The Washington times., 1907-08-11

4AdL y M4AFlE sam AANE1f DeAAA AAAa
friend. pointedly-
Yes" said the boy, noddlng, "all
Of you live there, don't your"
IL was an innocent enough remark in
all conscience. but there was that In
Master Jones eye which caused Mr..
LegEe to move away hastily and
glance at him in some disquietude
from the other side Of the deck The
boy. unconscious OF the interest ex-
cited by his movements. walked rest
lessly up anj down.
Boys worried" said the skipper,
aside, % the mate cheer up. sonny
Bill looked up and smiled. and the
cloud which had sat on his brow
when he thought OF the cold-blo0ded
desertion Of Mr.. Brown gave way 20
an expression Of serene comfort.
"WeH what's he going 20 dor In
quired the mate. In a low voice.
"rhat needn't worry US" said the
skipper. "Let things take their
course; that's my motto"
lie took the wheel from Harry: the
little town came closer; the houses
separated and disclosed roads. and the
boy discovered 10 his disappointment
that the church stood on ground Of its
. own. and not on the roof Of a large
red house as he had supposed. He ran
forward rs they got closer, and, perch
ing up in the bows until they were
fast 20 tile quay, looked round search
ingly for any sings OF sam
The skipper locked up the cabin.
and then called on one OF the short
hands 20 Keep an eye on the fOrpcastIe,
H~Nt N.- g
snail passenger. Harry. Charlie. and
The cook stepped ashore. The skipper
and mate followed. and the latter.
looking back from some distance,
called HE attention 20 the desolate lit
lie hsure sitting on the hatch.
Il s'pose hen be all right" said the
skipper, uneasily;' there's food and a
bed do%n the fo'c's'le. You might tust
look round tonight and see he's safe
l expect well have 70 take MIN back
10 London with US"
They turned up a small road IN the
direction Of home and walked on in
silence until the mate. Rlancing he
hind al an acquaintance who had Just
passed. uttered sharp exclamation.
The skipper turned. and a small figure
which had just shot round the corner
stopped in mid-career and eyed them
wurily. The men exchanged uneasy
glances.
Father cried a small voice.
He-he's adopted YOU now" said
the skipper, huskiIy-
Or you, said the mate. 7 never
took much notice Of him"
he looked round again. Master
Zones was following briskIy. about ten
yards in the rear. and twenty Yards
behind him came the crew. who bav-
ing seen him quit the shin. had fol-
lowed with the evident intention ~
being In al The death.
Father. cried the boy again. wait
for me-
One or two passers-by stared IN
astonishment and the mate began 10
5e uneasy as 10 the company ne was
keeping
Let's separate" he erowIed. and
see who he's calling after"
1he Skipper caught him by the arm.
Shout out 10 him TO 20 back" he
cried.
It's YOU he's after. tell you" said
the mate Who do you want Birlv7,,
i want my father cried the vo,,tr
and. 70 prevent any mistake indf-
Gated the raging skipper with his
finger.
Who do YOU want2- beloved -ba
latter n a frightful voice.
Want YOU. father" chirrurre5
Master Jones.
Wrath and dismay struggled for
supremacy in the shippers face. and
ne paused 10 decide whether Il would
be better 70 wipe Master Jones or the
face Of the earth or 10 pursue his
way IN all the strength Of conscious
innocence. He chose the latter course
and. shade more erect than usuaI
walked on until he came in sight Of
his house and his wife. Who was
standing at the door.
You come along O. me Jem. and
explain" he whispered 10 the mate
Then he turned about and hailed the
crew The crew, hattere1 at being
offered front seats in the AFFAIR. came
forward eagerly.
What's the matter?'' inquired Mrs
Hunt. eyesng the crowd in amaze
ment as II grouped itself IN anticipa-
tion.
Nothing" said her husband. or
hardedly.
Who's that bOy2'' cried the inno-
cent woman.
ITS a poor little mad boyI" began
the skipper; he came aboard"
I'm not mad. father" interrupted
Master Jones
A poor little mad boy" continued
the skipper, hastily. who came aboard
In London and said poor old Sam
Brown was his father"
''No-you, father" cried the boy.
shrIlIy.
He calls everybody his father, -
said the skipper, with q smile Of an
guish: that's the form his madness
takes. He called Jem here his faith
er."
mo. he didn't" said the mate.
bluntly.
And then he thought Charlie was
his father"
NO sir" said Mr.. Legge. with re-
spectful firmness-
Well, he said Sam Brown was. -
said the skipper
Yes. that's right, sir" said the
crew.
where is Sam?7 inquired Mrs.
Hunt. looking round expectant1y.
He deserted the ship at Wither-
sea said her husband.
Il see" said Mrs. Hunt. with a Bit
ter smile s'and these mon have all