Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1903-01-23
THE PLOT THAT FAILED AND WHY.
BY RALPH ENDERBY.


cllned so, owing to the overwhelming
increase in steam trawling, that Mich
ael found it impossible to make a liv-
ing even, while his prospects of marry
ing Kitty seemed more remote than
ever
Then it was that he determined to
go to sea for a year or two. leaving
Tat's Corner with that object, without
saying word to Kitty, or, indeed, to
Kitty's only mistake was, that she
had not told Michael that she had
guessed that Dick Corbett loved her;
her excuse to herself being that no
word had actually been spoken.
There were thus faults on both sides,
the consequences of which might, with
little mutual confidence, have been
averted.
The Erl King was preparing to warp
out of dock, and Michael Fenwick,
sick with disappointment at not hav-
ing had reply from Kitty, was list
lessly climbing up a rope on the TO-
castle head
The chief mate was standing by the
break rail. shouting orders to the man
in charge of the steam winch, when,
casting his eyes for a moment quay
wards, he saw a girls fearful face
looking up at that part of the ship.
He could not take advantage of her
proximity to speak to her; besides,
Michael was too close for that action
to be quite prudent-so he made vir-
tue of necessity, and called his subor-
dinate's attention to his sweetheart's
presence on the quay.
1t would have been rank subordi-
nation to leave the ship, even for five
minutes, so all Michael could do was
to lean over the rail and speak to her.
You shouldn't have come" he said,
first looking round to see that there
were not immediate listeners. I'VE
shall cast off in less than 10 minutes"
Il couldn't let you go without say
ing goodby, Michael"
Eyes, l know; it was wrong of me
did it for the best, Kitty
Don't say anything more about
that, Michael just want you to
promise me one thing"
What is it?'
Promise me you'll do what I've
asked you in this!"
AS she spoke the last word she threw
on board a piece of paper wrapped
round something hard. 1t fell at his
feet, and he picked it up on the instant,
and put it in his pocket.
You mustn't remain any longer,
Kit" (even then the ship had begun
to move away from the quay. "rIl
remember. Good by!"
Good by. DEAR
At that moment Corbett called him
to do something, and when he looked
round again the steamer was hundred
yards from the quay; all he could see
being little figure waving a white
handkerchief.
When they were well in the Mersey
and fairly on their way seward he
took out and read Kitty's last little
note of appeal.
1t was not really a letter; it was
just a request in one sentence:
For your own safety's sake, dear,
and for love of me, beware of Dick
Corbett"
Nothing more. And Michael knew
for the first time that his sometime
friend had not only been false to him,
but that he had also to fear his pres
ent enmity and perhaps violence.
At six bells, first watch, Michael
was relieved, and before descending
to the fo'-castle stood leaning on the
rail, looking at the seething, rushing
water.
Suddenly a hand was laid on his
shoulder. 1t was mate, Dick Corbet.
Gold tonight, Michael" he said.
"Ay-it is that"
Makes you think of-of firesides
and Kitty, our Kitty-eh, Michael?"
Let Kitty's name alone!"
mo offense, mate. But she's not
yours yet
las good as mine. Only this one con-
tract, and then"
You may never finish this one, my
son; the Erl King isn't much of a
boat; she's old and cranky, while seas
are rough and winds high"
"Well. if we go, we go; but If Kitty
can't be mine she shan't be another
mans"
Sure of that?'
Sure as DEATH"
Hope you're right, my boy! Hope
you're right-but-I have my doubts. .
"Of Kitty?" oueried Michael fercely.
Il don't know. Let's change the
subject. Come down to my cabin and
have tot-theres no one about"
Never one to harbor malice or hard
thoughts, Michael assented, and the
two men went below to the mates
cabin.
Up above, the roaring of the ele-
ments: down below, the doing Of
Satan's work.
Michaers lips were no sooner put to
the glass than he was conscious of
something uncanny about it.
There was no delay in its effect.
Seeming to madden and burn like Wit
rol, it produced an instant sense OF
suffocation. but fortunately not of
blank Inconsistencies.
Except the lookout in the bows.
and the man at the wheel. aft, there
was not soul to see Dick Corbett
stagger on to the poop deck with the
inert body of Michael over his shoul-
ders.
| At Tat's Corner Kitty HAZEL sits,
under the lee of some rocks on the
beach. YEARLY mending her nets.
There are half score Of other wo-
men, young and old. working around
her, but she speaks to no one: and,
with the sympathy Of their kind they
leave her severity alone.
BY and by, the old man who per-
forms the duties of letter carrier and