The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-12-31
THE PLOT THAT FAILED AND WHY.
BY RALPH ENDERBY.

! One thing he did not know; that his
friend was, behind his back, schem-
ing to supplant him in Kittys affec-
tions; using as his principal tool the
girls own father, Joshua HAZEL; the
drunkenest fisherman in all the fleet
that sailed out of the little harbor of
Tats Corner.
Kitty's would-be lover played upon
the old fisherman's weakness to such
an extent that in a short time things
seemed ripe for a declaration on his
-Corbett's part.
Fortunately, however, for Michael
and his sweetheart, though disastrous
ly for old Joshua, a storm, that swept
the whole of the west coast, was the
means of defeating, for the time being.
at any rate, Dick Corbetts mean and
dastardly betrayal of his friend.
Old HAZEL, with many another deep
sea fisherman, was drowned, almost
within sight OF land.
In him Corbett lost the only ally who
could have influenced Kitty; though
she herself declares today, that not
even her father could have shaken her
faith in Michael Fenwick.
Hard times then came to Kitty, and
at the date of Dick Corbett's disap-
pearance, she was earning scanty
living as one Of the many net-mem-
bers of the fishing feet.
BY and by the fishing industry de-
clined so. owing to the overwhelming
increase in steam trawling. that Mich
ael found it impossible to make liv-
ing even, while his prospects of marry
ing Kitty seemed more remote than
ever.
Then It was that he determined to
go to sea for year or two, leaving
Tat's Corner with that object, without
saying word to Kitty, or, indeed, to
Kittys only mistake was, that she
had not told Michael that she had
guessed that Dick Corbett loved her;
her excuse to herself being that no
word had actually been spoken.
There were thus faults on both sides,
the consequences of which might, with
a little mutual confidence, have been
averted.
The Erl King was preparing to warp
out OF dock, and Michael Fenwick,
sick with disappointment at not hav-
ing had reply from Kitty, was list
lessly climbing up rope on the TO-
castle head.
The chief mate was standing by the
break rail, shouting orders to the man
in charge Of the steam winch, when,
casting his eyes for a moment quay
wards, he saw girls fearful face
looking up at that part of the ship.
He could not take advantage Of her
proximity to speak to her; besides,
Michael was too close for that action
to be quite prudent-so he made a vir-
tue Of necessity, and called his subor-
dinate's attention to his sweetheart's
presence on the quay.
1t would have been rank subordi-
nation to leave the ship, even for five
minutes, so all Michael could do was
to lean over the rail and speak to her.
You shouldn't have come" he said,
|
were not immediate listeners. I'VE
shall cast off in less than 10 minutes" !"
81 couldn't let you go without say
ing goodby, Michael"
Yes, l know; 1t was wrong of me
to leave you without word; but l
did it for the best, Kitty"
Don't say anything more about
that. Michael just want you to
promise me one thing"
What is it?"
Promise me you'll do what I've
asked you In this!"
AS she spoke the last word she threw
on board a piece of paper wrapped
round something hard. 1t fell at his
feet, and he picked it up on the instant,
and put 1t in his pocket.
you mustn't remain any longer,
Kit" (even then the ship had begun
to move away from the quay, "Tll
remember. Good by!"
Good by. dear"
At that moment Corbett called him
to do something. and when he looked
round again the steamer was hundred
yards from the quay; all he could see
being little figure waving white
handkerchief.
When they were we'll In the Mersey
and fairly on their way seaward he
took out and read Kitty's last little
note OF appeal.
1t was not really a letter; 1t was
just request in one sentence:
For your own safety's sake, dear
and for love Of me. beware of Dich
Corbett."
Nothing more. And Michael knew
for the hrst time that his sometime