The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-18

was. Now, it's Gaines or Twigg in this sum, and one of 'em is the unknown quantity, which is it?''
 Presumably the expert had been con- fronted by more dificult problems than that, for he smiled and said. coolly, he would call on Mrs. Bowes and find out. Captain Twigg shook him warmly by the hand and MT. Hopp departed on his errand.
 Tw1gg. who had awaited his coming few
 ''Well?' said he.
 It'll take another visit to settle the question:" said Mir. Hopp. wearily, but she spoke very encouraging of you.'
 What did she say?" demanded Cap tain Twigg.
 "she said you wasn't such fool as you looked" replied Mir. Hopp, pleasant ly. 'T think she likes you.''
 'Hum!" remarked Captain Twigg. Did she say anything about Gaines "
 Never mentioned his name," replied Mir. Hopp, with contempt.
 The next morning Mir. Hopp deplored the fact that tIfe business of tarring down a part of the standing rigging must perforce be interrupted, as he could not think of getting himself besmeared with tar while intending visit to Mrs Bowes that evening. None of the crew had re- mained and unless the tarring was done at once bad weather might defer 1t in- definitely. In the interests of finding the unknown quantity Captain Twigg promptly suggested that his mate should sit under the awning and keep himself clean while he attended to the tarring.
 When Captain Gaines beheld from the deck of the Shiloh the astounding specta- cle of the commander of a schooner do- ing the dirty work of tarring the rig ging while his subordinate sat at ease under the awning and smoked he direct ly assumed that his rival had propose . to Mrs. Bowes and, having been refused had lost his mind. He determined, that evening. to learn his own fate with the pleasing thought that his rival was now out of the way. Mir. Hopp attired him. self with more than ordinary care in the afternoon and departed for the ship chan dlery, accompanied with Captain Twigg's earnest wish for success. It was nearly midnight when he returned and he sad ly disappointed the anxious Captain Twigg by firmly refusing to say more than that he had found the missing quan- tity and in the morning would disclose the secret in the presence of Captain Gaines.
 'Is he it inquired Captain Twigg, faintly.
 Mir. Hopp laughed hoarsely.
 Gaines came and peeped in the win dow. said he. When he sees me a sittin' tslkin' to the widow he shifts his braces and bears back to the Shiloh"
 Captain Gaines accepted the invitation to a conference in the cabin of the Cli- max with grave doubts, but he came. Without any delay. Mir. Hopp plunged into the subject at issue T have diskivered who 1t is that Mrs. Bowes is goin' to- marry said he; q have found the unknown quantity"
 Who Is it?" exclaimed both captainc together.
 "Mer'
 A heavy silence followed, during which Mir. Hopp filled his pipe.
 T thought" said Captain Twigg, in la bored tones. that you couldn't fall in love"
 ''The staunchest ship'n meet a storm some day that'H bust her up." replied Mir. Hopp. automatically.
 Did you tell her about swimming from the Turk?" asked Captain Twigg.
 'I did"
 And about the Kanaka woman who jumped down a volcano because you wouldn't kiss her?' inquired Captain Twigg.
 ''I did"
 Captain Twigg made a hopeless ges- ture.
 Gaines said he. i've can't fight against such a man as Hopp. When a man of his experience in love starts in other men might as well draw out" Let's go and have a drink" suggested Captain Gaines.
 Captain Twigg arose. but Mir. Hopp laid his hand on his sleeve
 You'll look out for another mater" said he.
 Naturally" replied Captain Twigg.