New-York tribune., 1909-07-11
NO. L
MATED
By W. W. Jacobs.

for5-5rht by FarheIEer johnson Bacheler Copyright
by The FFsderlck A. Stokes Company
The schooner Falcon was ready for sea- The last
bale Of general cargo had Just been shipped, and
8 few hairy, unke1npt seanen were busy putting on
the matches under the able profanity Of the mate.
-Au clear?'' inquired the master, q short, ruddy-
faced Of about thirty-hYe- Cast of there!'
-.Aiut you going TO wait for the passengers,
then?" inquired the mate.
No. no." replied the skipper, whose features
working with excitement They won't come now;
I'm sure they won't Wen lose the tide Il Ee don't
look sharp
He turned aside 10 give an order just as a buxom
young woman accompanied by loutish boy.
bandbox and several other bundles, came hurryfng
on the JettF.
well. here we are, Cap'u Evans said the girl
springing lightly on to the deck Il thought We
should never get here; the cabman didn't seem TO
know the way: but knew you wouldn't go without
u.s.
Here you are said the skipper, with attempted
cheerfulness, he gave the girl his right hand
while his left gtrayed vaguely in the direction Of
the boys ear. which coldly withheld from him
Go down below, and the mattel show you your
cabin Bill. this is Miss Cooper, a lady friend O.
mine. and her brother
The mate. acknowledging the introduction, led the
way the cabin. where they remained so long that
by the time they came deck again the schooner
was of LimehOuse. slipping along well under e
Light wind.
How do you like the stateroom?' inquired The
skipper, who was at the wheel
Pretty fair replied Miss Cooper It's & big
name for it. though amt it2 oh. what large
shipi'
She ran 10 tire side 10 gaze a. big liner. and as
far as Grsvesend besieged the skipper and mate
with questions concerning the various craft At
the mates suggestion they had tea on deck, at
which meal William Henry Cooper became q source
Of much discomfort TO his host by his remarkable
discoveries anent the fauna of lettuce Despite his
efforts however. and the cloud under which Evans
seemed 10 be lsboring, the meal was voted a big
success; and after il over they sat laughing
and chatting until the air got chilly and the banks
Of te river lost In the gathering darkness. At
10 o'clock they retired for the night. leaving Evans
and the mate on deck
sNcice gal that" said the mate, looking at the
skipper who was leaning moodiIy on the wheel
sAy ay" replied he. Bill" be continued, turn
ing suddenly toward the mate. I'm in a deuce
Of . mess You've got good square head on your
shoulders. Now, what on earth am i 10 DO! OL
course You can see row Tho land lays?'
"Of course said the mate. who was not going to
lose his reputation by any display Of ignorance
ANY one could see f." he added
The question is what's 10 be done?" said the
skipper
THAT'S :he question" said the mate guardediy-
- feel that worried" SAID Evans. that I've &C
tuaIly thought OF getting into collision. or running
the snip ashore. Fancy them two women meeting
At Llsndalock"
such 8 sudden light broke in upon the square
head Of the mate that he nearly vhstled with the
brightness of Il
-~Fut you amt engaged TO this one?' he cried
We're 70 be married in August said the skipper
Desperately. That's my Ting on her finger
But you're going 10 marry Mary Jones in Sep
tennbsr' expostulsted the mate. You can't marry
both OF 'ern7
That's what ] say" replied Evans; that's what
7 keep telling myself. but It don't seem 10 bring
much comfort. Tn too soft-earted where wfnnnen
.s concerned. Bill. an that's the truth Of it
D'reokly get alongside Of a nice gal my arm goes