The Democratic advocate., 1908-01-24

LITTLE SAILOR
BY OWEN OLIVER

N OLIVER j.!
She laughed painfully; and the man
frowned.
"You don't propose to go with him, I
hope? p he asked
''No. No, [ shall tell him
that | will wait for him till he-pulls
round.'
The man nodded.
Il should put period to the waiting"
he counselled. ''Some men take long
time to pull round you know. At least
| do.
The girl shook her head.
eff had been different, perhaps he
wouldn't have had to pull round +
you must think very badly Of me"
''No," said the man quietly.
81 didn't mean any harm," she ex-
planned. ~ am-fo foolish. :"
''Yes. That is why I venture to give
you advice; out of my lesser folly. You
should fix time within which he must
show that he is really pulling round.
Some men never do; and you won't want to
wait forever. Hold tight.
Here's a big one.
A huge wave broke over the bow, and
deluge of water came upon them. The
girl gave cry and clutched at the man.
'It's all right he said. "Take the
baler, and skim it up-so. Then empty
it overheard. 1t isn't much; but if we
keep on neglecting it we shall fill up.
Some boats get swamped like that; and
some men. They ship little from every
sea. You understanG?'
eyes; but it would be my fault. |
hirted rather-atrociously. There's no
excuse for me-
"You're only child. Unlock the
cabin and get out the waterproof coat and
put it on. It's lying on the end of that
cushion. See?'
She got out the coat, locked the cabin
again, and returned the key.
''But you viii. want it YOURSELF" she OBJ
jected
"Pll have the sweater He pulled
it out from locker at the stern. "Put
the coat on. Now you look
like sailor. Hold the tiller while I
struggle into the sweater. Thank you.
Sit closer to the cabin. 1t will keep some
of the wet off you. Here's a
good one p The girl wiped the spray
from her eyes, and set to work bailing un-
asked. "You'll make a good sailor. "
GA good captain makes good sailors"
she answered, with sudden warmth of
admiration.
"That's the way through life," he told
her gravely, $50 don't sign on hastily with
bad one
"But if you've signed on? He
thought l had; and-and I can't desert
him when he's-when he's made mis-
take in his navigation
"And run the ship aground No. 1
suppose you can't. But l suspect that l
should be doing you kindness if turned
our boats head the other way
He set his mouth and looked round as
if he would carry out his suggestion; but
the girl touched his arm.
"You wouldn' turn me from my duty?'
she entreated; and he looked hard at her.
'If it is your duty he said, II have
no right to turn you from it. But are you
sure? Quite sure p
"Quite sure. We are practically en-
gagged, and-don't make me tell you any
more about it. I don't like you to think
badly of me-
II don't" He lit his pipe again, in
the shelter of his hands. They were
strong, brown hands, and the girl felt safe
in them One of them held her shoulder
when two big waves came in rapid success
ion. The second showered upon her as
she was leaning down to bale out the first
He baled, too, that time.
cit is rougher," she said, with a
shiver.
cit will be rougher now that we have
passed the point. 1t won't hurt if it gets
no worse; but don't know what is blow
ing up He nodded to windward at
mountain of black clouds that seemed to
tumble over one another into the sea.
The foamy sea-horses were whittier against
the blackness behind them. The darkness
seemed to grow in the air around. There
was sudden quiet in the rushing waves
that was more threatening than the storm.
'There is life belt on the shelf at the
far end of the cabin, he said very quietly.
sect it and put it on
els the gale coming?''
eyes. Get the belt quickly
She brought out the belt, but her
fingers trembled at the fastenings. He
leaned against the tiller to free his hands
and put it round her, still smoking his
pipe quietly; but she pulled herself away
"You must put it on, she said
"The risk is mine, not yours. No, no!
| won have it. 1t ism fair
"Nonsenser' he answered. 'sCome
here and be tied up. If you don't shall
leave the tiller and come and do it; and
then IRE both done for, if we're struck
by the squall. Come here, you foolish
child.
elbow good you are to me T. she cried,
as he tied up the belt. ''How good you
are =
Nonsense !" he said again. 81 can
swim like fish. I should take an oar if
we went over, and we should drive ashore
together--with luck-and walk home like
pair of half-drowned rats; and you d
miss the mail boat. Upon my word
think it would be a lucky thing for you if
we upset. :. There! Don't try
to disobey your captain again.
The girl laughed unsteadily and wiped
her eyes.