Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1903-08-19

grayely.
Il don't want you for a wife, -
Numbered the mate. 1--WE got one
home
There was a child-like note of ap-
peal in the girls voice when she turn
ed to the younger man. You like
wife?" she asked.
Before the third officer could utter
a word, the mate broke in: NO, he
doesn't. and if he did,. it would not
be you, my girl"
The tone was harsh. Don't beat
me-" she cried piteously.
Mr.. Stallard," ventured the third
mate, suppose we see if we can't get
the old man to put her ashore at
some fishing village"
THAT won't do,' answered the
mate, after a pause. poor little
thing. We can't do that"
Something's got to be DONE" said
the other.
The little japanese had followed
the expression of their faces, and
with timid assurance she whispered:
You keep on ship. l be good. L
know how to be good English fashion.
l missionary girl
There was no answer to her ap.
peal, and with cry of despair she
sat up. Il good missionary girl she
pleaded. 81 love God. 1 sing"
Softly and clearly she sang:
"He has taken my feet
From the lnire and the clay
And set them on the Rock up Edgeways."
THAT settles it, said Stallard,
huskily, when the plangent voice had
ceased. she's mine. I'll adopt her
Little one, you be good girl, and I'll
look out for you.'
1t was with much difidence that
the mate sought the captain. To him
he explained the situation bluntly and
without sentiment. Simply a case
of have-to," he concluded. Cant put
a kid like that ashore in a strange
place. She's been ill-treated enough
and worse is ahead of her. I'm a
married man and / guess can adopt
her."
you're crazy, Stallard,'' said the
skipper warmly. "You get infatuated
with a little coal girl and want to
adopt her. What will your wife
say?"
The mate flushed. eve haven't any
kid, sir, and 1 give you my word that
L mean to do a fathers duty by that
little girl. She's out of a ditch, 1
know, but she doesn't know what
sin is, and [ think, sir, that maybe 1
can bring her up to be what girl
should be-
Nonsense" said the captain. "You
ought to be acquainted with her sort
better. They're no good"
Trust me, sir" said the mate
doggedly.
The captain pondered a great
while. Finally he rose and pulled
down the log-book. we'll make it
ship-shape. You sign the log, saying
you adopt her and I'll certify to it.
Stallard, don't like this business at
all, but it seems the best way out of
it,"
There is no need" the mate
suggested, "of telling the rest any
more than that I've taken her to edu-
cate?"
well rut the whole thing in the
log" said the captain. "You can
tell 'em what you like outside"
So the entry was made and signed
and the girl, now christened Moro
ran, after her birthplace, was in
stalled in vacant cabin. Few cared
to inquire into the matter, beyond
the details which the mate saw fit
to ditulge.
The very first night Mororan sta
toned herself unobtrusively behind
the mates seat at table and served
him. This was against his purpose,
but threats and promises were of no
avail, and he had finally to accept it.
Within Il week little Mororan was
perfectly at home, and no smile was
provoked when the mate referred to
my daughter For at sea the I'M
usual is the inevitable.
When the Aztec had worked her
slow way down into warmer seas
the stalwart mate spent most of his
spare time on the after-deck with
Mororan beside him. In his awkward
way he strove to tell her the things
he thought good girl should know
She listened, accepted and practiced
dutifully. 1t was not long before
Stallard found that he was the pupil
and she the teacher. She taught him
the fancies and longings and purities
of a maiden's heart There was but
one aspect of her mind that was al
ways dark to him. Missionary girl''
she evidently was; she talked that
kind of English Her creed was Or