The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-27
On the Pilotboat.
By EdlDin Murphy.

! returning to the southwest and his ranches
| on the afternoon express.
| The vessel was gliding from the dock and
| the young people rushed to the rail enjoying
! the anlazement on friendly faces at sight
| 9f Nell still on board. Mr. Humphreys was
| not looking at the crowd en- the pier, but at
| Jack Hunter, studying him with the keen,
calculating glance OF man Of business, and
yet In time lis glance softened, and he took
the young mans arm impulsively.
A Come along, Jack, and we'll make every
Ihlng sure for your trip back to New York.
dHls when you get through waving those
| ABSURD hags and have wiped your eyes, go
doWn to the saloon and see the flowers and
lrult your eXtravagant admirers have sent
YOU"
But the two men did not turn right in to
see either the captain or the pilot. They
! walked to a deserted conner of the boat as il
by mutual consent, and the elder man began
| sententiously:
Ever been out west, JACKIE,
| ''No, SIR"
Then you don't know what grub stalking
| is, do you?
1--WE pretty fair idea. Mr. Humphreys.
well, Jack, my lad, think I'll grubstake
you In this deal. ! believe the inyestne
Will pan out all right. If YOU keep things
running smoothly while I'm gone, you'll have
| an interest in the concern when I come back
That ought to put you on your mettle''
t1uHter tFled &c say something, but the
words choked him. He looked his gratitude
There, there. Don't make promises Work.
| And might as we'll be frank enough to say
that, while like you. it's for the girl
| knew her mother-years ago. Then with
sudden change of manner and something that
| bordered closely on wink, he added, Now
! for the pilot
The last farewells had been spoken. The
| Humphrey girls had clung tearfully to Nell
as their last link with the home land which
| had become inexDlicablY and suddenly dear
to them, then pushed her away with messages
and flowers, consigning her to the tender mer-
cies OF Jack, the pilot, and saucy little tug.
Nell and Jack had been sitting in the di-
minutive cabin talking of many things and
| thinking Of but one, when suddenly the girl
glanced at her watch and uttered an exclama-
ton:
Where are we? I'm dreadfully afraid we
| won't get tc town in time
! She rushed on deck and gave a dismayed
little cry.
! Why, We're not going back to the city at
all. We're still in the Narrows. Jack, Jack,
| whatever shall we do? Mr. Blackmore will
! never forgive my rudeness.''
Jack led her back into the small cabin,
! safe from inqusitive eyes.
'Do you really care, Nell, whether he ever
| does forgive ycu?'
| Her honest eyes fell before his.
! "Father-you know how he feels"
! What l want to know is how you feel.
! Are you willing to wait? Oh, Nell, Mr.. Hum
phreys is going to do all sorts of things for
me if only you'll wait. This was his plan
| -,
He stopped guilty. and Nell's eyes opened
wide.
do you mean-Jack, Jack, you're not kid
I mapping rne?"
"Gracious, nor came the astonished reply.
| 'We-I-you see-the captain of this tug and
| the pilot want to hang round the harbor until
they pick up an incoming vessel. That's only
business, you know he added hastily. Its
catching money coming and going, don't you
see? And by the time we do catch vessel
toward Pittsburg: that's ALL"
"Oh Jack you're so clever' This in muf-
fed tones, for Jack had followed up his adj
vantage in true lovers fashion.
He sighed even in his moment Of happiness.
ut is only the first move I'm afraid that
Arthur Reginald is still in the game
| 1t was dusk when hanson stopped before
| the Bronze residence and somewhat ner-
| Vous demsel was restored to the bosom OF
I her scandaliZed parent Jack insisted upon
making the explanation, and how well he did
| it can best be judged from this extract from
a letter which followed Mr. Humphreys by
the next mail:
The first move scored. Mr. Bronze raises
the embargo. I may call. | rather think
| who will gamble a months salary on brib-
| ing tug pilot and captain to outwit rival
| has the right stuff in him to make him q
/ hnancier-