The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-06-04
CAPTAIN JIM'S COURTSHIP
1919 By A. E. RICE, Portland. .s.s.s.s
SSGSaSSSSSSSASS S62aAEl


tract, s-blood, satisfaction. whoop."
These words were scarcely uttered
when several knocks on the front door
sounded with startling effect.
Frank struck a tragic attitude and
exclaimed with a wild laugh, "ha, ha,
he comes he comes"
About the same time, Captain Tom,
having recovered from his fright and
finding himself not pursued made
bold to again peep in the woodshed.
After listening. he cautiously entered,
leaving the door wide open for hasty
retreat. if necessary. He poked the
dir with his club. as he advanced, step
by step. toward the kitchen door, now
listening to indistinct words uttered
N the kitchen. end again advancing.
az Jest want one look at him unhe-
knownst. an then I'll fetch him" On
reachino the door. he suuinted through
the keyhole, and saw a man standing
n few feet distant. that's him. the
tanned rascal" CAPTAIN Tom STRAIGHT
NED ND and seized the door-knob with
his left hand, then looked behind. The
door was open The way appeared
clear for swift retreat. Now is my
chance TO get even" He raised his
club aloft with his right hand, then
suddenly pulled open the door.
In the meantime, Smith having
grasped a chair. exclaimed. "the dirty
gphalpeen. come on" stationed him
self near the front door.
Frank fourished his pistol, and
shouted. "hurrah. whoop."
Captain Jim was also infected with
excitement. and Selling a chair. said
this is my opportunity tew, boys,
md stood beside Smith. ..
Let us put the sthrCkes on i'm out
side. an not DISGRACE the house with
his groans," WHISPERED Smith.
Let 'er go Gallagher. whoop" re-
pied Frank. and he laughed low de-
moniacal laugh
Smith exclaimed "come on" unlock
ed and opened the front door and rush
I'd out with a yell, followed by Captain
jim
Frank, however. did not follow them.
He slammed the door shut and com
menced to laugh. He laughed immod-
arately. and without any intention on
his part. and while Keeling about and
holding his sides. arrived close to the
kitchen door. leading to the shed. In
fact, he undesignedly stood facing it
and looking straight at it, the very
moment Captain Tom opened it.
The sudden and most unexpected
appearance of Captain Tom, menacing-
ly holding aloft club, was as start
hing to Frank, as Franks villainous APP
pearance was to Captain Tom.
Frank fell back astonished, all the
'augh taken out of him, and Captain
rom was so terrified at Franks ap-
pparance and armament that he eiac-
ulated. hell fire" and back through
the open shed door he bolted again.
In order to explain those particular
knocks on the front door, and which
caused the war-like "sortie" by Smith
and Captain Jim, it will be necessary
to go back a little.
Barbara proceeded on her mission
for the brandy stopping now and then
TO look at the display in some of the
store windows. She felt more than
usually light-hearted and gay. for she
had four bits. the gift of Captain Jim,
which she could call her own. Many
things she would like to buy for her
self. but her two little sisters must
have something too, and Annie also,
for the child. with all her tom-boy
manners, neglected education and
severely practical disposition. loved
her mother and little sisters with an
intense love.
She passed the drug store, intending
to call for the brandy on her return.
and had looked in different windows
along First street, for something she
was thinking about, meanwhile softly
humming a few notes Of some famil-
TAR ditty. She was possessed Of that
faculty, common to her sex, the facul-
ty of observing and remembering
everything coming within the range
of her vision. While standing in
front of one of the best display win
dows of notion store. between Alder
and WASHINGTON streets, and thoueht-
lessly humming a few notes of that
uuaint and delightful old melody
Comm Thro' the Rye she noticed
4 man slowly pass, and she noted, TOO
that. he was looking at her and that
he at one moment almost halted. turn
Cd and halted again He was a man
fully six feet in height. well built and
clad as a typical miner. His hair was
4 dark brown. full beard. bushy eye
brows and glittering blue eyes.
He smiled and softly exclaimed
Barbara"
How did he know my name? Who
Is he? She looked hard at him. as
these thoughts swept through her
brain.
She was surprised, puzzled. dunn
founded. At length. recovering her
self. she turned full upon him and in
dignantly asked. who air you, a-call-
in Barbara? You've a good deal o.
cheek my old friend" and then added,
II don't know YER"
YES you do" replied he.
"Oh. do l." she quickly rejoined.
perhaps if do, Tim. you'll lend me
a couple o'blts, jest tew prove it,"
"Ill give you a couple of bits and
more" said the stranger smiling. But