Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-10-24

oout IL III hau 10 do any more SWIM
min. Mebbe / won't hev' ter"
And Capt. Amos-with q deep-water
sailors unerring spring, landed square
ly on the boats half-deck.
The red of the sunset faded into
pearl-and darkening gray. From the
lighthouse on Fort Point a golden fin
ger shot seward and the frosted edge
OF the full moon crept gradually into
the olCudlesS sky. An pexplicable
spell, conJured perhaps by he half
mysterious peace brooding .nder the
wings OF the coming night flooded
Capt. Amos soul, awakening old and
potent memories.
"Lem?" he said diffidently--uncon-
sciously using the familiar diminutive
that had not passed his lips for years
I-"jyor notice how terribly pretty the
sky looks over there to the westard?
amt seen 1t look like that for years.
an it sorter reminds me OF the time
we was young fellers-with old man
Bragg in the Dreadnaught-in 49,"
Yes assented Capt. Lemuel,
thoughtfully, AN speakin' bout the
Dreadnaught, do you remember how
we ulster hook share OF the grJg
bein' too young TO hev' any, regular.
Blamed if | don't wish | had that OIL
tin pannikin o mine here now, with
some III it,"
Capt. Amos heart gave a sudden
throb of anticipation.
say" he remarked deprecatingly,
course l amt a-sayin' there is any
thing o that sort aboard this dory: but
s'pcsin' there wuz? Would you prom
ise-on the Bible If we had one-not
TO say anything to-to-Fairport, bout
my beln' capsized-if / gin you
some?"
Capt. Higgins stopped his oar and
reaching forth, grasped his 1ory-
mates shoulder, whirling him around
unceremoniously.
DO you mean to say you've got
some ticker. Amos Stubs ?" he de-
snanded sternly.
Capt. Stubs explained and produced
the flask.
Capt. Higgins elevated IL for long
minute and returned it with q deep
sigh or satisfaction.
It's curious how set some women
is agiu' little Ticker" he commented,
with glistening eyes; "all foolishness,
too"
so 'tis-so it's" concurred Can't.
Amos, raising the flask in turn. II az
lus said so; specially if their fust hus-
bands couldn't stand much; women ie
ALFRED queer, anyhow"
They certainly be-" acknowledged
the tall captain. cycling the mask hope
fully, AN that's one reason I've been
so everlastin' s'prised at seem you a.
chasin' one of 'em at your time OF life,
THROWN over OIL friends an actin
stubborn an cont'ray-'s IL you was a
young Teller O. co.
Me a-chasin' of emf" retorted Capt.
Amos Indignantly. What hev' you
been dCin' yourself, I'd like TO know?
Amt you been a-goin' up 10 the wild
der's every Thursday night for the
last three years? An tryin' to pizen
her mind agin' me? 'Tain't your fault
she amt Mis- Lemuel Higgins this
mint, nuther-why don't you say
suthin?"
Capt. Higgins moistened his lips.
IF want for things beiD' as they
be" he ventuIed hesitatingly, 81 dunno
but I'd be tempted to make a sorter
proposition 10 you, Am Stubs: but /
s'pose ii wouldn't be no use-you bein'
so set on marryin' Mis- Tompkins."
II Cont sees I'm any more set on
marryin' OF her than you be-" Capt
Amos retorted, with asperity. What
kind Of proposition was y0a thinkin'
o. maxine"
We'll" returned Lemuel. moving his
oar aimlessly, Il was goin' 10 say that
II things was the same between US an
they was once mean If there want
no widder-I'd ask you IL You didn't
want 10 come in with me on my new
lobster contract? There'd be good
money for both OF us in it, an I'va
got 70 hev' somebody"
Capt. Amos rubbed his chin, staring
ahead az the wide and scIntillating
fairway the moon had flung down
clear TO the dOry's bow.
Look here, Lem!" he blurted b,lelx.
lily over his shoulder "mebbe I'm a
fool; but somehow, talkin' over old
times same's we've been doin'. has
kinder made me feel diff'reDt from the
way I've been a-feelin'. IL seems to ne
i amt 50 ALFRED set on the wilder az
i thought I was. I'm gettin' along in
years an I'm a good deal more set in
my ways than you be-you hev'ing
tIaen rlarried once-so-so-so--" des-
Perately-"I'li come to the weddin'.
aan't sayin' this on account o. the offer
you made me. nuther-though I'd be
mOTe'n glad 10 take up with Il an de-
the eOOtin'," he concluded resoIutely
DO you mean TO say that youn give
up the wilder 20 me?" faltered Cant
Lem S. a curiOusly SILKY voice.
That's jest what ! mean" replied
Capt. Asoos, steadily. i've made up
my mind chat there's some things that
Is more precious to an 81 Teller like
me than the love O, any wnrnan. al.