The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-06-09
by
w. w. JACOBS

and rescues her. Dye seer?
81 hear" corrected Mr.. Travers, coldly
"She clings to me-" continued the boatswain with
a rapt expression of face lin her grattood, and,
proud of my strength and pluck, she marres me-"
can get five years honeymoon" said the sol.
der.
The boatswain shook his head and patted tho
others shoulder "In the excitement of the moment
you spring up and escape" he said, with kindly
smile. "Tve thought it all out. You can run much
faster than l can; anyways you will. The nearest
Ouse is arr mile of, as said, and her servant IS
staying till tomorrow at FER Mothers ten miles
away"
Mr. Travers rose to his feet and stretched himself.
Time was toddling" he said, with a yawn.
Thanks for amusing me, mate"
"You won't do itY" said the boatswan eyeing him
with much concern
I'm hanged if do" said the soldier emphaticalIv
Accidents will happen, and then where should be?"
IF they did," said the boatswain, "rd own up and
"Ycu might" said Mr.. Travers, "and then ayaiO
you mightn't. So long, mate"
IIrh make it two quid" said the boatswain,
trembling with eagerness. give took fancy to YOU
you're just the man for the job"
The soldier, adjusting has bundle, glanced at him
over his shoulder "Thankee," he said, with mock
gratitude.
Look ERE" said the boatswain springing up and
catching him by the sleeve; "I1 give It to YOU in
writing Come, you amt faint-heartedY Why, a
bluejacket 'ud do it for the fun O. the thing. If
amt it?' '''
Mr. Travers hesitated and, pushing his cap back,
scratched his head. ~
II gives you the two uuid afore Won 90 into tho
house,, continued the boatswan hastily following I'm
the impression he had made. "Pd give 'em to YOU
now II I'd got 'em with me. That's INV confidence
IN you; likes the look of you. Soldier or sailor,
me afore anybody.
Inc soldier seated himself again and let his bun
aie iall to the ground go on" he said, slowly.
Write 1t out fair and square and sign it, and I'm
The boatswain clapped him on the shoulder and
produced bundle of papers from his pocket "Theres
lecCers Inere with my name and address on 'em" he
said. It's all fair, square and above.board When
You've cast your eyes over them I'll give you the
Mr. Travers took them and, reliphtinp his nine.
smoked in silence with various side glances at his
oomPanlon as that enthusiast sucked his pencil and
sat twisting IN the agonies of composition The doc
n;" nnished-after several failures had been re-
trieved and burnt by the careful Mr. Travers-the
ooatswain heaved sigh of relief and handing IL over
read it. p' GA ""iio n0
Seems all right" said the soldier, folding it up
at eleven tonight"
Eleven it is" said the boatswain brisklv. sand,
"'Iween Pais-here's arr dollar to 90 on with"
ne patted him on the shoulder again, and with
iii n;lt NTeP ouC OF slght as much possible
t,, t hignt walked slowly home His step was light
uas ne carried face in which care and exultation
were strangely mingled
py Ten o'clock that night care was in the ascend
of H anu ny eieVen, when he discerned the red glow
y, Mr lraVers pipe set a beacon against dark
OF hedge, the boatswain was ready to
h bm .a" ms inventive powers Mr. Travers greeted
mn cneerily and, honestly attributng the fact to
good food and couple of pints of beer he had had
since the boatswain left him, said that he was
ready tor angling.
rbsro De- penn grunted and led the way in silence
was no moon, but the night was clear and Mr.
after one or two lighthearted attempts at
m abandoned the effort and fell to whist
Except for one lighted window the VILLAGE silent in
;tk but the boatswain who had been walking
hreatb .ne stealth OF red Indian on the warpath
ea.nea more freely after they had left it behind
ieTewai OF his antics little farther on apprised
mr. Irayers that they were approaching their des
small anu minute or two later they came to a
omS INN standing just on the road "All shut up