The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-03-27

he guessed that was about it, Gus
took his arm, and they moved down
the path and down the rough stone
steps to the sidewalk.
"Why, | haven't seen you for an
ager said Gus. "And you haven't
written for nearly three weeks. Why
did you come home now? You didn't
expect to come home SO soon, did
your
Bradley explained why he had come
home. Captain Titcomb had left the
Thomas Doane, he said, and he had
left with him. He didn't tell the real
reason for the leaving, but limited at
dissatisfaction with the owners. To
head off further questions on this tic
klish subject he asked Gus what she
had been doing that winter.
"Well'' she said, 81 graduated from
high school. for one thing, and I'm
keeping house for grandma. | guess
that's about ALL"
whats been going on in town?
Any dances?"
Eyes; a few | went to the Wash
ington's birthday ball. but 1T wasn't
much fun. Most of the floor commit
tee were old, married people and about
every other dance was 'Hulrs Victory
or a quadrille. Round dances. you
know. are wicked, especially if you
don't know how to dance them"
"You wrote me you went to that.
Sam Hammond's been home, hasn't
hep
"Oh, yes. went to the ball with
him. He's a lovely dancer. and we
waltzed whenever they played waltz
tune, no matter whether the rest were
busy with quadrille or not. But why
don't you tell me what you are going
to do now that you've given up your
position"
Bradley told her of Captain Titcomb's
idea concerning the purchase of the
Lizzie and the offer of partnership in
the wrecking business. AS he talked
his growing interest in the plan be-
came more evident, and he spoke of It
as something already nearly decided
upon. What do you think of it?' he
asked in conclusion.
"Why, l don't know" replied Gus.
'Tf 1t all works out as the cap'n hopes
it will be fine thing. But isn't it
rather risky? 1t means staying at
home here in Orham, where peoples
ideas get into rut, it seems to me-.
The cities seem so big and to have
such chances for man! You know
yourself, Brad, that you've improved a
lot since you went away"
II haven't got a gold watch yet or
any fine clothes, and my dancing
wouldn't draw a crowd, l guess"
Don't be silly. Sam is a good waltz
er, and he has improved in his manners
and in other ways l shouldn't want
you to settle down into nothing but d
'longshoreman. l guess I'm like, Miss
Tempy. l hoped you'd be captain of
an ocean liner some of these days"
We'll, l don't mean to cramp myself
to 'longshoreman size just because |
stay in the village. 1t looks to me like
chance-a good chance-to be my
own boss and make something of my
self. | hoped you'd see it that way
Perhaps | shall when l get more
used to it. Tell me more, please"
They had reached the little house,
and, leaning on the gate under the big
silver leaf tree, Bradley again went
over the details of the new plan. Gus
was interested and asked many ques-
tons, but to both of them the inter
view was not entirely satisfactory
The old, boy and girl, whole hearted
exchange of condolences seemed to be
lacking. To Bradley in particular as
he turned away after saying Good
night the consciousness of a differ
ence in his relation with his old time
"chum" was keen. She was interested
in him and in his hopes and plans, but
she had plans and hopes of her own.
and perhaps he was not so much the
central figure as he used to be.
Next day Bradley called ON the esp
tain. The latter had seen Caleb Bur
CESS, and the Lizzie could be bought
for a very reasonable sum. Captain
Titcomb was also preparing a long
table of figures showing the cost of
what was needed to fit her up. They
talked for over an hour, but Bradley
was not yet ready to decide. He
would take his full week, he said
But by the end of the week his mind
was made up. He was ready to take
the chance that the captain offered.
He told Gus SO, and she agreed that
perhaps he was doing right. He told
the old maids and SO knocked Miss
Tempy's air castles into smithereens
in one tremendous crash.
The partnership articles were signed.
Bradley drew his money from the saw
ings bank, and the Lizzie changed
hands. The next month was a very
busy one, for they were at work on
the schooner every day refitting and
rigging One noon of the fourth week
the captain came down to the wharf
with Boston paper in his hand.
Bradley took the paper and saw on
the page indicated the words: Wreck
on the Long Island Sand Bars. The
Schooner Thomas Doane Lost. All