The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1908-07-11

you is scandalous, showing you around
like it. | don't see how you can
stand it. l don't believe really brave
man would put up with such con-
duct"
The mate flushed.
Il amt afraid of him." he asserted,
doggedly.
Well, you act like it," rejoined the
girl. crisply.
See here" said Brennan, 'if / show
you before the trips over that
amt afraid of him, may l come and
see you when were ashore?"
DO that" said Miss Bardell. de-
cisively, "and-and you can come to
see me as often as you like
Her hand rested for moment in
the mates broad palm and he ven
tured to squeeze it gently. The
pressure was timidly returned.
AS the Uncas neared Chicago her
commander excelled all his previous
efforts in the terrific role of fresh
water martinez. The cabin-boy
crouched like frightened hare at his
approach and the deckhands fled be-
fore him like leaves in the path Of
hurricane. The dinner failing to
meet with his approval, he summoned
the trembling cook to his presence
and berated him with extraordinary
vigor, ending the harangue with an
order to the mate to convey the
culprit to the hold and have him
fogged. Mr.. Brennan, standing at at
tention, suffered his features to relax
into a sardonic grin.
"Aw, cut that out" he said with
insolent emphasis, land don't be
maxim a monkey of yourself
The captain answered what he sup
posed to be his cue, by producing his
revolver and presenting the shining
barrel at the mates head.
"Mutiny, by heavens!" he roared,
while the widow shrieked aloud and
her daughter gasped. Another word,
you hound, and I'll blow your brains
out.'
The mate took step forward and
loud report rang out. His next move
erred grievously from the schedule
arranged, for before the smoke faded
away a heavy fist collided violently
with the captains jaw and he dropped
with a resounding crash. Brennan
picked up the gun where it had fallen,
and thrusting the weapon into his
pocket assisted the fallen martinez to
his feet.
You amt fit to be trusted with fire.
arms" he said. curtly. Open your
h., = o,,l Itro r,fv
your shoulders"
Boggs stared stupidity at the traitor
Gus destroyer OF his hopes and then
turned to the women, who were gazing
upon the heroic mate with intense ad-
mration.
1T was all joke Maggie" he said,
appealingly, but Miss Bardell tilted
her nose at a scornful angle and
walked away, holding her mothers
arm.
Look here" said the infuriated one
to the grinning mate. What kind of
a game dye call this? Wot does it
mean"
It's all joke, as you said just
now" explained Mr.. Brennan. blandly.
Cant other folks have little fun
as well as you?'
wait till we're ashore" stormed
the incensed captain. III show you
what it means to assault your superior
officer, my lad."
"Oh, all right" responded the mate,
lightly. 'P'raps you think the law al
lows you to pull gun on man for
nothin. And remember, I've got wit
nesses that you tried to shoot me-
He turned and made his way to the
cabin. where Mrs. Bardell and her
daughter sat discussing his act of
yalor.
When the Uncas' two passengers
disembarked at the Wells street
bridge Capt. Boggs stood watching
them gloomily, a prey to the contend
ing emotions of humiliation and rage.
Between the widow and her daughter
strobe the tall, erect figure of the de-
ceitful mate, his visage wreathed with
an expansive smile.
Copyright by w. G. Chapman)