The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-06
AN UNrANGLED TANGLE
BY ,. PLuMMER.

llCopyright. 1904. by Daily Story Pub. Co.
 The schooner David DfIi was loaains Humber at the little North Carolina town and Captain Stillcombe was chipping to bacco on the after house when he looked Iup, hearing steps, and beheids Captain Bowne of the schooner Ceres.
 "psn'i." said Captain stiilconabe. 'hov lair you?'
 Captain Bowne replied that he was taut land then produced letter from his lpocket.
 "Josh," .said he. 'I want you to do me Ia sarvice. l want you to give this hyaI
 letter to Marshy Pike when you get tc New Haven."
 Hey you forgot that Uncle Sam car Iries letters, Dan'l" asked Captain Still. lcombe.
 "Its important thet this letter should
 he put in Marshy's hand" said Captain
 Bowne with decision. "ef it goes by mail
 Lydia'll get it fust and she'll make fun of it. You know how thet pesky Lydia makes fun of everything" l Captain Stillcombe shook his head as If sadly cognfsant of Miss Lydia's failing l The brown face of Captain Bowne put on deeper tint and he shufied with his feet.
 "rn read it." he said and proceeded to do so fin monotone. | "Beeloved Marshy: I have dislssvered I love you. If you will marry mo write me in care of Smith & Baggv. New York. If you won't, don't. I might possible drown myself. Gsod Bye" -'" --~-
 ''I<ind O short," commented Captain Stillcombe.
 There's no use carryin' more canvas than the wind calls for" urged Captain Bowne; you're likely to carry away a spar" | "Pn deliver it," said Captain stillcombe with solemnity and, as he was about to deposit it in his pocket, he paused.
 You didn't sign it," he said. Captain Bowne smiled. "Oh, she'll know who writ it, he said. ter his friend as he pulled away to the Ceres and placed the letter carefully in his inside pocket. When the David Dill arrived off New Haven she received orders to go to Prov. ldence and discharge; a tug would come out for her at once. From Providence she was to proceed at all speed to New York to fill hurry charter for Charles. ton.
 Hence Captain stlllcombe descended on the city of New Haven like a whirlw wind. He rushed to the residence of the Misses Pike and, on the appearance of Marcia, damned the letter invo her hand and muttering a farewell hurried of to the office of the owners of the vessel and from thence back to the vessel. In a miracle of time consumption the captain reported to Smith & Saggs, New York. as ready for cargo. Here's a letter for you. captain" said one of the clerks, the day the schooner was to sail, tits been here three days, but that lump of an ofice boy dropped 1t among some papers," Captain Stillconbe put the letter in his pocket and went aboard his schooner an- chored in tho stream. Giving orders to get under way he open cd the letter and read: Dear Captain Josh: If you'd asked me that question I'd have boxed your jaws. AS I can't reach to New York and do 1t | I have to say. yes. I'll marry you and box them when see you again. Marcia Pike s"P. S. Don't drown yourself I like fish and you wouldn't flavor them nicely. Lydia" The captain fell heavily against the tafi- raIl and gazed blankly over the bay.
 Anchors short" yelled tho mate from 1 the forecastle.
 But Captain StiIlcombe said nothing and the pilot after glancing at him and sniff ing the air as If for the odor of alcohol ordered the anchor heaved up and the ves- sei filled away.