The daily Alaskan., 1910-10-04

were spent In going from house TO
house and whose ears were wearied
with much gossip and whose eyes
were tired OF flashing needles and the
I whir of the sewing machine. What
/ blissfully happy existence would be
hers In the snug shelter Of the sloop'
with its perfect arrangements for
housekeeping. the indulgent captain
/ for husband. And-here Miss VIII
/ Hes head drooped-there was nobody
1 quite so loyable as Captain Benjamin
Bunnl That was Miss Willie's care
fully guarded secret. that and her 1eal-
ousy Of the three Evas of Little River
village Her face grew quite pale
again as she shook Off Captain Bunn's
hand.
II couldn't live In house or a boat
that was named after another woman.
You can see how they'd all talk, espe-
eially II they didn't marry you them
selves" she said resolutely.
Marry me themselves" roared the
captain you don't mean them three
women wanted TO marry me?"
Miss Willie nodded proudly. Every
one OF 'em has laid claim to you ever
since you sailed into harbor with
Lovely Eva painted on the sloop."
''She had that name when l bought
her down TO Roekport. What can /
do? It's bad luck to change a boats
name" said the captain helplessly.
Perhaps you'll think 1t good luck
not 10 change IT," retorted Miss Willie
stifiy. once more turning away. And
this time Captain Bum did not detain
her.
he watched her with grave blue eyes
from which all the happiness had fed
until her lilac skirts had duttered
around a pile OF great powders, and
then, with long sigh. he picked up his
painting materials and trudged up TO
the sloOp.
The result Of long meditation was
visible the next morning when Captain
Bum rugged a small scaffoldtng and
swung himself 10 a seat under the bow
of the Lovely Eva. Cheerfuly he
worked, and he sang Justify the chorus
Of ben Bowline" 1t was short job,
but one requiring delicacy and skill.
When IL was finished he performed a
similar operation on the port bow and
then hurried 10 the stern. where he
stood on barrel and carefully TO
painted the worn letters that an
nouneed the name OF Lovely Eva,
Little River"
Then he few down to the sailboat
and with loving care lettered the name
OF "Wnhelmina B." on stem and stern.
He had long finished his work and was
fresh and clean In a suit OF white drill
when a man came along the beach
from Little Village. He was the edi-
tor OF the weekly newspaper.
Good morning, captain" he hailed
cheerily. 81 received your message
about the new boat. so I've come down
10 have a look at her. A beauty, Isn't
sheg' He stood still and examined the
boat with q critical eye.
81 think she's pretty tine, Mr.. Brown
I'll take you out tomorrow. Perhaps
we can get u few blues outside, ehY
The captain beamed happily. Every
thing would be well now, and in the
distance he could see Miss Willie
Deems picking her way down the
beach toward him.
Makes the old sloop look some shah
by" he remarked. calling attention to
the boat on the sand above them-s
Mr.. Brown turned and looked at the
sloop. He sQuinted long at her and
then went up closer. What's the
matter with her name. captain?
thought He turned puzzled look
on the captain. who was watching him
with tw!nkling eyes.
What is the matter with her manner
repeated Captain Bum innocently.
why. thought her name was Love-
ly Eva, but. by George. it's Lonely
Eva
The captain laughed. ITS always
been Lonely Eva-queer name, isn't itf
but somehow the first stroke OF the
n wore Of and left " It's never
been painted back again TIL awhile
ago. You see, that's her real name"
Now that IS quite u joke" unused
Mr.. Brown, with eyes mlrthfully rem
iniscent OF two spinsters and an am
bilious widow who laid claim to the
name OF Eva. Il wonder II you'd OBJ
tect 10 my writing that up for the pa
per. never heard the sloop called
anything except Lovely. although !
guess It's been mighty lonely some
times" He laughed at his own joke.
Write her up; write her upP agreed
the captain heartily, with a wave OF
his hand 10 the departing editor.
He saw Mr.. Brown greet Miss VIII
lie with great Difference. and then he
stood quietly waiting until she reach
ed his side
81 expect I'm acting like fool over
the name of that boat" she began hur-
rledly. when Captain Bunn's pointing
/ finger brought her 10 an abrupt pause.
DO you think any woman II ever lay
claim TO having that sloop named after
/ her, Williel Any woman In Little
River going to acknowledge her name