Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-11-12

ner Mayo's news spread
S quickly, and people gathered
/, at the postofRce the stores and the bill
| lard room to discuss it. Some Of the
men, notably Cy Warner aud Rufe
! Smith, local representatives of the big
|, Boston dailies. hurried off to the life
; saving station to get the facts at first
| hand Others came down to talk with
Captain Jerry and Elsie. when Daniel
plodded through the gate. drawing the
buggy containing Josiah, Mrs Snow
and Captain Fri
For man who had been described
us half dead" Captain Fri looked very
we'll, indeed. Jerry ran to help him
from the carriage, but he jumped out
himself and then assisted the house
keeper to alight with an air of proud
proprietorShip. He was welcomed to
the house like returned prodigal and
Captain Jerry shook his we'll hand un-
til the arm belonging to it seemed like
ly to become as stiff and sore as the
other. While this handshaking was
going on Captain Fri was embarrass-
ed. He did not look his friend in the
face. and most of his conversation
was addressed to Elsie
As soon as he had warmed his hands
and told the story Of the wreck and
rescue he said: Jerry come up to my
room minute. wont you? I've got
somethin' I want to say
! Vaguely wondering what the private
converse ton might be, Jerry followed
, his friend upstairs When they were
in the room Captain Fri closed the
door and faced his companion. He
was confused and stammered a little
| as he said Jerry. rve-Ive got some
thin to say to you bout Mrs Snow"
Then it was Captain Jerry's turn to
be confused.
Now, Eri.'' be protested. ''tain't
fair to keep pesterin' me like this.
know l amt said nothin' to her yit,
but I'm gon' to- l had week. any
how, and It amt ha'f over Let me
alone till my time is up, can't you:'
81 was jest goin' to tell you that you
won't have to ask. I've been talkin' to
her myself, and
The sacrifice sprang out of his chair.
''Eri Hedge" he exclaimed indignant
~, II thought you was friend of
mine: l give you my word I'd do it in
a week, and the least you could have
done, seems to me. would have been to
wait and give me the chance. What
did she say?" he asked suddenly
.'She said yes to what l asked her."
was the reply, with half smile.
Upon Captain Jerry's face settled the
look of one who accepts the melan-
choly inevitable He sat down again.
Il sposcd she would" he said, with
a sigh. ''She's known rue for quite a
spell now. and she's had chance to
see what kind Of man | he. Well,
what else did you do? Amt settled the
weddin' day, have you?" This with
marked sarcasm.
Not yt. Jerry. you've made a mis-
take. didn't ask her for you"
Didn't ask her--ditln't- What are
you talkn' bout then:''
II asked her for myself. She's goin'
to marry me-
The Sacrifice-a sacrifice no longer
sat silent, but curious changes of ex-
piCSSiOii NClC ONCI HIS
surprise, anazement. relief and now a
sort of grieved resignation.
Il feel small enough bout the way
I've treated you, jerry continued
Captain Fri Il didn't mean to-but
there, it's done, and all can do is say
I'm sorry and that meant to give you
your chance. l shan't blame you if
you git mad, not a bit, but hope you
won't"
Captain Jerry sighed When he spoke
it was in tone of sublime forgive
ness.
Fri" he said, Il amt mad. l won't
say my feelin's amt hurt. cause
'cause-well, never mind. If wife
and home amt for me. why. l ought
TO be glad that you're goin' to have
'em. wish you both luck and good
wage Now, dol. talk to me for a
few minutes. Let me git sort of used
to it.
SO they shook hands. and Captain
Fri, with troubled look at his friend,
went out After he had gone Captain
Jerry got up and danced three steps Of
an mprovised jig. his face one broad
grin
If the announcement of Captain Pc
RES cngase:ncnt caused no surprise,
that of Captain Eri's certainly did