Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-27
MIR. PR RAFT.
A NOVEL.
By JOSEPH C. LINCOLN,
Author OF "Cap'n Err" partners of the Tide
A.
By Joseph c.. LINCOLN.
know. being Martins closest friend, and

know. being Martins closest friend, and
told me the rest.
at seemed that Hartley senior was
heavily involved when he died. He had
speculated and his affairs were in hOr-
rible shape. Martin didn't know of this
until the old gentleman. on his death
bed, sprung it on him. So then the plucky
chap started in to save the name. He ar
ranged with the creditors-this man who
told me the story was one of tnem-for
time, and set to work. He worked nights
and days and i'm his sleep. l guess. He
had promised his dad. for his mothers
sake. not to tell soul. and he didn't
Every creditor was pledged to secrecy
Even his own mother didn't know 1t to
the day of her DEATH But he paid dollar
for dollar and broke down when ii was
over. That's why he was willing to join
with me in this hunt of ours after the
natural life. Agnes cutting him made
him reckless. l suppose. And when he
was on his feet again financially, he lost
interest in the whole game
and now that he's we'll and husky"
1 says. her mistake about his doings
with the old man Sparrow set him going
at it again. l suppose his digging in the
hardest and keeping it quiet on account
him money grabber / might have
known twas something like that
so might T. he says. eff I wasn't such
careless. happy go-lucky idiot. You
see. | always thought that the merce-
nary business was only cloak for the
real reason of their breaking off. She
only took up with me because our people
wanted her to. I've been sure of that
fer a good while. But why Martin didn't
come to me when he was in trouble. in
stead of going 1t alone like bull-headed
chump. isl
He stopped and went to thinking. ]
looked at him. and l guess there was a
question in my face, for he answered it
without my saying word.
Certainly I shall tell her. says he.
when is the next train to Eastwich?"
He went to the school that afternoon,
and stayed at the Bay View House over
there that night. Next day. afore L left
the island. Hartley comes rowing over
with Seudder. He was feeling clipper
as could be. and. except for the arm in a
sling, you wouldn't have known there
was anything the matter with him.
About eleven or so that forenoon Eu-
reka comes running out to the henyard
where 1 was. Her face was on the broad
grin.
They're coming,2 says She THE whole
of 'em!'
"Who?"
why Miss. Agnes and Miss Talford.
Nate Scudder is rowing 'em and Mr.. Van
Brunt is along, too"
And so they was. I could see the dory
half way across already.
"Hooray!" l sings out. Lets tell
Hartley"
Don't you dare tell him. she orders
Hes in the house. You let him stay
there. It's your job to meet that boat
and keep the rest of 'em out of the way
| was at the beach when the dory
landed. Miss Talford and Van got out
first. Then comes Agnes Page. She
stepped up to me and held out her hand.
Good morning. Mr.. Pratt she says.
Il m very glad to see YOU
Same here. ma am, I'm sure says 1.
'How's Redny?'
who? Dennis? Oh, he's almost we'll.
We left James in charge of the children.
Are you all we'll here? Is"
"Yes, ma'am. He's doing frst-rate
You'll find him in the dining ROOM
She Redeemed up like a climbing rose
bush in June. but she left me and headed
for the house. The minute she stepped
her foot on the porch. that wise crtter
Eureka lodged out of the kitchen door.
She knew her business that girl did. and
whether 1t had come to her by instinct
or from Home Comforter reading don
make an atom of difference.
About twenty minutes after that / hap.
pened to have an errand in the kitchen.
l made dickens of racket on purpose
when [ went in, but twas good work
wasted Hartley and the Page girl was
standing by the parlor window looking
out. and didn't appear to hear a sound.
They'd left the doors open and / could
see EN-. Martin hadn't only one whole
arm. but he seemed to know what to do
with that
Ito be concluded tomorrow