Graham guardian., 1911-04-07
.Cy Whittaker's
Place
BY JOSEPH c. LINCOLN
Copyrisht. 1905. By D. Appleton
q Co.

no. But IN aIrulu We SOueu yOut
cloth. 1t was awkward of me. IL
really--I apologize-I"-
He wiped his face with his handker-
chief Captain Cy laughed.
'Oh, never mind the tablecloth," he
said. II cailate it's too soiled already
TO be hurt by bath, even lemon
one We'll. you've all heard the toast,
Full glasses now. Here's to you,
Bos'n. Drink hearty. all hands, and
give the ship good name"
II the heartincss with which tsey
drank is criterion. the good name Of
the ship was established. Then the
assembly adjourned to the sitting
. room and--yes. even the front parlor.
Not since the days when that sacred
apartment had been desecrated by the
irreverent city boarders. during the
Howes regime had its walls echoed to
such whoops and shouts Of laughter,
The children played 'postoff1ce" and
Copenhagen" and "clap In. clap out
while the grown folks looked on.
"Ain't they havin' fine time. cap'nr'
gushed Miss Phinney. Don't 1t make
you wish you was young again?"
"Angie." replied Captain Cy solemn
ly. don't tempt NEEDN'T! II they
keep on playin' that Copenhagen and
you stand right alongside Of me there's
no tellin' what'll happen"
Angeline declared that he was "tur-
rible." but she faced the threatened
danger nevertheless and bravely re-
-mained where she was.
MIR. Atkins went home early In the
evening, taking Alicia with him. He
explained that his long railroad jour.
ney had--er--somewha fatigued him
and. though he hated to leave such a
---er-deligbtful gathering, he really
felt that under the circumstances his
departure would be forgiven. Captain
Cy opened the door for him and stood
watching as. holding his daughter by
the hand. he marched majestically
down the path,
''Humr' unused the captain aloud.
81 guess he has been travelin' nights.
Thought he ought to be here quick. |
shouldn't wonder. He does look tired.
that's fact. and kind of pale. seemed
to me-"
"well. there, nowy' exclaimed Mrs.
Trip. who was looking over his shoul-
der. did you see thatT'
"No. What was it?"
why. when he went to open his
gate one Of them arbor witty bushes he
set out this spring knocked his hat of.
And he never seemed to notice. but
went right on. If Licia hadn't picked
it up that nice new hat would have
been layin' there yet. 1laat's the most
undignifed thing ever ! see Heman
Atkins do He must be tired out. poor
man!'
The next day Cyrus was sitting at
home comforting with his supporters.
There came a knock at the door Of the
dining room. The captain went to
answer the knock. They heard the
door open. and then mans voice
asked:
'ls this Capn WhittakerY
YES" was the short answer.
"Well, cap'n. guess you don't know
me, though maybe you know some Of
my family. Ha, ha! Don't understand
that. hey? Well. you let me In and
III explain the joke"
The captains reply was calm and de
liberate.
II shouldn't wonder II understood
It. I received your letter today from
Concord" he said. Come In. DON'T
The remainder Of the sentence was
whispered. and the listeners ON the
sofa could not hear 1t. moment later
Captain Cy entered the sitting room.
followed by his caller,
The latter was q stranger. He was
a broad shouldered man Of medium
height, with yellowish mustache and
brown hair. He was dressed In rather
shabby clothes, without an overcoat,
and he had soft felt hat In his hand.
He carried himself with swagger,
and after his entrance there was a
perceptible aroma Of alcohol In the
room.
He stared at the board Of strategy,
and the stare was returned In full
measure. Bailey and Asaph were
wildly curious. They. Of course, con-
nected the strangers arrival with q
mysterious letter and the captains
perturbation OF the day.
But their curiosity was not to be
satisfied. at least not then.
How are you. gentsY' hailed the
newcomer cheerfully. "Like the looks
of me, do your"
Captain Cy cut of further conver.
sation.
"Ase." he said. this r--gentleman
and I have got some business to talk
over. know you're good enough
friends Of mine not to mind II ask
you to clear out You'll understand
you will understand. boys, won't your
he added almost entreatingly.
"Sartin surer' replied Mr.. Tidditt,
rising hurriedly. Don't say another
word. whit" And the mystified
Bangs concurred with q "Yes, yes
why. of coursel Didn't have nothin
that amounts to nothin' to stay for
anyhew See you tomorrer. Cy."
Outside and At the gate they stopped
and looked at each other.
"Wellw exclaimed Asaph. If that
- -------------