The San Francisco call., 1909-02-21

peINSine lliS Illuminating anecUOtes
eight bells sounded, and, from the COM
motion overhead, the watch changed
A little later the companion way door
slammed open and shut, and Captain
Stryker-or Stranger; whichever you
piease-feM down. rather than descend
ed the steps.
Without attention TO the American he
rolled into the mates room and reused
that parsonage. Kirkwood heard that
the name of the second IN command
was Obbs, as well as that he occupied
the starboard stateroom aft After
brief exchange Of comment and fnstruc-
ton. Mr.. 'Obbs appeared in the shape
Of walking pillar of oil skins capped
by sou'wester, and went on deck;
Stryker. following him out Of the state
room, shed his own oilers in clammy
hesp upon the floor, opened locker
frOsn which he brought forth. a bottle
and dirty glass. and, turning toward
the table. for the FIRST time became
sensible OF Kirkwood's presence.
"Ow. there you are. eigh, little bright
eyes" he exclaimed with surprised an
imation.
Good morning. Captain Stryker,"
said Kirkwood. rising I want to tell
you"
But Stryker waved one great red
paw impatiently. with the effect of
sweeping aside and casting into the
discard Kirkwood's intended speech Of
thanks; nor would he hear him further.
Did you ave q nice little nap?' he
interrupted Come Up bright and smil-
in. eigh? Now I guess''-the emphasis
made ii clear that the captain
believed himself TO be employing an
Americanism; and so successful was
he in his own esteem that he could
not resist the temptation 10 improve
upon the imitation-'Na-ow I guess
oh --T-
10 hev drink. sonny?"
No. thank you. said Kirkwood,
smiling tolerantly. I've got any
amount of appetite. :"
Ave you. nowg' Stryker dropped
his mimicry and glanced at the clock
Breakfast" he announced, will be
served in the nyne dinin' saloon at
eyght a m. Passengers is requested
not TO be lyte at tybIe."
Depositing the bottle on the said
table the captain searched until he
found another glass for Kirkwood, and
sat down.
DO you good" he insinuated, push
ing the bottle gently over
No, thank you" reiterated Kirk
wood shortly, a little annoyed
Stryker seized his own glass, poured
out strong mans dose Of the herv
concoction- gulped It down, and sighed.
Ihens with glance at the Americans
was contemplating g four hour wait
for breakfast. and, consequently. look
ing as II he had lost his last friend),
the captain bent over, placing both
hands palm down before him and wag-
ging his head earnestly.
Please" he implored, please don't
let me hinterrupt"; and filed his pipe.
pretending pensive detachment from
his company
The fumes OF burning shag sharp
ened the tooth OF desire. Kirkwood
stood IL as long as he could, then sur
rendered with an: IF you've got anv
more Of that tobacco, captain, I'd be
glad OF g pipe"
An intensely contemplative express
sion crept into the captains small blue
eyes.
I only got one other pyper OF this
ere baccy," he announced at length.
and I carn't get no more till I gets
ONE I simply couldn't part with II
hunder 'arf a quid.'
Kirkwood settled back with hope
less lift OF his shoulders. Abstractedly
Stryker puffed the smoke his way until
longer
had about ten shillings in my
pocket when I came aboard, captain.
ana a few other articles"
Ow, yes; so you 'ad. now you men
Stryker rose, ambIed into his room.
and returned with Kirlxwood's nossee9
sions and a fresh paper of shag. while
the young man was hastily filing,
lgnUng, and inhaling the first strang-
Hng but delectable Whit, the captain
solemnly counted into his own naIn,
All the loose change except three large
pennies. The latter he showed over to
hIrkWood in company with mis-
cellaneous assortment Of articles which
tne American picked up piece bv
piece and began TO bestow them
ABOUT his clothing. When through. he
sat back, troubled and disguised.
Stryker met his regard blandly.
anything I can do2" he inquired. In
Why there was a black
pearl scarfpin"-
J, don't you remember? You gave
that 20 me. count OF me 'avin' syved
yer life. Twas me throwed you that
line. you know"
"Oh," commented Kirkwood briefly
The pin had been among the most
valuable and cherished of his belong
ings.
Yes" nodded the captafn rem,n,s-
Gently You don't remember Likely
twas the brandy singing in yer cad.
You pushes ii into my 'ands-almost
Neepln, you was-and sez, sez Won.
Stryker, you sez, 'tyke this in trffin'
toklng Of my gratichood; 1 wouldn't
hinsult you you sez, by hofferin' you
money, but this can insist on yer
acceptin, and no refusal says YOU"
oh, repeated Rirkwood.
II 1 for an instant thought Won
wasn't sober when you done il
But no; you're q gent If there ever was
one. and Pm not the man to offend
YOU"
-Oh. indeed"
The captain let the implication pass.
perhaps on the consideration that he
could afford TO ignore it. and said no
more. The pause held for several min
utes. kirkwood having fallen into a
mood Of grave distraction Finally
Captain Stryker thoughtfully measured
out second drink limited only bv the
capacity Of the tumbler, engulfed n
nolsily. and got up.
Guess I'll be turnin' in" he yolun
teered af1ably. yawning and stretching.
was about to ask you to do me q
service began Kirlzwood.
'Yes?"-with the rising infection OF
mockery.
Kirkwood quietly produced his cigar
case, gold match box, gold card case
and slipped a signet ring from his
finger. VIII you buy these?" he asked.