Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1908-06-04

Ss-AAAa44a--44xhslg IF twas me-" he COM
mented, I'D be glad to help out a
pal, even if didn't get cent. That's
the kind of man l am"
An that's the kind I amt" re-
Joined the mate tartly. 80 mebba
you'll stow this here moralisin' bust
ness an hand over the coin, so as
everything II be accordin' to agree
ment."
The skipper of the steamer Arklam
muttered something uncomplmentary
under his breath, but producing a
bulky pocketboOk extracted several
bills therefrom and passed them to
the mate, who thrust them into his
pocket and faced his superior with a
satisfied smirk
Now that's settled, let's run over
your scheme again, so as l can get
my right bearin's," he said pleas
antly.
when we get to Buffalo you fix
yourself up with a phony beard an
wig, an if Miss Antrim comes askin
for you I'm to tell her Capt. Brundage
died VERY sudden in Chicago, an
there's a new skipper in charge"
Don't forget as I'm supposed to
be deaf and dumb" warned the cap
tain. IF she once heard my voice it
'ud queer the whole game"
ooh, aw right" responded the mate
"Only she must be a bigger fat-head
than she looks If she swallows that
Who'd ever believe as a company 'ud
hire a deaf dummy for captain of a
big steam freighter?"
She's got to believe it," returned
the captain. Anyway, if she sees
me at all, it'll be only for few min
utes, and the news of my death i'll
upset her so that she won't stop to
figure out them little details"
1T wouldn't upset me-" retorted the
mate. Seems like she oughter be
joyful to hear it, if she's got any
sense"
"That'll be all from you" growled
Brundage in high dudgeon. Just hold
your jaw and do as you're told"
Shortly after the Arklam tied up at
the Buffalo docks she was boarded
by buxom young damsel with a de-
termined chin and a pair of snappy
black eyes. The watchful mate
greeted her at the gang plank, and
she acknowledged the salutation with
gracious smile.
Good morning, Mr.. PrOut," she
said. rs Capt. Brundage around?"
The mate twisted his features into
a becoming semblance of grief.
I'm sorry to say that I've got bad
news for you, Miss Antrim" was the
response He hesitated and shook his
head sadly.
What's the trouble?" inquired the
girl, her face a shade paler at the
sight of the mates dolorous visage
rs he sick?"
Worse than that, miss" returned
the mate in a hoarse whisper. He
VERY bad-that is, / mean he ain
now. He's gone, miss, gone for
ever"
The girl drew sharp breath
What" she gasped, you don't meal
to say"
That he's dead, miss; yes, that
it, an sorry l am to tell you"
Miss Antrim dabbed a handkerchie
hastily across her eyes. How di
it happen?" she asked. "Why, he
he was all right when he left here o.
his last voyage"
Step into the cabin" requested tn
willy Mr.. Prout, an I'll tell you a
about it,"
The girl followed him, and seatin
herself, prepared to listen to tn
mates doleful narrative.
In accordance with the instruction
of his chief, Mr.. William Prout CAV
very affecting sketch of the inc
dents relative to the formers su,
den demise, due. as he declared,
& chill followed by an attack of pne
monia which had carried OF the vi
tim in record time.
Miss Polly Antrim listened with 8
odd gieam in her intelligent eyes.
Wasn't there-that is-didn't
leave message or anything of tn
kind for me?' she demanded, whf
the mate had finished his melancho
recital.
"oh, yes" replied Mr. Prout hu
love, an'-an hoped you'd meet hi
in heaven" he concluded in bur
OF inspiration.
Polly Antrim glanced at the ma
with tightened lips. Very nice
him,' she commented coolly "Wl
did you say took his placer"