The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1908-06-05

when we make port an she goes
huntin' for your grave"
That's So" agreed Brundage, de-
jectedly. I'VE got to think that over,
Bill"
Think it over yourself" retorted
the aggrieved Mr.. Prout; but don't
come any nonsense over me, for I
won't stand it."
The Arklam was nearing Chicago
when Capt. Brundage, sitting alone
in his cabin and figuring desperately
on some means of escape from the
net fate had thrown. around him,
looked up in surprise as Miss Polly
| entered and closed the door behind
her with an emphatic slam. That
done, she sat down and surveyed her
| quondam sutton with malicious eyes.
Brundage stared back with a sickly
smile, wondering inwardly what her
visit might portend. He was not
left long in doubt.
She suddenly stretched forth a slim,
white hand, and tore the black beard
from his face. Then she set her little
foot upon it and spoke with much
JUNCTION.
What an awful silly you are, Jim
Brundage, to think that you could pull
the wool over my eyes"
The captain wagged his head dis.
mally.
"All right, Polly" he said, you've
got me beat. What do you reckon
to do?"
"If I was a man." said the girl,
scornfully, I'D thrash you we'll, but I
suppose I must get satisfaction an
other way. What hurts me most
isn't your falseness, but the idea that
you considered me such q fool. I've
found out all about you, and unless
you want your wife to know every.
thing, you'll do as l say.
when you passed yourself of as a
single man you showed me your
handbook and calculated that $500
would start us nicely in housekeeping.
Now, when We reach Chicago. Jimmy
dear, you'll go straight to the bank.
draw $3.50, and hand 1t owe to me.
Then I'll say good.by and you can
thank your stars for getting off so
easily"
The unmasked conspirator swore
bitterly and protested fervently, but
Miss Polly was adamant and he finally
agreed to her terms. His disclosure
to Mr.. Prout Of the conditions upon
which he had surrendered was re.
ceived by that unfeeling seaman with
a hoarse laugh, which was distinctly
~aggravating to his commanders trou.
bled mind.
The Arklam lay at the Clark street
dock with Miss Antrim seated in the
captains cabin placidly awaiting his
return from the bank. Beside her
laughed Mr.. William Prout, smoking
the pipe Of peace. Brundage entered
with a look Of intense gloom over.
s%hadowing his countenance, and sig
nailed the mate to retire. Miss Polly
waved her hand in dissent.
"Stay where you are" she said, ge
nially. Count out the money, Jim
and hurry up"
The mate grinned broadly as his
skipper logged out the %well-known
po%cketbook, and. signing deeply, hand
ed $3.50 in United States currency to
his female Nemesis. Polly beamed
graciously upon the %uncheerful giver
"That's a good boy, Jim," she said
sweetly, 'and now we'll go ashore
happy. by the way, 1t may interest
, you to know that Mr.. Prout and
mean to set up housekeeping on the
strength of your kind gift"
The captains emotion was too deeI
for mere words to express. He rose
to his feet, still staring helplessly, a
Miss Antrim, leaning on the arm o.
the gratifed mate, tripped merrily
along the gang plank to the wharf.
Copyright. by w. G.. Chapman.)