Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-12-07
"Good morning. Captain Stryker."
said Kirkwood, rising. 'T want to tell

/
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 an
smilin'. eigh? Now guess"-the en-
phasis made 1t clear that the captain
believed himself to be employing an
Americanism. and 80 successful was
he in his own esteem that he could not
resist the temptation to improve upon
the imitation-'na-ow I guess yeou're
abaout right ready. bent ye, to hev
drink, sonny"
"No, thank you," said Kirkwood,
smiling tolerantly. I've got any
amount Of appetite"
Gave you. nowT Shryker dropped
his mimicry and glanced at the clock.
breakfast" he announced, will be
served In the myne dinin' saloon at
eyght a. m. Passengers is requested
not to be lyte at tyble."
Depositing the bottle on the said Ia
BILE. the captain searched until he
found another glass for Kirkwood and
sat down.
"Do you good" he insinuated, push
ing the bottle gently over.
mo, thank you," reiterated Kirk
wood shortly. little annoyed.
Stryker seized his own glass, poured
out a strong mans dose Of the fiery
concoction, gulped 1t down and sighed.
Then, with glance at the Americans
woebegone countenance, he filed his
pipe.
The fumes Of burning shag sharp
ened the tooth of desire Kirkwood
stood 1t as long as he could, then sur.
rendered with an "If you've got any
more of that tobacco. captain. I'd be
glad Of pipe"
An intensely contemplative express
sion crept into the captains small blue
eyes.
II only got one other pyper Of this
ere 'baccy," he announced at length,
"an' l carn't get no more till l gets
'ome. simply couldn't part with 1t
hunder 'arf quid."
Kirkwood settled back with hope
less lift Of his shoulders. Abstractedly
Stryker puffed the smoke his way
until he could endure the deprivation
no longer.
II had about 10 shillings In my
pocket when / came aboard. captain,
and a few other articles"
COW. yes: SO you 'ad. now you men,
tion It."
Stryker rose. ambled into his room
and returned with Kirkwood's posses
sions and a fresh paper of shag.
While the young man was hastily fill
Ing. lighting and inhaling the first
strangling but delectable Whit the
captain solemnly counted into his own
palm all the loose change except three
large pennies. The latter he showed
over to Kirkwood In company with Il
miscellaneous assortment Of articles,
which the American picked up piece
by piece and began to bestow about
his clothing. When through he sat
back, troubled and disguised. Stryker
met his regard blandly.
Anything I can do" he inquired. In
suave concern.
"why. there was II black pearl
scarfpin"-
IVY, don't you remember? You
gave that to 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 val
liable and cherished Of his belongings.
YES" nodded the captain In remi-
niscence. you don't remember Like
IL twas the brandy singin' In yer 'ead.
You pushes II into my 'ands-almost
weepin'. you was-an' sez, sez you,
'Stryker.' you seq. 'tyke this in tritiin'
toking Of my gratichood; ! wouldn't
hlnsult YOU you sez, by hofferin' you
money. but this | can insist on yer
acceptin'. an no refusal says you
"Oh." repeated KirkwOod.
"If I for an instant thought you
wasn't sober when you done it But
no: you're gent, II there ever was
one. an I'm not the man to offend
you"
"0h. indeed"
Captain Stryker thoughtfully meas
ured out second drink. limited only
by the capacity Of the tumbler. en-
gulfed 1t noisily and got up.
"Guess I'll be turnin' In" he vol
unteered affably, yawning and stretch
Ing.
81 was about to ask you to do me
service" began Kirkwood.
"YesT with the rising infection OF
mockery.
Kirkwood quietly produced his cigar
case, a gold matchbox, gold cardcase
and slipped a signet ring from his fin
ger. evil you buy these" he asked,
"or will you lend me f5 and hold
them as security"
stryker examined the collection with
exaggerated interest strongly tinctured
with mistrust. "Ill buy EN-" he Of
fered eventually, looking up.
That's kind Of YOU
"ow, they amt much use to me, but
Bill STRIKERS allus willin' to accom-
modate a friend. -Four Quid, you
said?"
"Five."
"They amt wuth over four to me-"
every well. Make 1t four" Kirk
wood assented contemptuously.
The captain swept the articles Into
one capacious fist, pivoted on one heel
at the peril of his neck and numbered
unsteadily of to his room. Pausing at
the door, he turned back in inquiry.
81 sye, 'ow did you come to get the
impression there was party named
| Almanack aboard this wesselT
Calendar
"Ave 1t yer own wye." Stryker con-
ceded gracefully.
"There isn't, is there"
"You 'eard me-"
"Then," said Kirkwood sweetly. "rm
sure you wouldn't be interested"
The captain pondered this at leisure.
you seemed pretty keen abaht seein'
'im," he remarked conclusively.
81 was"
Seems to ME l did ear the nyme
sumw'eres afore." The captain up
peared to wrestle with an Obdurate
memory. "Ow!" he triumphed. Il