The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1905-01-12

feet.
friend Jim makes a present of and no
| charge, because he loves you so. You're
allowed two minutes to change, an it is
to be hoped as how you won't force me
to come for to assist
1t would have been interesting to
have followed, step by step, the men
tai process that now took place in Ross
Wilbur's brain. The captain had given
him two minutes in which to change.
The time was short enough, but even
at that Wilbur changed more than his
clothes during the two minutes he was
left to himself in the reeking dark of
the schooner's fo'c'stle. 1t was more
than change-it was a revolution.
What he made up his mind to do pre-
cisely what mental attitude he decided
to adopt, just what new niche he elect
ed wherein to set his feet, it is difficult
to say. Only by results could the
change be guessed at He went down
the forward hatch at the toe Of Kitch-
ellis boot-silk hated, melton over
coated, patent booted and gloved in
suedes. Two minutes later there
emerged upon the deck a figure in OIL
skins and a sou'wester. There was
blood upon the face of him and the
CRIME of an unclean ship upon his bare
hands. It was Wilbur, and yet not
Wilbur. In two minutes he had been,
in way, born again. The only traces
of his former self were the patent
leather boots, still persistent in their
gloss and shine, that showed with grim
incongruity below the vast compass of
the oilskin breeches.
AS Wilbur came on deck he saw the
crew of the schooner hurrying for
ward, six of them, Cinnamon every
one, In brown jeans and black felt
hats. On the quarter deck stood the
captain barking his orders.
Consider the Lilee of the Vallee,''
beloved the latter as his eye fell
upon Wilbur the transformed. CLAP
on to that starboard windlass brake.
sonny
Wilbur saw the Cinnamon ranging
themselves about what he guessed was
the windlass in the schooner's bow
He followed and took his place among
them, grasping one Of the bars.
Break DOWN. came the next Or
der. Wilbur and the Cinnamon obey
ed, bearing up and down upon the bars
till the slack Of the anchor chain came
home and stretched taut and dripping
from the haWse holes.
"'Vast heavin'!'
And then as Wilbur released the
! brake and turned about for the next
! order he cast his glance out upon the
| bay, and there, not $50 yards away,
her spotless sails tense, her cordage
humming, her immaculate tanks Slip
ping easily through the waves, the
| forefoot, clean, cleaning, dainty and
/ aristocratic, the Ridgeways' yacht Pet
| rel passed like thing Of life. Wilbur
saw Nat Ridgeway himself at the
| wheel. Girls in smart gowns and
young fellows in white ducks and
| yachting caps-all friends of his
! crowded the decks. A little orchestra
of musicians were Keeling off a quick
step.
The popping Of a cork and gale of
| talk and laughter came to his ears.
Wilbur stared at the picture, his face
devoid of expression. The Petrol came
on, drew nearer, was not hundred
feet away from the schooner's stern.
A strong swimmer. such as Wilbur,
| could cover the distance in few
strokes Two minutes ago Wilbur
might have
':Set your mains'lv' came the below
Of Captain Kitchell. 'Clap on to your
throat and peak halyards!'' i
| The Cinnamon hurried aft.
/! Wilbur followed.