The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-07-10
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Is MOrOran. Is
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IA BY John Fleming Wilson. n
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e. HSOANs uu4 u AilI1S III DC'
cember when the collier Aztec
left Mororan, which lies in the Straits
OF lsangar. The ship was dirty, and
her officers utterly wearied by the
effort to get to sea before an APP
preaching storm should seize them
harbor-bound. So when the last load
of "coalies' had put off for the shore,
the third mate without delay re-
ported to the captain that the steam
er was clear of the men and women
who for ten days had been dumping
their coal baskets in every conceiv-
able opening from the entrance to
the epgine-room, to the lazarette
ventilators.
THANK heaven!" said the captain.
Cup anchor. Mr.. Stallard."
When they were clear of the har-
Dor and the grimy Aztec was shifting
the stiff easterly wind, the mate left
the deck where he had spent the
last "a hours and went to his room
to clean up for breakfast.
In the gloom of his cabin he did
not at first notice that the bunk was
occupied. When his eye caught sight
of a form under the blankets he
gasped. A thousand fancies flashed
within his mind, but they all van
ished when he somewhat roughly
turned back the edge of the covers.
He left the room, closing the door
softly after him and went around to
the third mates cabin. He found him
deep in soap and water, thrust a
towel into his astonished hand, and
dragged him out on deck. What in
blazes-" commenced the third
mate.
His superior deigned no answer but
opened the door of his own cabin
and pulled him in. "What in heavens
name," protested the third mate, an
grily, what in Heavens name have
i done now?"
"Done!" echoed the mate. "Look
here!" and he drew back the blan-
kets.
Sound asleep, with her head on
her arm lay a little japanese girl
of perhaps 10 years. The two men
gazed and were silent.
Il thought" said the mate pres
emily, "that you had een to it that
the ship was clear of this trash"
His subordinate dried his face with
the towel and muttered from under
his veil: II did go over the ship,
sir, but I'm beggared if / thought it
necessary to look in here"
you're a fool,'' responded his
chief. @You've had experience enough
in these places to know that these
girls drop their coal baskets when
they get a chance and hunt a warm
spot to sleep in. Hush, she's walk
ing"
The little one opened her eyes and
looked ~fearlessly upon the officers.
"Good morning." she said softly.
What are you doing here?n,
growled the mate.
Its warm" she answered, patting
the pillow. ION deck heap cold"
The third mate threw open the door
and pointed out to the waves running
by. Were at sea- he said gently,
land you're leaving home"
Her eyes shone somewhat mis-
chieyously the mate thought, and
she stretched out her hands. "You,
be Kind, matey, you be good? They
beat me at Mororan. No good"
sWhat?" gasped the mate.
sXou be kind!" she repeated shyly.
II make you nice wife. Can make
tea, can make cigarette. Good wife
to You," and she nodded her head
gravely.
u don't want you for a wife,
thundered the mate. .sI'ye got one
home
There was q child-like note of. app
peal in the girls voice. when she turn
ed TO the younger man. You like
svife?n she asked.
Before the third officer could utter
J word, the mate broke IN: mo, he.
doesn't andsif he did, it would not
besy0u. q girl"
The tonewls harsh. best
pe;'sa she tedslpttteolsly
n gtsIAlSaSli ysnItGred tie third