Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-02-06


Mr. Stokes listened sympathetically
He was rot a Blue Ribboner and he
had sailed a number of years with Capt.
Mackay.
The pint OF the thing is that Mackay
didn't see you drink hanything, so he
can't swear you were drunk. Vertigo
8 the word for this mix" remarked the
old man, coolly.
Nertigo?" exclaimed Capt Strong.
Yes, vertigo, men stagger lawful
when they have it and it's q common
complaint"
Il don't want to lie about it." objected
Capt. Strong
There's times when lying must be
done" said Mr.. Stokes with firmness
! and this is one of them"
The bewildered captain considered the
situation without committing himself
to Mr.. Stokes expedient
When the Talisman entered the Tyne
1t was too late to dock, so she dropped
her anchors in the stream. Capt Strong
did not go ashore. Newcastle had no
charms for him. To be coidly received
by Doris was blow from which he re-
coiled and he felt sure, strong-minded
enthusiastic girl as she was, that his
weakness would be bitterly resented. He
simply turned in and dreamed depress-
Ing dreams.
In the morning be started for the Of
fice to report his arrival and on the way
came face to face with Doris She &C
knowledged his salutation coldly and
swiftly passed on without giving him
! chance to say a word. When the cap
tain returned to his steamer in the low
est possible spirits Stokes confronted
him at the gangway.
He had grin on his face as he said:
Capt. Mackay's been aboard. He
wanted to have talk with me and says
he wants to see you"
: Capt. Strong said nothing. He did not
want to see Mackay and he walked up
and down the bridge until the whirr and
clatter of the blocks as they hoisted UP
the cargo set him mad and he left the
ship. He went to the Office, where a
clerk told him Capt. Mackay had en-
quired for him. What could Mackay
want with him. To insult him probably
on top of his present troubles. He
would stand no lecturing from him. He
I took long walk into the suburbs and
was returning slowly when he felt him
self seized and pushed against wall.
K Vertigo" exclaimed Stokes voice,
at II be the death of i'm"
! Strong angrily shook himself free and
! was about to pour out the walls of his
wrath on Stokes when he noticed Miss
Grey standing near laughing. 81 hope
you will recover, Capt Strong" she said
and walked on.
What the devil did you mean by
that?" asked the captain of the grirning
Stokes.
1 was helpin' you out don't you see :?
was shown the young Teddy how y ou
had vertigo and with this remark Mr..
Stokes disappeared into public house.
Capt. Strong continued his course to
the steamer and was disagreeably sur
prised TO find Capt Mackay seated in the
, cabin waiting for him.
! Il want to have a word or two with
you, Duncan said he The last time we
, met was in tram car in Baltimore"
! Capt. Strong nodded sulkily.
! Il suppose you thought II queer I did
not speak TO you in the TRAMP" cor
| tinued Mackay
/ As Capt. Strong did not think It was
queer he said nothing.
you see,' said Mackay, moistening
his lips as II the words did not come
freely, Il had n bad attack of vertigo
and when 1t comes on / can't ride and
can't speak word to any one"
Capt. Strong stared at him in mute
wonder.
Il knew you were hurt at my not speak
Ing to you" resumed Mackay, land I
wanted to explain. Now, / don't want
you TO say anything to Doris about my
attack, as she is so easily alarmed about
sickness. Come up tonight" After
Mackay had left and he had come out
of his trance of establishment, Capt
Strong felt like she uting with joy. Evil
IDENTIFY Mackay bad told Doris nothing.
There was something mysterious about
1t, but this fact was evident and he
hastily dressed himself to call on her.
AS he cane on deck he noted Mr.. Stokes
In Commissions of mirth leaning against
the side. What did he say" enquired
that gentleman in a voice stified with
laughter
What did you say to Capt. Mackay p"
asked Capt. Strong
"He wanted advice" replied Mr..
Stokes, choking with laughter. "and
gave it to him"
Strong raised his hand menacingly,
but Stokes escaped below and the cap
tain fastened to call on Doris. He soon
found her GOODNESS of the previous day
was the result of piQue that he did not
come to see her the evening Of his ar
rival. He had most pleasant visit and
returned to the steamer In high spirits.
! I'D never have thought It OF Mackay.
never" said Capt. Strong to himself as
he went to bed. ,.,,.,,i
I