The Press., 1912-02-28

loss" She came close to the fence
and leaned over, speaking freely as
though glad of listener.
81 am sorry, Miss Drake. May
ask what it is?'
MY fish," she whispered. 1.-The love
Hest bluefish you ever saw. The cut
stole it."
What catY' IsGsked mechanically.
IT am not sure whether it was my
SNOWFALL or Maria Weeks Ginger.
You see. it was all ready to fry for
the butt'ry window, and the window
was wide open. When l went to get
it 1t was gone" She spoke as tragi-
cally as though she had lost dear
friend.
"A bluefishT'' I was thinking guilt
lily of the one had eaten at dinner,
and | had a mental vision of Miss
Maria leaning from her buttery win
dow and coolly fishing for Lucy
brakes fish with the late Mr.. Weeks
boat hook. wanted to laugh, it was
all so funny and so unaccountable.
why should Maria st-Maria's cat
steal your bluef1shT' asked to cover
my embarrassment.
ITO eat. would not have cared
only Lucy blushed painfully aud
turned away her head.
ut is too bad. Perhaps Captain
Barnabas could catch another one" |
suggested.
He doesn't seem to have very good
luck fishing" she said and hurried into
the house without ceremony.
walked down to the end Of the row
Of low, comfortable houses that str"g-
gled along the beach road. and then
turning went back to my boarding
place. Dinner would be cleared away
by this time and Maria taking her af-
ternoon nap. l wanted a nap myself.
When l reached the front door he
gate changed noisily and l turned TO
see Captain Barnabas tramping hedv-
lily up the graveled path. He came up
the steps and stood, grim and unsr1il-
ing, beside me.
Miss Weeks to homer he asked Inn
politely.
81 believe so. Come in and sit down.
captain" And I ushered him into Ma
ria's sitting room.
To my surprise she was in there, ett-
ting very pale and unhappy looking in
a big rocking chair.
"Mariar' Numbered Captain Barna-
bas. And when l would have fed Ma
ria beckoned me to remain. Therefore
l lowered near the door. feeling very
uncomfortable.
Don't you Maria me. Barnabas
Fish," said Maria coIdly.
Miss Weeks, what did you do it
for?" he demanded, fixing his bright
blue eyes on her swapping black ones.
do what forT Maria's tone was
surprised
You see nay schooner down there?"
Captain Fish pulled back the window
curtain and pointed horny forefnger
at the graceful lines Of the Indus. an
chored opposite the Weeks cottage.
"Yes. | see it. l don't see how ! can
help seeing it, planted right there in
front of Lucy brakes cottage" Maria
was jealous. Now l began to under
stand.
II was sitting out there just before
dinner, and l had the glasses. was
looking at your house. l was"- Cap
tain Barnabas blushed and cast about
for an excuse for his lovers foolish
ness. II was wondering If Miss Tel
ham had gone for a walk. l was look
ing. when l saw you, Maria Weeks,
steal Lucy's fish off herewith a boat
hookv' Did Captain Fish chuckle?
Maria blushed and then paled. lit
was my fish," she said obstinately.
You had promised It to me-"
II promised one to her every day IN
dl-until she collected her interest
money. She's been hard up. Fish amt
so terrible hardy, but they're brain
food anyway. and you know Lucy
She needs all the fish she can eat"
The captain was trying to cover his
own kindness with clumsy Joke. ~
promised her fish every morning. l
thought 1t would be easy to kefch
a-plenty of 'em, but, drat 1t all. never
caught but one every day, and she
needed it, Mariar' His tone ended in
an apologize note.
Maria Weeks arose, conscience strick-
en-. 81 took her ashland she's hun
CRY. l must go and see her at once.
She must come to supper and
81 will go and ask her, Miss Maria"
said hastily, and as went l heard
Captain Fish's voice growing out
some question and Maria's smothered
shrek Of dismay.
"Oh. Barnabas! / could never keep
house on that schooner"
knew Maria had caught another
sort Of fish this time.