The Washington times., 1906-06-17

hand; Mrs. Waters, sitting Dehlnd
the tiny bar IN a tall Windsor
chair, eyed him with some heat
My feelings1l never change"
said the boatswain.
Nor mine either" said the land
lady, sharply. It's a strange
thing, Mr. Benn. but you always
ask me TO marry you after the
third mug"
It's only to get my courage
up" Naded the boatswain. Next
time I'll do 1t afore 1 ave a drop;
that1l prove TO you I'm in earn
est"
He stepped outside and closed
the door before the landlady could
make a selection from the many
retorts that crowded to her lips.
After the cool bar, with its smell
OF damp sawdust, the road seem
ed hot and dusty, but the boat
swain, a prey to gloom natural TO
a man whose hand had been re-
fused fve times in a fortnight,
walked on unheeding. His steps
Jagged. but his brain was active.
He walked for two miles deep
in thought. and then coming to a
shady bank took a seat upon an
inviting piece OF turf and lit his
pipe. The heat and the drowsy
hum OF bees made him nod; his
pipe hung from the corner OF his
mouth, and his eyes closed.
He opened them at the sound of
approaching footsteps, and. feeling
In his pocket for matches, gazed
lazily at the intruder. He saw
tall man carrying a small bundle
over his shoulder, and IN the erect
carriage, the keen eyes, and
bronzed face had little difficulty
in detecting the old soldier.
The stranger stopped as he
reached the seated boatswain and
eyed him pleasantly.
Got a pipe O. baccy. mater" he
inquired.
The boatswaIn handed him the
small metal box fl which he kept
that luxury.
Lobster. amt your" he said.
afably.
The tall man nodded. Was" !"
he replied. Now I'm my own
chief"
Padding it?" suggested the boat
swain, taking the box from him
and refilling his pipe
The other nodded. and with the
air OF one disposed to conversa-
ton dropped his bundle in the
ditch and took a seat beside him.
1--WE got plenty Of time" he re-
marked.
Mr.. Benn nodded. and for a while
smoked on in silence. A dim idea
which had been In his mind for
some time began to clarity. He
stole a glance at his companion-a
man OF about thirty-eight, clear
eyes, with humorous wrinkles at
the corners, a heavy mustache,
and a cheerful expression more
than tinged with recklessness.
Amt over and above fond o.
work." suggested the boatswain.
when he had finished his inspec-
ton.
Il love it." said the other, blow
ing a cloud of smoke in the air.
but we can't have all we want
in this world it wouldn't be good
for US"
The boatswain thought Of Mrs.
Waters. and sighed. Then he rat
tied his pocket.
Would arf a quid be any good
10 you?" he inquired.
Look here" began the soldier;
lust because 1 asked you for a
pipe o baccy-"
mo offense," said the other,
quickly. Il mean If you earned
it?"
The soldier nodded and took his
pipe from his mouth. Gardening
and windows?" he hazarded. with
a shrug of his shoulders.
The boatswain shook his head.
"Scrubbing. p'r'aps?" said the
soldier. with a sigh of resignation
Last house 1 scrubbed out I did
It so thoroughly they accused me
OF pCuching the soap. Hang 'emi"
And you didn't?" queried the
boatswain. eyeing him keenly.
The soldier rose and. knocking
the ashes out Of his pipe, gazed at
him darkly. Il can't give It back
70 you." he said. slowly, because
I've smoked some of It, and
can't pay you for it because I've
only got twopence, and that l want
for myself. So long, matey, and next
time a poor wretch asks you for a
pipe, be civil"
Il never see such man for TAX
Ing offense in all my born days." ex-
postulated the boatswain. Il 'ad my
g.