Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-06-04

MllM the rs bucks you prom
NEIlM Used. Partikerly for the
MXkM rs bucks"
MlNlM The captain eyed him
M disdainfully.
esMaS "If twas me-" he com
mented, I'D be glad to help out a
pal, even if l didn't get a cent. That's
the kind of man l am" .
"An' that's the kind / amt" re-
joined the mate tartly. $50 mebbe
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 uncomplimentary
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 | ear 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 ONE 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"
"Oh, 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 a few min
utes, and the Jews Of my death ill
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
"Thatll 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 a 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
a 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. 81
Whats the ~troubte?" inquired the
girl, her face a shade paler at the
sight of the mates dolorous visage.
us he sick?"
Worse than that, MISS" returned
the mate in a hoarse whisper. He's
very bad-that is, / NEAR he amt
now. He's gone, miss, gone for
ever" h
The girl drew a sharp breath.
WHAT she gasped, you don't mean
to say"
"That he's dead, miss; yes, that's
it, an sorry l am to tell you"
Miss Antrim dabbed a handkerchief
hastily across her eyes. How did
it happen?" she asked. why, he
he was all right when he left here on
his last voyage"
"Step into the cabin requested the
willy Mr.. Prout, IAN I'll tell you all
about It,"
The girl followed him, and seating
herself, prepared to listen to the
mates doleful narrative.
IN accordance with the Instructions
of his chief, Mr.. William Prout gave
a very affecting sketch of the Incl
dents relative to the formers sud.
den demise, due, as he declared, to
a chill followed by an attack Of pneu-
monia which had carried off the vic
tim in record time.
Miss Polly Antrim listened with an
odd CLEAN in her intelligent eyes.
Wasn't there-that is--didn't he
leave a message or anything Of that
kind for me?" she demanded, when
the mate had finished his melancholy
recital.
ooh, yes" replied Mr.. Prout hur-
riedly. 1.-THE poor chap sent you his
love, an'-an' hoped you'd meet him
In heaven he concluded in a burst
Of inspiration.
Polly Antrim glanced at the mate
with frightened lips. Very nice Of
him." she commented coolly. Who
did you say took his place?"
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