The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-03-27

recommendation, the chance was given
for much lower price, of course-to
the Lizzie's owners. The vessel laid
easy, with only her bows on the sand,
and the anchors and cables got her
clear In three days.
Then they went anchor dragging
again and met with considerable sue
cess. All this was profitable, as well
a. good advertising. and the Lizzie's
owners were doing well. But they
were ambitious and yearned for the
day when they might undertake bigger
things Captain Titcomb was for or.
dering new and larger wreckins
schooner Immediately. N
But Bradley, more conservative.
counseled waiting little longer. 'sNo
use saddling ourselves with a big debt
to start WITH" he said. "'Dead horse
u the meanest animal to pay for that
know Of"
But. although the captain agreed to
wait little longer before ordering the
new vessel. he announced that he was
going to keep his eyes open, and per-
haps he'd strike bargain some day or
other.
One evening a little later Bradley
and the old maids were in the sitting
room. Miss Prissy was much better
and had, for the first time. donned
wrapper and come downstairs to cit In
the big rocker. Miss Tempy was read
Ing aloud to her. and Clara was In the
Kitchen washing the supper dishes.
The earl bent his proud head"
read Miss Tempy, "'and gazed into
the clear blue orbs that met his own.
Claire" he murmured In a deep, rich
tone that vibrated through the heavy
air Of the gloomy cavern; "ClaIre, my
beautiful. my own, poor and humble
your station on earth may have been.
but henceforth. II we escape from the
lurid flames Of yonder volcano and the
cruel blades Of the merciless bucca.
neers, you shall no longer be the peas
ant maid, but my bride. my wife, mis-
tress Of Castle Craggyknoll; the peer.
loss''"
"what's thatY' she exclaimed, break.
Ing OF suddenly.
whats what2" asked her sister
drowsily.
Seems to me l heard somebody in
the kitchen"
Clara IL there. isn't sheY' queried
Bradley.
"Yes, but-I thought--yes, there's
somebody else. do b'lleve It's q man!
You don't s'pose she's got q beauf I'm
goin' to see." Ns
And, before the others could remon-
strAte, she put 'the Comforter on the
table and started for the kitchen.
They heard her cross the dining room
and open the door. Then came an ex-
clamation.
why. whyw she cried; and then.
well. I do declared"
What do you s'pose 'tis?" asked
Miss Prissy. now thoroughly awake.
The kitchen door had swung to, but
there was a great clatter Of voices be-
hind 1t. Miss Tempy was exclaiming
and arguing; Clara Hopkins. who was
visiting the old maids during the alb
sence Of her folks, from town. appar-
emily. was saying very little. and
third person. In deep bass rumble.
was explaining something or other.
Land OF goodness" CRED Miss Pris-
sy. III hope 1t amt the minister. and
me In this old wrapperv
The kitchen door was opened. Miss
Tempy appeared beaming. and there
followed her into the sitting room no
less parsonage than Captain Ezre
Titcomb. The captains face was tn.
least bit redder than usual, but he was
otherwise as suave and unmoved as II
the time of his previous call had been
but yesterday instead Of four years
before.
"Well. Prissy," he said, shaking
hands with the invalid. ''how are you
tonight7 Most ready to come on deck
and take command? No. don't git up.
Evenin'. Brad"
Poor Miss Prissy! She patted her
tumbled hair into the most present
able shape possible. hurriedly pulled the
red and white knitted afghan" over
the wrapper and managed to gasp that
she was glad to see the captain. Then
she sat still and stared reproachfully
at Miss Tempy.
But that lady was too excited to
notice her sisters agitation. She flut-
tered about the visitor like hen with
one chicken. trying to hang up his hat.
dropping 1t. blushlng violently as she
collided with him In the attempt to
pick It up and generally behaving. rs
Miss Prissy said afterward, like
born gump.
"Set right down. cap'n," she pleaded
We're reel glad to see you. What
made you come to the kitchen door?
I couldn't think who twas could you
Prissy? oh, my sakes"
In her nervous haste she had pushed
forward the big armchair that had