was able to sit up and see him,
ana he visited her. showing all the
deference an ambassador might offer
to queen.
she listened to his tale Of the wreck
with Interest and surprise. She was
almost startled to hear that others, in
Guiding the captain and two of the
mates, were saved from the disaster
besides themselves, but at the same
time unfcignedly pleased. And she
was pleased also to hear that Kettle
was suDpGnaed to give evidence before
the Forthcoming inquiry.
u am glad Of that" she said, "be.
cs''se know you will speak with
free mind. You have told me so many
tlmes how incompetent the captain
was, and now you will be able to tell it
TO the proper authorities"
Kettle looked ut her blankly. "But
j
say to them what said to YOU"
why not? Look what misery and
suffering and loss Of life the man has
caused. He isn't fit to command a
ship"
but, MISS" said Kettle, ITS his liv-
Ing. He's been brought up to scafar-
Ing, and he isn't fit for anything else
You wouldn't have me send out the
man to starye? Besides, Pm ship.
master myself, and you wouldn't have
me try to take away another masters
ticket? The clcvercst captain aioat
might meet with misfortune. and he's
always got to think Of that when he's
put up to give evidence against his fel.
lows"
"Well. what are you going to do,
then?'
"Oh. we've got together n tale, and
when the old man Is put up on his
trial the mates and will stick to 1t
through thick and thin. You can bet
that we are not going to swear away
his ticket"
Ills ticket|'
eyes, his masters certificate, his
means Of livelihood"
II think It's wrong" she said cxcit-
cdly, 'criminnlly wrong. And, besides,
you said you didn't like the man."
81 don't. | dislike him cordially.
But that's nothing to do with the case.
Pve my own honor to think Of, miss.
How'd feel If went about knowing
I'd done my best to ruin brother cap
tain for good and ulways?
hcmcntly. "Thc man IS incompetent
by your own saying, and therefore he
should suffer-"
Kettles heart chilled.
Miss Carnegie" he said, 81 am dis.
| appointed in you. | thought from your
poetry that you had feelings. I thought
you had charity, but find that you
are cold"
"And you." she retortcd, you that |
had set up for myself as an ideal Of
most Of the manly virtues. do you
think | feel no disappointment when
hear that you are deliberately propos
ing to be Il liarf'
II am no liar he said Sul!enly. Il
have most faults. but not that. This is
different. You do not understand 1t
! master before IN inquiry board"
The girl turned to the pillow in her
chair and hid her face. oh Co." she
said, "go. | wish | had never met YOU.
| thought you were SO good and so
brave and SO honest, and when it
comes to the pinch you are just like
the rcst. Go! Co..
'ion say YOU don't understand" said
Kettle. II think you deliberately won't
understand. miss. You remember that
| said MAS disappointed in you, and |
stick TO that now. You make me re.
member that have got wife and
family ! am fond Of. You make me
ashamed | have not gone to them be.
fore. Goodhy, miss"
"Goodby," she sobbcd from her PHI
low. 81 wish | could think you are
right. but perhaps 1t Is best rs it is.'
In the village street outside was Nc
Todd. clothed In rasping serge and IN
clincd to be sentcntlous. "They've
whisky here lie said, with jerk Of
the thumb. Irish whisky that's got
smoky taste that's rather nlluring
when once you've got over the first dis.
like. I'm out Of siller myself or pd
stand you a glass, but If you be In
funds | could guide you to the place"
Kettle was half tempted. but with a
wrench he said mo-" adding that If he
! once started he might not know when
to stop.
"Quitc right" said the engineer,
''you're quite (hic) right, skipper. A
man with an inclination to level him
self with the beasts that perish should
always be abstemious"
He sat against wayside fence and
prepared for sleep. Like me-" he
added solemnly, and shut his eyes.
"No." said Kettle to himself, II won't
forget 1t that way. guess can man.
age without. She pretty we'll cured
me herself. and sight OF the missls
will do the rest"