Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-07-31

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THANK TIE LoRDl' MuRMURED CAPTAIN
EBENEZER.
stalwart form proceeding down the
path Il believe see Phoebe lummis
trustin' herself to the Saucy Liz or any
other craft on day like this. ! guess
vlctuals for two will be a-plenty this
day" She closed the door and went
within. where she busled herself over
her preparations with more trepidatiOn
than Captain Ebenezer would have be-
lieved she could display.
In the meantime the captain had
rolled UP the trim path bordered with
snowy clam shells which outlined rows
Of richly colered dahlias and gay, many
hued asters.
Terribly neat, Miss Phoebe" he
muttcred obviously as he tiptocd
across the freshly painted porch aud
rang the bell,
Miss Phoebe Lummis, small. ex-
luisitely neat In person and dellcately
neat IN form and feature, as Captain
Ebenczer mentally inyentoried her,
smiled pleasantly upon the good look.
Ing sailor man.
Come right in. captain" she said
cheerfully, throwing open the door of
her sunny parlor, where the honey
suckle vines east dancing shadows on
the walls. do sit down while take
my cookies out of the oven. I'll be
back In Il minute"
Captain Ehenezer looked around the
room approvingly. There were Il gay
I ~ figured brussels carpet. n whatnot
containing strange seashelts and curl
osities from foreign lands, great rag
ged branches of coral fanking the fire.
| place and comfortable old fashioned
| chairs. There were geraniums in the
| front windows ana canary singing
| in an adjoining room. Many Il long
winter evening had the captain played
| a drink of sweet cider had he quaffed
| 70 wash down the deiciously crisp
| cookies and light doughnuts that she
offered for his refreshment In spite
of this entertainment the captain stood
| in wholesome fear of Miss Phoebe,
who spoke what she thought in brief
terms, and 1t was the fear of getting
the right about from Miss Phoebe that
deferred the captain from uttcring the
words of affection that so often trem.
bled on his lips.
ITS a dreadful day on the water.
began Miss Phoebe when she had re-.
turned and seated herself opposite the
captain. II don't know who'd want to
be out on a day like this
I'm goin' out myself" ventured the
latter, twirling his sou'wester in his
horny hands, land | came in to say
that I'd like to have you 20 out with
me in the Saucy Liz. There's good
fresh wind. and it won't hurt you
none"
Never" returned Miss Lummls de,
cidedly. "I'd be seasick the minute
got aboard. amt no sailor Captain
EbeneZer, so you'll sail without me
this time!" She smiled pleasantly upol
the discounted sailor
| lie w VlueI DulhS Is Solil ulOIl
TO get beach plums on the island. anC
/ thought mebbe you'd be company TO
one another You amt good sailor
then. ma'am| Captain Ebenezer',
voice expressed poignant anxiety as b,
ventured this question.
mot bit like a sail on a smootl
sea, but no sou'westers for me. cap
tain. You ask me some time when |
isn't rough and I'll go with you glad
ly.'
"You wouldnt-you wouldn't-oh-
easy there!' Captain Ebenezer thrus
hand inside the collar Of his flame
shirt and jerked 1t fretfully. Wit
sudden evaporation he jumped to hi
feet and extended one hand pleadingly
"You wouldn't marry ne. Miss Phoe
be. would your be shouted desperate
~.
Miss Phoebe's tinklirg laugh die
away as pink flush rose to her del
cate cheeks. ~ might If you aske
me. captain" she said demurely.
II thought mebbe you wouldn't wan
to leave this pretty house Of yours
Phoebe" said the captain tenderly a
later he occupied place on the sof
beside his 6ancee.
II figured began Miss Phoeb
drcamily, and then she stopped. with
sudden shocked expression In her mil
eyes-'I mean," she went on hastil!
Il should think We could move thi
house right down the bluff; and faste
1t on to your cabin. you know"
"Surest way. my hearty" sang Cal
tain Ebenezer blithely. And now
You better be going along. captain.
Interrupted Miss Phoebe briskly. 9
see the wilder going down the roat
and you don't want to keep her wal
ing"
Captain Ebenezer stared. aghast. II
had forgotten the Widow Banks an
the proposed trip to Bar island.
I'm an engaged man now, Phoebe