The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-05-28
CAPTAIN JIM'S C0URTSHIP
.s*s.s By A. E. RICE, Portland. 1893
from last week.

Donald took the brandy, sudden ue
sire IN hurst out laughing overpoWereo
ber and her efforts to disguise IT,
caused the apparent tit.
Twas only a chill, jim SAID she
in explanation, 1T comes over me at
times especially when | hear that
Macdonald mentioned
annie be you a-mindin' or no"
offered to put up fer them divorce
costs?" said Jim sympathetically
indeed | do. Jim" replied Annie,
as she wiped laughing tear from hei
eve. Your generosity is noDie'
"Anrie" exclaimed he, as he again
placed his arm about her waist caress
inglv I'D wade through oceans Vi
birthstone fer you na
whist" cautioned Annie some
one is in the she'd" She sprang TO ner
foot moment Of silence was 1ol-
lowed by gentle knocks on the Kitchen
door. nm.
dertone ,,ioa IN
a subdued voice, as he stood up,
reckon il be thet Red MacDonald.
Go into the front room. NO pe.
fer go in the bedroom. He may go gu,
the front door. and If it is Maci'onaiu :,
and he sees you here. he VIII XIII you
"All right" said Jim, as ne moVeu
toward the bedroom door Jest as you
say. Annie" .o,.,, nm
his hat and following him, me shal'
not stay long. -.
pistol from his pocket, turned AROUND III
said II
bought thet fer self protection. lneh
he passed into the bedroom.
Annie flung his hat after him, ana
with the admonition, keep quiet
Jim" closed the door.
The knocks again sounded gently on
the kitchen door.
"Who's there?" inquired Annie, as
she etood in the center of the room.
Can war-rum a Bit If we plaise?
rs very could" These words were
uttered in a rich Irish accent, by some
one in the woodshed. and 1t was evil
dent to Annie the voice was mascu-
line.
After brief silence. she said, come
in"
The door slowly opened and a short,
thick set, elderly man entered and
carefully closed the door behind him.
He wore a grey macintosh that had
seen some wear. with the cape collar
turned I'D about his ears. A dark cloth
can. pulled well down at the peak, left
but small part of his face visible.
The identity of the visitor was thus
practically concealed.
They stood looking at each other In
silence.
Gradually a thrill of misgiving ran
through Annie, and she half turned TO-
ward the bedroom, when the stranger
again spoke.
"Shure," said he, in a soft appealing
tone. this do be Christmas Ave, and
wees are not the daisy to turn me
away. befure ! war-rum me hands.
do be could with the walk firninst the
water" He slowly turned down the
collar of his macintosh, then bowed
and took off his cap.
why Smith" exclaimed Annie in
glad surprise. you almost frightened
me. why didn't you come in at the
front door,"
Didn't know me-" said Smith.
laughing. "Shure. an it's the fur-st
tonne in twinty years" thrusting his
cap in his coat pocket. DO yees know
me now my dear? An be the same
token. will yees liver fergit me- he
continued. as he Familiarity patted her
under the chin. Il just thot I'd sthale
in. an take a look at yees an the chill
der this ave"
"Falin' we'll en-" laughed he, as in
great glee, he gently poked her on the
side with his finger.
why Smith. you do act queer"
said Annie smiling. II thought you
were chilled with the cold?"
Not fer yees darlnt an the grand
chider of yees father, God rest his
soul, he was the best frint liver he'd.
Just the tips ave me fingers Annie
were numb with the load an the walk
furninst the water, but me heart was
war-rum fer yees. an didn't moind
it at ALL at ALL"
What were you loaded with
Smith" said Annie. as she looked
teasingly at him.
He leaned forward and said in half
whisper. 1--WE sane him."
"You have" she quickly replied, and
burst into soft laughter.
Smith looked at her a moment in
silence, as If affronted Then he said
seriously. "shure. didn't he come into
the sthore an buy things fer wees an
the childers' Christmas stockin's. an
says he, now. Smith. yees take thin
up and lave thin in the shid, without
her knowing it. It'll be a foine sur
prise this night" said he, ''indade ii
Will" said l. God bless yees heart, a
foine Christmas box, an they made II
too-so they do. yerself and childers,
God bless yees for it," said I. "And
do wees moind," said he. do it quiet
ly. Smith. Lave ii in the shid an
come away without seeing her" 81
Will. be me faith. will do thot same.
SAID |, an here am an a merry
christmas to yees an the childer; God
bless yees."
When he cnnclndad che launhoa