Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-08-08

 pointed afternoon the two officers, both intensely uncomfortable in their best clothes, directed impatient glances up the wharf.
 Here she comes" announced the captain, in tones tremuluous with nervousness. ...,.
 "Who's that tall chap with her?" asked MT. Cross.
 By crickey,' exclaimed Capt. Snow, that's Brent. That'u shiver our plans all to pieces"
 "Not bit of it," retorted the op- timistic MT. Cross. "Diplomacy isn't sand. 1
 The visitors being assisted on' board. Mrs. Bland explained that, as her sister could not come, she had impressed MT. Brent as an escort.
 "Glad to see him. said the captain, mendaciously, and then the sol emnity of introducing the visitors to MT. Cross was performed, after which they all sat down to the table. Tea, cold tongue, biscuits and cake were being partaken of and MT. Cross came out most wonderfully as con- versationalist, when Tommy, in obe- dience to wink from the mate, strolled forward with most ex- pansive grin on his freckled face. Just as he reached the heel of the bowsprit he suddenly disappeared, | and -Ir. Cross, who had been watch ing him out of the corner of his eye, sprang to his feet and rushed for | ward, crying in a stentorian voice: l Man overboard!" -. 'sWhereaway?" shouted the cap tain, springing to his feet and rush ing amidships.
 "on the port bow" yelled the mate, and Mrs. Bland and Mir. Brent, both pale with excitement, hurried towards the bow. Capt. Snow threw off his coat and sprang on the rail. He intended grasping the rigging, but in his hurry his hand slipped and in mo- ment he was foundering in the water.
 'sMercy on us.' screamed Mrs. Bland; ''he'l1 drown. Save him somebody" ''Works like a charm" muttered ; MT. Cross, who, like a true scientist, was so absorbed in watching the re-, suit of his plan that he overlooked i the plight of his commander, who was beating the water with his hands and sending forth intermittent mouthfuls of water and shouts for help. '.Won't somebody do something!" cried Mrs. Bland. ''Mr. Brent, ftrx save the captain; that other man seems turned to stone"
 Thus adjured MT. Brent seized a rope and hurled it recklessly in the direction of the f1oundering mariner By lucky chance, the end of the l line struck Capt. Snow on the hSad, i and he managed to grasp it. Then, with the assistance of the natey who had awakened from his scientific trance, the captain was dragged on board.
 Run below and change your ] clothes" cried Mrs. Bland. You'll ] catch your death of cold.'' s-s
 At your age, too." put in Mir. Brent.
 The captain scowIed at Mir. Brent and hurled a most malevolent glance in the direction of MT. Cross, then he hurried to the cabin, leaving a trail of moisture behind him. ~ '' #, < V :. When he disappeared down the ladder, Tommy climbed up the bob stay, where he had been squatting, and in perfect spasm of grins, fled into the forecastle. ! When Capt. Snow, in dry raiTnent, 1. returned to the deck, he accepted congratulations in me1anch o1y < manner, and drawing Mr. Brent to one side, whispered:
 "T'm much obliged to you, you saved my life, for that 1ubber of a mate don't know enough to cast a line to drowning man. Tin great on gratitood, and give you the right O way" .>@.
 "Give me whst?" asked the aston ! ished MT. Brent.
 "Why," said the captain, "I take it we are both steerin' for the same port--Mrs. Bland. I now drop an- chor in your favor"
 ''I don't egzactly understand you, captain," said MT. Brent.
 sYou are courting Mrs. Bland,'' re- piled the captain, "so am I. You saved my life. retire from the race" --..... f "Capt. snow,'' said MT. Brent. sol 1 emnly, II have been married five years to Mrs. Blands cousin. I was 1 merely paying & few visits at her house while in the city,
 'I have made mistake in my ob- servations," said the captain. 'I beg 1 your pardon, sir"
 Mir. Brent .chuckled.
 q expect she helped you make the mistake" said he. "She's bit of a fiirt, and may be she wanted to hurry you on."
 "Do you think SOP" asked the cap- tain, eagerly.
 "She's down in the cabin now" re- piled MT. Brent. "If I was you, I'd go down there and ask her''