The Elbert County tribune., 1903-10-22


weeks, and return to New York TO coll
iect the monthly rents on his large
| estate
ma'am.'
"Oh. l don't mind for myself" said
the bewitchlng widow. with swift
upward flash of her adorable eyes:
but my poor little boy-fancy. might
risk his health. might even lose him.
Here she seemed about to give way to
her feelings. but just then. as the cap
tain murmured oh. l hope not" sym
pathetically. the bonne came up 10 say
that the carriage waited. and. with
hurried Thank you so much-good-
by the beautiful widow disappeared.
All, That's something like
womanr' calculated the captain. as
he resumed his official duties. He felt
that Providence had been guilty of
gross injustice In not providing him
with Just such wife. instead of poo 1.
faded. weak-eyed. heart-broken Mrs.
Muggins.
In six weeks the widow appeared
again at the Jersey City Wharf. re-
turning once more from Europe Again
her baggage was examined by the cap
tain, who became more deeply inter
ested than before.
This sort of thing continued for
nearly year. Captain MuggIns was
now violently enamored of the lovely
widow. who long ago had informed
him that her name was Mrs. Cecil. and
that her husbands death had left her
very wealthy. though sadly incon-
venienced by the terms of his strange
Will. Master Henry throve apnce; he
grew wonderfully large and heavy.
and was a remarkably good boy-so
quiet.
He is quite n sailor" said the cap
tain. as he stood examining the trunks
after rather a stormy voyage.
Yes; and poor darling. he cried so
very drcadfully during the passage; he
is quite worn out"
When the widow and the captain had
been acquainted year or SO, the head
officer of the department sent for Cap
tain Muggins one day.
He received him In his private office.
and remarked as soon as he saw him:
Il sent for you. Muggins, for / know
you're very sharp"
Thank you. SIR" replied the captain,
pleased by the compliment
We'll, Muggins. | have something
rather unpleasant to say
Yes. SIR The captain felt rather
alarmed
I've received information that
noted smuggler has been getting ahead
of us for a year. bringing over dia-
Inn la,. 90. u
lars worth of valuabies. have
known 1t for some time; but. though
I've tried every way. I'm blowed IL
l can spot him."
The captains red face grew redder.
Il hope. sir. you don't imagine that
1 neglect my duty?" he said humbly.
NO, l don't. But it's quite possible
that some one has been little too
smart for you"
Il scarcely think that possible said
the captain Indignantly.
We'll. well. the thing is that the
game is going on, and | want to tell
you what I'm going to do. I've sent to
the main office for one of the sharpest
men in the service, and he'll be on the
wharf the next trip"
49, tiiihE'h hNt vi Iulnt
could equal the tint of Captain Mug
gins face.
a detective put on his wharf-to
overlook him.
He dared not offer n remonstrance:
any one who knew him could judge
for himself what n nice time his wife
and daughter would enjoy when he re-
turned to his home. as they were al
ways the helpless victims of his fury
when any indignity was put upon him
by outsiders.
He left the Office and returned to his
duties. His blood boiled with indig-
nation, and he scarcely replied to the
many questions asked him during the
day by those with whom he came In
contact through his official POSITION.
When the steamer arrived, and her
passengers flowed ashore In n stream.
the captain espied the widow advancing
with her usual smile. her nurse. and
her baby
'Ah! How are you, my friend?', sa Id
the charmer. in her usual soft, melodi-
Gus accents.
We'll. thank you. How is Master
HenryY'
"Oh. so well-so beautiful.'
The trunks were passed. and. after n
few pleasant words. the widow pre-
pared to depart. but just as Julia, the
nurse. had announced the carriage, a
quiet-looking man in n plain suit of
clothing stepped up and laid profane
hand on the beautiful shoulder of the
charming widow.
ssCuntfIat
pleasant manner.-New York Weekly.
Nine. Tus-aud's Centenary.