The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-10-20

and that ones got to be me. You're
too big to hide in any bundle, or I'd
shoulder you, like a sack of Eaters!
Just how to smuggle you across IN
any other way, l can't think"
"Who is this Skipper Joe?" asked
Jacqueline, "can I not bride him with
money!"
Mrs. Bumpus snorted.
Don't you try, MISSILES a born
villain! Watchhaven folks hate him
as they do a dogfsh. He lived here
once, and he used to steal the fish or
the other mems fakes, and one day,
when all hands were out, with the
fleet, he went down to Little Tongue
Island, and into the one store there,
and knocked down the woman who
was tending, and looted everything
of value-carried off the stuff in his
cat-boat. Afore the men got back
Joe was safe inside the Canada line.
There he stayed for a good spell.
Folks think he met Mr.. Trevor in
Canada, as they beth came together
to Deadman's."
BIRDS of a feather" murmured
Jacqueline.
She sought to draw from her COM
panions further information regard
ing the island and its owner, but both
Vicky and Mrs. Bumpus answered
warily-plainly they were on their
guard and not disposed to make dis
closures. At last Jacqueline arose
with a wan smile.
II I'm very tired" she said. Il
will now go to bed, and perhaps I
NAV dream Of a way out of my diff
culties."
Vicky bore the lamp to Mrs. Bum
pus' best bedroom and Jacqueline fol-
lowed.
Say, you're awful pretty, Miss
Hatton," remarked the girl careless
ly. II liked you the minute I saw
you Citing out of the stage. Don't
you lay awake, fretting. Jim Bumpus
will be home at turn of tide. I'll talk
with him. Goodnight
She closed the door and left JAG
Queline to her m~editations.
Before she fell asleep our heroine
was convinced that the expected Jim
had arrived, for she, heard heavy foot
steps outside her window, and a deep,
drawing voice, answering some fem
mime query from the interior of the
inn. After that J%acqueline knew no
more till the sun was well up, and
Vicky raped sharply on her door.
breakfast, Miss Hatton!" shouted
the girl, and Jacqueline and
dressed with speed. Fragrant coffee,
with new laid eggs and a mackerel
fresh from the brine, made up the
morning meal. Vic served in silence.
AS Jacqueline arose from the table
the girl vanished, only to reappear a
moment later, pushing before her a
raw-boned young fellow in a flannel
shirt and canvas packet, his patched
trousers tucked into a pair OF enorm-
GUS seaboots and an old sou'wester
twisted in his bashful hands.
Here's JIM" announced Vicky,
then with chin in air she faced her
lover. IF this young lady wants to
see Mr.. Trevor, why carn't she see
him, Jim?" she demanded, land If
we a land her on the island, who's
to put her off? You jest get your
boat ready sha'n't wait till noon
for Skipper Joe-and you'll have to
stow Miss Hatton somewhere with
me. Hustle, now! we must steal a
march on Joseph! I'll tell Mr.. Ire
vor that the fellow has made love to
me so much of late I've no stomach
to go sailing with him any more"
Then Jacqueline saw that the girl
had been secretly plotting for the &C
complishment of her wishes, and she
beamed on her gratefully.
How kind of you!" she said.
How can I thank you?"
p Don't you mind about that" an
swered Vic, motioning her lover to-
ward the door. He looked %sheepish-
ly back at J%acqueline and stammered:
She's boss-Vic is! Well have to
take the old boat-t'other e are
all out. She'll leak"
Never mind" cried Vic, with en-
ergy, I'VE can't wait for you to calk
her. Seas calm. I'll bail. Hurry
up, now! We must be off. Miss Hat
ton, jest put on your things, and I'll
help Jim launch the boat"
JacQueline obeyed. BY the time
she had settled her bill and made her
adieux with Mrs. Bumps, Vic and
her lover were waiting on the pier
at the end of the street. They had
found a pair of oars and a grimy
leg-o'-mutton sail. Jacqueline took
the seat assigned her and the little
craft moved out into the vast Allan
tic.
To be Continued.