Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-27


woman Two other men appeared from the fore
CASTLE and together they eased sheets till the schooner
was running free. Away ahead Adams river
estuary eight miles wide between its two most
seward points, and covered from shore to shore with
broken water, vast field of spoutng breakers re
lieved only by family darker streak which tod Of
a navgable channel. Adams watched with faSci-
mated interest as the schooner entered it.
'Fearsome sort of place for stranger to find him
self strayed into, he said when Peter rejoned him
breeze. Nobody but Ribble folk born an bred ever
come wiout pilot" replied Peter
The girl seems to know it we'll"
'Blindfod, nearly. But all the Runters do. Its
born wi EN-
They were blowing along avenue of breaking
pillows that never straight for two hundred con-
secutive yards Adams was intent1y watching the
movements of smack some way ahead
'Port-port!'' he muttered in unconscious excite
ment. But the smack, Ribbe built and owned
took acute turn to starboard, and Adams saw
Peters wondering eyes on him.
Should not the channel twist the other way
there?" he asked curiously.
Peters curiosity was deeper. That's years age"
he answered, staring at the passenger The scour
O. the ebb rubbed the corner off, But it was long
afore your time Why, can only just remember il!
eery sensation.
A S mellow chime of three out to them over
= the water the breakers dropped astern and the
schooner drew opposite the harbor point, whence a
church clock looked at them across three hundred
yards of fiat green turf
),
Adams gaze. What O. the family aren't drowned
lie there Then he jumped up to shorten sail.
They came to anchor almost within the shadow of
windmills sails, under which nestled a ifeboat
house shore boat stole alongside which was not
for the Hunters.
Il thought you'd mebbe like to go ashore your
own" explained Peter, dropping rope ladder.
Adams keenly appreciative Of the delicate pro-
vision, thanked him and lifted one leg the bull
warks. But there descended each shoulder
respectful grip and two salaaming sailors wished to
do a mite toward earning the gold Peter had shared
Jacob ladders were dangerous to feet
would he allow them to assist! AS an afterthought
prompted by glimpse of Miss Bettys mildly con-
temptuous eyes, he resigned himself to the brawny
arms, and no seasck tripper was ever helped down
a vessels side more tenderly.
At twilight that evening, after selecting diamond
paned hotel wherein anything above a whisper
seemed sacrege. Adams strolled to the pier. Now in
Ribblesands everybody knows everybody-who
So much Adams realized after he had sat lonely
hour under pier lamp without receiving second
glance from any of the promenading throng, and the
delicate mission that had brought him to the town
seemed to grow more delicate and difficult than
He was glad when the pier master knowing the re-
serve of the natives came and sat by him out of
charity They talked together of weather and ship
ping in an aroma of Adams cigar smoke
Know the Runters of this placer asked Adams
at last
The pier master nodded an affirmative.
know their history continued Adams, or at
least that part of it which" He stopped in re-
Spouse to a frantic nudge and the pier master fled
abruptly. Adams became aware tnaI MISS Deity
Runter was standing over him with CLEAN of proud
resentment in her eyes,
NY name is Runter,' she said chillingly. Per
haps you will put any further questions about our
family history to me, tell your reasons for pry-
ing into it,"
7IIl do both if you will sit down." responded
Adams after pause
Somewhat to his surprise she did so. "Now" she
said peremptorily. But first tell me where have
seen you before" she added with perplexed quicker
@on the Biddulph this afternoon
Before that, long time ago.
Nowhere" replied Adams. Now let me ex-