The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-12-31

Mercy, Michael.-the last man I'd
have thought of seeing in Liverpool.
Where have you been all these years?"
"Where have you been. Dick? /
haven't roamed very far from Tat's
Corner, but you!-why, nobody's heard
a breath of you for the last six years
or more"
Dick Corbett laughed recklessly. and
looked at his one-time chum. Michael
Fenwick in--as the latter thought-a
peculiarly defiant way.
NO; they haven't; but, as that is
my business, and not anybody's, just
be content. my son, to know that I've
been 'sailoring' in nearly every sea,
and that now I'm chief mate OF the
fastest little fruit steam tramp that
trades between Liverpool and the Span
fish ports.'
"Have you a vacancy for a 'forrad
hanG?"
who for-for you Why!-whats S
pretty little Kitty about that she's let
ting you go to sea?"
Never mind Kitty, Dick!-I'm go
ing to sea again. because things have
been q bit rough round about Tats
Corner lately.
He spoke as IL any reference to his
sweetheart by the other was distaste-
full to him; for he clearly saw that
Dick Corbett, since he had seen him
last, was changed. and for the worse;
he was no longer the good fellow"
OF old days.
For the moment Dick was inclined
to resent Michael Fenwick's evident
disinclination to bring Kitty Hazell's
name into the conversation, but think
ing better of it, he brought his hand
suddenly down upon Michael's shoul-
der.
Look here, old chap" he said, with
q show of good-natured frankness that
quite deceived the other 81 don't
want to poke my nose into your love
affairs; I've lived out my soft side. and
don't care a rope-yarn-end' for the
trimmest petticoat that walks the
earth. II you want berth on the Erl
King you can have tim going aboard
now; come along, and you can sign
on, and finish the business"
The two men were standing by the
high wall which bounds the Albert
dock, and but few yards from the
dock gates.
when do you sail?" asked Michael,
rs he went up the Erl Kings gang
way.
DAY after tomorrow" returned the
mate over his shoulder.
Time enough to send letter to
Tat's Corner and get reply"
YES" muttered Dick Corbett as he
unlocked the door of his cabin in the
alleyway opposite the engine room
hatch.
"You can write your letter here" he
continued, before you sign on. After
that, for the sake of discipline, can't
say anything to you much in the day
time-but at night, middle watch some
times, we'll have chance for pa
1aver.'"
Michael Fenwick's letter was to Kit
fy Hazel. 1t was not a long one; just
saying that "she must not think bad
ly of him for leaving her in this way,
and that an unexpected meeting with
Dick Corbett had made things easier
and the future more hopeful"
He was addressing the envelope
when Dick, who had left him for 10
minutes, returned.
The mates eyes cleaned viciously
rs he caught sight of the superscrip-
ton over the others shoulder.
"Shall post 1t for your" he said.
'TNo, Dick-or, Mr. Corbett. sup
pose l ought to say-no, thanks. I've
got to go after my 'duds to the board
tng house."
The other tried hard not to appear
disappointed, and so far succeeded as
20 awaken no suspicion in Michael's
mind OF any desire to tamper with the
letter.
The new A. B. then signed on:
agreed to be on board the following
afternoon and left the ship.
Had he but turned around as hi
went down the gangway he would mo-
have failed to see such an expression
on Dick Corbett's face as the lattel
stood watching. with his arms on tn,
rail, as would have set him thinking
that the easiness of things. and thu
hopefulness OF the future. were no
quite SO substantial as they appeared
20 be.
So he posted the letter in the frs
pillar box and the play went on.
Tak's Corner was a quaint little old
world fishing village ON the west coast
where, seven years before, Dick Cor
bett and Michael Fenwick idled as in
separable cronies.
Kitty Hazel, then q girl Of 16 only
Was pretty and sweet enough to turl
ne heads Of more than one young fel
1ow IN the place. But from the hrst
llichasl nsds the running.