Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-12-26

to missing out qualifying pointer every target prac-
ticc."
Auten dropped his eyes. III the game had changed"
he said, 81 wouldn't be thinking as l am now OF
shipping over with you Tomorrow. I'm down and
out. what with the ranch foreclosed, and all my debts.
I've got notes out overdue. There's Johnny-cops Gov
ering my trail, 80 I only dast to come out after dark"
Toe frowned. He OWNED the touch of itching
palms.
IF it wasn't fo4-another matter-that may pull
me through" Niger hesitated, "a case I'd like to in
troduce YOU tonight. I'd have come out aboard to re
enlist the minute you got in. The Service is always
a home for one Of us, like the workhouse for a hobo.
Curse the old ocean, and come along with me here
now"
The car had stopped, and the pair stepped of into
the dark Of the strange city. After all, Joe had but
to- wish at the rock OF monotony, and the stream OF
adventure flowed.
Over there" said Auten, pointing to a ring of
bright lights up a cross-strect. And shake it up
Uudesirables that call themselves bailifs have me
spotted. You still off the booze? and gun-shy Of
dames?"
"Tn take a s%eltzer," said Joe, attacked BY his in
born caution.
They passed under the lights. which spelled War
ratah Saloon and perchcd themselves upon stools in
the private bar" At once a tallish. transcendcnt
creature, with amoer eye nd cooper-dust hair round
ed over her cars, took shape behind the row OF brass
taps. She half closed her long lashes upon Auten,
and one cheek swelled to the presence of her tongue
He winked back at her, directing her glance upon Joe,
with a confident air at exhibiting so comely a COM
rade.
Hes wooden with a girl" explained Auten.
KNOWS no more about them than you do Of torpe-
does. Miss Cadbury, Mr.. Terry"
"Ah. stow it, stow it." said Joe, writing with diff
dence.
Well be friends. I'm sure" bowed the barmaid,
with a smile.
Joe mumbled, and braced a shy right hand across
the counter: with his left he grabbed at his hat, grew
fustered. and lett it rakishly over one eye. The girl
accepted his offer, and bounced his fist back upon the
bar with undoubted pressure.
She's the reason I spoke Of, Joe. why Pm not ship
ping over with the outfit said Auten. "She owns
property That is, her old man does, and an interest
in this house FL. Irene"
lie. liked bar business. /, sure4y seemed to Zoe
a case OF marry for them. Niger showed an eager
ness TO possess her and settle down; Irene a tender
8, lcitude toward HIN, which her rcsplcndencc some
what belied. until they touched upon his debts.
"Aint we settled all that: :" put in Au,en, impaticntly.
III the 'patcr' don't come across by tomorrow, I'm
shipping over. ! give him that fat, last night
az amt in a sailor ever to save up any guilds, is it,
Mr.. Terry she asked. wistfully. you must have
seen a lot OF the world. 'Ow do you like Our 'arbor"
"It's its good holding ground stammered Joe, red
denins at her attention. Good, even compared with
Rio"
81 lHc your friend" cut in Irene to Niger. And
then she narrowed her yellow eyes upon Joe as she
had upon his old shipmate, adding Il don't know
that Pve ever seen a smarter uniform. SO much more
becoming than most of our sailormen. How old is he,
Niger
Auten did not answer. Joe hitched himself up upon
his seat. A sudden bravery. a bravado, a masculine
assertion, seemed to strike down and s%uppiant his shy
ness. The red faded from his face. His jaw muscles
twitched slightly, and then set into a challenging ex-
pectant mile.
Eyes in the boat. there. Rene" commanded Mig
ger, with a forced lightness.
Joe leaned forward upon the bar, oblivious. and
moistencd his lips. Auten studied him with a scowl
Hes a dangerous man" Niger added. after a
pause, coldly. "You want to look out for him"
But meanwhile Irene, without taking her eyes off
Joe had measured a drink Of Scotch. and filed the
glass with soda, although neither man had ordered
anything. Now she slid the drink to Auten, and, fac
irg him. asked, What II lack here havc7"
"Lemon-iemon squash" bristled Niger. That's
all he ever drinks. a shot of whiskey d land him
in III. brig"
"No! Got any rye" Joe interrupted, horsely; and
without waiting for All answer, ordered, Gimme A
brandy. then
Niger bit his lip. Look here, you toy soldier
homebreaker, you-" he began. But as Joe, stiff as
iron and like a deaf man, grasped the brandy bottle
which Irene had handed him, Niger tried to drawl
to her "Co easy with him, now. We can't have a kid
like little Toe down and out on your hands
"Thcn you oughtn't TO have brought him here" she
reproached him. ale should have come up home. Will
he be in town long"
Making a hit with you, he u.s." growled Niger,
draining his glass savagely.
"Oh, no fear. It's only his rig I like she bantered.
you might look as neat dressed like him. ! wish I'd
known you wien you were on a ship" She continued
to eye Joe dreamily. Something about his admired
eei-up seemed to disturb her. for she leaned forward
and with both hands smoothed out the knot in his
black scarf, rnurmuring a satisfied "Thcrc 1"--as she
drew back with her head on one side.
AZ her touch Ioe had bent forward he hc,,-v ia.