The Washington times., 1908-12-14
"A WOMAN TO WIN"


were off upon the last leg o. their long
journey
BY this time. too, Jim had grown
thoroughly accustomed 10 the life
afoat, and competent to perform any
OF the duties about the slOop
The captain and he had had no fur
ther ructions, for Jim took care TO
avoid crossing the old fellow during his
cranky season.
He could not help observing, however.
that from time to time the skipper re-
garded him with dark Gistrust and
animosity, always locking himself in
side the cabin when he went OF watch.
And. although at first this caprice oc-
CURED only during the full OF the moon,
il became much more frequent as they
approached their destination.
The captains talk was now no longer
OF the places he had visited, and fun
OF old sea yarns, as Il had been In the
earlier days Of the voyage His one
topic was the treasure they were TO
get and Of how long II would be be-
fore they might reach the island
While he was at the wheel. he would
pat the side Of the sloop, and urge her
to hurry. hurry; when he was off watch
he was always down in the cabin, por-
ing over his tattered charts and rec
crds often Jim would sec the light OF
his lantern shining through the closed
door throughout the livelong night.
At last, one day at noon, he an
nounced after making an observation.
that the next day would see them at
their goal.
Not if this calm holds" demurred
Jim, for there was not breath Of wind
10 lift the idle sail, and the slOop merely
drifted on a lazy, oily sea.
Gosh, 1 am fairly stifing." and the
young fellow threw wide his collar,
and mopred the peTspiration from his
dripping face.
The captain surveyed him with an
almost sinister sneer.
You'll be cool enough before night"
he muttered, land you'll have no cause
to kick on the wind. either. It's coming
on TO blow. Look at the mercury In
that glass
True enough. the barometer regis
tered a steady drop since that morning
and to the weatherwise other signs
were not wanting
shown sulelnly from dull. copper-col-
ored sky; the heat became every mo-
ment more unbearable.
There was a brOding hush over the
waters, an eery uneasiness in the air
which seemed to communicate :tself to
the captains temper.
He walked the deck with restless. i'm
patient strides. more and more sharp
and peremptory became his orders. he
scOwled with UnConcealed resentmen.
every time his eye chanced 70 fan upon
his companion.
1t was the fun OF the moon, Jim re-
membered. and. making an excuse to
go below, he dlscreetly hid everything
in the shape OF a weapon which the
boat afforded The table cutlery he tied
| in bundle and thrust within the bosom
Of his blouse.
he had scant time for II. though
since the captain quickly recalled hin,
| 10 the deck with a wrathfuI snarl and
somewhat susniciously demanded 10
know what he had been doing so long
below. WIS
III not have YOU snea1ing down 10
taAe peek AT those charts Of mine o,
ne clustered; and II you know wbat,s
gooo Tor you, you won't try IT,"
Inc moments dragged BY. Deeper and
more weird became the strange duD
/ H6At on sky and sea The sun vyaa
now totally oOscUred and at last -6a
heaVy stor1n-clouds. forked with ierre6
rs tIIllis 3, g, Tol.ed up from the east
deck, and a sudden gust heeied the
nttle vessel over until her Runvva IL
dipped. -'-i" e''e
Hadn't We better shorten sauq'' sup-
gested Jim nervousIy
No roared the caDtaIn 49,.
you lay a finger to q reef"
eye. 80 4i4'
m skipper Of this craft bs rava5 .
and know what l am about 7 ssti
tonight with every stitch set, and he
lore morning we either reach the Island
or perditionH' 49,
The Confirmation of This story VIII
he Found in Tomorrow.
Issue of This Paper.