The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-11-16
CHAPTER vii.
Mr.. McTodd eracIousIy Decides


There was, as far as | can gather,
no actual proposal. They never even
got to Christian names, and only in
moments OF forgetfulness slipped out
dear" It was always Captain" or
Miss Dubbs," from one to the other,
but the fact OF their engagement was
public property, and the little land
lord in his deepest voice had pro.
nC.nced benediction, and the audi
ence in the Snug had enthusiastically
drunk their healths separately and in
combination.
Not till the day after the bargain
had been struck, and in ship-bfok-
er's Office in Liverpool. did Captain
Kettle discover that Sir George. was
Sir George Ghesterman, and though
the coincidence OF names struck him
as peculiar, he did not somehow as.
sociate him with the Miss Violet
IChesterman OF the Rhein and the Nor
man Towers. They had not a feature
in common, and, for that matter, as
far as he could trace. not taste in
common Miss Violet, according 10
her own account was society woman
to the tips OF her shoes; Sir George
loved the country and country pur-
suits, and hated the town and all its
peoples.
To make assurance doubly sure he
had asked the landlord OF the
Mason's Arms as TO what other mem
bers OF the family ever came TO the
Hall except Lady Chesterman, and
was promptly told None" Sir George
and his wife were lonely couple
-
brighten them. which probably &C
counts" doomed the host In his NOV
ling whisper. for her ladyship's tam
trums. AS I've often said to ma, II
you've no children OF your own, the
best way to avoid dullness Is 10 get
lother people round you, and that's
why we went into the public line"
The steamer OF Sir Georges choice
was finally run to earth-or TO be
more precise. to moorings-in the
Tyne opposite the Dolly Stairs, and
Captain Kettle, after an impressive
and respectful farewell to his hancee,
took train for South Shields, and en-
gagged there a select but inexpensive
lodging.
/ He travelled down In multi because
his mates uniforms were having that
extra band OF gold lace added TO the
.cuft which is the mercantile marine
shipmaster's special ensign, but he
carried the marks of the sea and his
grade in the cock OF his red torpedo
beard, and in every line OF his spruce
! figure, and more than one fellow
mariner inspected him with curious
stare as IL to recall on which OF the
many seas they had met. II remained
4 g. ~. - 4. t,.nfV. nj tHly hs-
iEtephen TO put the seal on this general
recognition. ~
Captain" said the guard, opening
the door of Kettles compartment and
touching his hat, there's party in
the rear coach that'll be handed over
TO the police when we get to New
castle IL some one don't take charge
OF him"
''Well?" said Kettle, tickled at the
title but feeling the sedateness that
was due to his rank.
''He says he's ships officer, sir.
II would be rity for him 10 get into
trouble II IL could be avoided.
What's the trouble? Is he drunk >"
Hes that, sir. and Scotch, and he's
preaching lecture TO the other pas
sengers In his compartment on the
illustrated by themselves. and won't
let them read their papers. II would
be a charity. Captain. il you could do
something, only'-the guard looked
pointedly at his watch-"only youii
nave TO be quick about It."
iii go.look-see' said Captain Ket-
70. and jumped briskly out on 10 tbs
platform.
The noise OF argument came biilow-
ing out OF carriage window, and Ket-
tie made for it,. and put in his head.
Gosh" said disheveled man in
side. its the pirate. Mr.. Mate, Mr..
Picaroon. I've mislaid your name. but
you're the very fellow I've come back
to England TO see. Yell ken | promis
ed We yarn"
II know you did. and that's what
I've ccmc for. but l don't want TO
share Il. Come along forward. I've
got a compartment 10 myself there
And yon's very wise obsalrve.
The yarns full OF humor. an these
looms here we'd no open. their lips
by way o. smile, though Nestor swore
the fest were laughable We can Tell
, their seriousness by the cut o. their
/ nebs The quotation, by the ways,
! from Shakespeare or George X SIMS,
| but | forget which. We see
Come along, man, or the train VII
I null ont"
4 and the raTIroAd company -'Fetstta
4 he the gamer by half my fare. III
, lao crafty them. Aweel ma friends
! We may enjoy your dlsgraceful nebs
/ lin peace-if ye can--till ye meet me
next. Mr.. Mate. III take your arm
iust 10 show ma friendly feeling to
ward yerser.
Now to be saddled with a talr~sve
, drunken man is embarrassing TO any
tpne hut when you are a-sealarer.
with a good deal OF ignorance OF, and
'dis.rust for. English shore ways. arh
tChen. moreover, You are journcying
TO ;oin your first command as captain.
THE situation approaches the, tragic, !
captain Kettle had n large experience
LOT Grunks. few men had more; and
his usual treatment OF them might be