The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-06-23

Of timber, every bolt and seising. Fhs
taciturn old fellow followed his employ
or without vouchsafng word Of praise
Of his own handiwork. he did not even
deign to point out what had bsen done,
but followed with his head bent forward,
his knotted fingers clasped behind hia
back. As it happened there was no nseo
to draw attention to such details, iof
here again Tyars displayed the unsRfins
powers Of his singular memory. NO tiny
alteration escaped him. There seemed 60
be in his mind minute inventory OF the
ship. for without effort he recalled the
exact state of everything at an earlier
period, vaguely designated as befors
went away"
When the inspection was finished the
two men walked slowly aft, and, stand
ing there beside the high, old-fAsAfsoeo
wheel, they gaxed forward.
II believe" said Tyars, at le1Gth, thai
I have found the man want-ny Hrss
mate"
/ aye" said the old fellow, in = non.
eommittal voice.
"A royal navy man..
There was the faintest whistle audible
in the stiffness Of the deserted dock.
Tyars looked down at his companion,
whose gaze was steadily riveted on the
foretop-gallant mast. The whistle was
not repeated, but the straishtfoTvard
sailor disdained to alter the form OF hia
twisted lips.
Il had" continued Tyars, calmly, IAN
other very good man-cook and steward
but he died of yellow fever"
Peters turned slowly and contemplate
ed his employers face before answering.
"Ay"
"This fellow was just the sort Of chap
l want. Plenty of hard work in him,
and always cheerful Sort of man to die
laughing, which, in fact, he did. Ths
last sound that passed his lips was q
laugh"
As they were standing there, Peters,
the younger, emerged from the small gal
ley amidships, bearing a tin filled with
potato peelings, which he proceeded to
throw overheard. Seeing this. the proud
father eyed his employer kssnly, and
moved from one sturdy leg to the ether.
He clasped and unclasped his hands. At
last he threw up his head boldly.
"And the lad?' he said, with some
abruptness.
Tyars looked critically at the youth
and made no answer. His face hardened
in some INDISPENSABLE way, and from the
movement of mustache and beard, it seem
ed az if he were biting his lip.
There's plenty o work in him, an
he's cheerful" almost pleaded the man.
Tyars shook his head firmly. Had
hn
would have admitted readily enough that
he was man with purpose.
He is too young, Peters"
The carpented shuf]ed awkwardly, A1s
lips close pressed.
Have We thowt on it?'' he inquired.
Tyars nodded.
I'D give FIVE years O. my life to have
the lad wi u.s." he muttered.
Cant do it, Peters"
"Then l Wilma go without him." said
Peters. suddenly. He thrust his hands
into his trousers pockets and stood look
ing down at his own misshapen boots.
The faintest shadow of a smile fict-
cred through Tyars' eyes. He turned and
looked at his companion. Without the
slightest attempt at overbearance, he
said pleasantly:
Eyes, you will. and some day you will
thank God that the boy was left behind" "
Peters shrugged his shoulders and
made no answer. For the first time in
his life he had met will equal to his
own in stubbornness, in purpose. And it
was perhaps easier to give in to it be-
cause in method it differed SO entirely
from his own. 1t is possible that in the
mere matter of strength Peters was a
mental match for his employer, but Ty.
ars had the inestimable advantage OF ed
ucation.
The little boat was urged to the shore
in the usual jerky manner, while the
clumsy, red-faced sailor stood watching
from the deck. He noted how Tyars was
talking to the boy, who laughed at times
in CHEEKY way.
"Ay," muttered Peters, with 4 short,
almost bitter laugh. there's some that
is born to command.
As Tyars passed out of one gate OF
the London and st. Katherine's Dock, 4
lady entered the premises by another.
They passed each other .unconsciously
within a few yards. Had either been a
moment earlier or a moment later they
would have met.
The imposing gate-keeper touched his
hat respectfully to the lady, who was
Miss Agnes Winter.
Go oe continued.l