The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1906-08-07


A few days later, as Betty was TAX
ing her usual walk on the deck before
breakfast she was conscious of the unA
mistakable sound OF voices raised in
anger floating down from the wheel
house. Her nimble feet carried her
swiftly up the ladder to the wheel
house door. She stood for an instant
listening to the rapid flow of wrath
laden words.
Il tell You captain" Numbered Bud
Sloane, his huge fist swinging in the
air, Il won't take that wheel unless
you come to terms, SO that's all I've
got to say"
And | tell you, Bud Sloane" shout
ed tLe captain, his weather-beaten face
streaked with purple, IN see you in
h first. I've stood here for "a hours
how, and I'll drop in my tracks be-.
ore"
"Oh, Daddy, dear" interrupted an
agitated Betty, running to his side and
winding sympathetic arms round his
mack, you'll make yourself sick. You
know the doctor warned you"
why, Betty, child broke in the
captain, his voice sinking to an
ashamed whisper, did you hear ms
swear"
Betty did mot answer him. she
turned her soft eyes, glistening with
dew-like moisture on the anger-dls-
tOrted face Of Bud Sloane.
"Oh, Mr.. Sloane" she said, reproach-
fully. how cruel of you to let POOR
Daddy stay at the wheel so long, ana
all because" Her voice died away IN
little sob, the fresh bloom OF ner
cheek famed 20 vivid red as the
brown eyes sank beneath the worship
ing glance of the gray. Bud stood Tor
an instant in an attitude of indecislon.
shook his huge bulk, stretched his
hand out to the captain, and said:
"Pll take the wheel right now, sir.
You go and get bite to eat with Miss
Betty, then turn in for long spell.
III run Oher straight and true, sir If
have to smash the whole blamed crew
to do it,"
To Capt. Carew's surprise, he heard
no more about the wage question. Also
Bud Sloane developed a willingness
and eagerness to please which delight
ed the captain, who praised him to the
dainty Betty, who bewildered him by a
marked Indifference in Mr.. Sloane's
welfare.
However Indifferent Betty chose to
be, certainly she could not complain OF
that same trait in Mr.. Sloane. He
wooed her at every opportunity, seem
ing to gain fresh impetus from ner
scornful treatment Of him, till Betty.
declared she would tell her father.
"Of course we will, Miss Betty" said
the irrepressible Bud Il want every
thing to be fair and square; nothing
underhand, Ell, girl"
you take too much for granted, Mr..
Sloane said Betty, severely. II think
it very improper to be always fight
ing"
I've cut that all out, Miss Betty.
I'm going to be-well I'm going TO be
a model of propriety from this on"
Just then two roustabouts iounged
by with a sheer on their faces, evil
dence of their contempt for the mate.
Bud lurched before Them his muscular
arms swinging in threatening man
ner.
Don't you dare screw that ugly
phiz of yours like that, Sam Barnes, ,"
said he, "'c cause if you do, it's liable
to get knocked straight again"
Bah" spat Sam, bud Sloanes
knuckling to woman. Hes" Sam
never finished his sentence, for Bud
put his power of speech out Of COM
mission. When the storm had blown
over and his partner had fled, Bud
found himself confronting a scornful
Betty who walked past him with her
head held very high; leaving Bud be-
hind, swearing softly at his huge fists.
Bud kept out of Betty's way, devot-
ing himself strictly TO his duty, till
Capt Carew, delighted by Buds untir~
ing energy, eonfided to an apparently
uninterested Betty that he was the
best mate he had ever had.
When the boat got to Duluth. Bud
sought out Betty in the cabin. Her
brown eyes flashed when his huge bulk
INSTRUCTED the door, but Bud never
wavered.
81 came to ask your pardon, said
he, twisting his cap with nervous
brown hands, before | leave for the
west. I've concluded to take myself
out there and begin over again |
don't blame you a bit, girl" his big
voice breaking a little. as he pictured
the future without Miss Betty's 80
witching form fitting tantalizlngly
near him You're away above such
rough lump as me. 1t seems
can't KEEP my fists from knocking
them roustabouts down, SO l just