Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1908-06-10
The Captain Of the
Northern Light
Copyright. by Joseph B. BowIes)
By LLOYD OSBOURNE

Where's Madge?" said Gregory.
Mrs. Horble's ashore" said the cap-
tain.
IN afraid l can never call her any
thing but Madge." said Gregory. de-
tecting the covert reproach in the
others voice.
Horrible was plainly Ill at ease. His
race turned deeper red He was
on the edge Of hurting out a dis
agreeable remark, and then hesitated.
making an inarticulate sound in his
throat. Like everybody else, he was
afraid OF the labor captain.
Crews ashore. too" said Gregory.
glancing about the empty deck.
There amt no crew. muttered
Horrible.
Thunder" cried Gregory. do
you do it with electricity. or WHAT"
ME and Madge runs her." returned
Horrible.
do you mean to say she pully-
hauls your damn ropes?" exclaimed
Gregory.
Yes said Horrible. What's 20
tons between the two of us?'
And cooks?" said Gregory.
And cooks" said Horrible.
Il know she can sail a boat against
anybody" said Gregory, wincing at
the remark
Horrible spat in the water and said
nothing. His fat, broad back said
palmer than words: You're an in.
truder! Get OUT"
Il believe she's aboard this very
minute" said Gregory, with a strange
smile.
She's ashore. I tell YOU" said Hor-
BILE, sullenIy.
I'll just run below and make sure"
said Gregory.
He slipped down the little compau-
ion way. looked about the empty cabin
and peered into the semi-darkness of
the only stateroom.
"Madgei' he cried. "Madge."
Horrible had not lied to him. There
was not a soul below But on the
cabin table he saw Madge's sowing
machine and a half-made dress of cot
ton print. She had always been fond
of books. and there, I'm the corner. was
her little bookcase. taken bodily from
her old home in Nonootch. Scattered
about here and there were other things
that brought her memory painfully
back to him; that hurt him with their
familiarity; that caused him to lift
them up and hold them with sort Of
despairing wonder: her guitar. her
worn, lockfast desk the old gilt pho.
tograph album he remembered so
well He sat down at the table and
buried his face in his hands. What
d fool he had been! What a fool he
had been!
He was reused by the sound Of Hor.
bles footsteps down the ladder. with
his head leaning on his hand. he
looked at the big naked feet feeling
for the steps. then az the uncouth
clothes as they gradually appeared
then at the fat, weak, frightened face
OF the man himself He grew sick
at the sight of him Would Horrible
strike him? Would Horrible have the
grit TO order him of the ship? No;
the Internal coward was getting out
the gina bottle OF square-face and
two glasses.
Say when" said Horrible.
When" said Gregory
Horrible tipped the bottle into his
own glass. A second mates grogl
One could see what the fellow drank.
Here's luck" said Gregory.
Drink hearty" said Horrible.
Joe Horrible" said Gregory. lean
ing both elbows on the table, there's
something you ought to know; love
Madge, and Madge loves me-"
Horrible gasped.
She's minel" said Gregory.
Horrible helped himself to more gin,
and then slowly wiped his mouth with
the back Of his hand
You're forgettios she's my wife,"
he said.
"gn give you a thousand pounds