The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-10

1
gone. But there was brightness
about her talk which showed that a
nigh spirit still ran within her, and
there was an indefnable something In
her attitude that made the little sailor
feel vaguely FESTIVE and uneasy.
Sne talked composedly over recent
ovents-her own departure from the
Kangaroo. which she frankly stigma.
ttzed as foolish, the arrival at the for.
tress, and her unexpected treatment
| there.
II believe Sidi Bergash really be-
iieved | would marry him. though TO
give him his due he never did put II
/ IN so many words. But there is no
doubt that both my brother and | were
in extreme danger. and the way you
! got us out OF his clutches is thing
that never can be properly rewarded.
And she said more. much
! more. in the same strain. IL was
| fiatering, il was fluent, yet somehow
| without being able TO lind out any
| definite cause OF Offense, Kettle found
that IL all in a vague way Jared on
| him. Up till now he hal always en-
Joyed and. indeed. looked forward TO
| Miss Cheste-man's conversation, as OF
| course she meant he should; and TO
| nights change disquieted him. For
| half an hour he listened there in the
warm night under those southern stars
without being able 10 define even 10
himself the subtle change that had
come over her manner, but at last
with a fash il dawned on him. There
was faint OF patronage over his talk
/ tonight II was intended that he
should grasp that indiscretions In the
past were indiscretiops, and that she
was the great lady. and that he was
the hired mariner.
All Captain Kettles rebellious mo-
ture leaped into arms at the discov-
ery-and as promptly became limp and
submissive. She had made mistake;
he had made a mistake: and II this
was her way OF putting things
straight, he ought not 10 be the one
10 complain.
And now" said she, Il must speak
TO you on mere Intimate matter, and
that is about your attachment to my
mai--to Emily. My eyes have told
me what your feelings are in the mat
ter. and both my brother and ! wish
TO see you comfortably settled down.
So we have thought out what seems TO
us suitable wedding present, and my
brother-ah, here's Rex, and there
he is. George!"
Yes, old girl. Having talk with
the skipper? Did you tell him our
little scheme?"
Il left II TO you
We'll. Captain, It's this. In a mo-
ment of stress told you I'd give
everything ! Possessed in the world
10 be carried safely back on board
here, and as you're the man who's
done the magic trick, you are natur
ally entitled 10 the pay. OF course
when il Gomez 10 the point I'm Going
I said, and ali the rest of it,, and so
will you kindly waive the whole
claim. and accept the Norman Tow
ers as she stands. in settlement
Captain Kettle swallowed hard. Il
couldn't, sir, really couldn't do
appreciate your splendid generosity.
but this is beyond all reason. Eight
and half per cent is what YOU prom
ised me and that I'll take in all graft
tude But The whole: couldn't Why,
ship and cargo together are worth
two hundred thousand pounds.
The big man put his hands in the
pockets OF his loose snooting-coat. and
made a hooking bow The big retriey-
or opened a laughing mouth. III
value my only sister at one hundred
fifty thousand pounds. which really
seems an impe rtinently low figure,
that only leaves fifty thousand pounds
for myself, and in justice to my con
stituents couldn't put II at less. But
Skipper. | prefer not TO look on IT in
that light. owe you a tremendous
debt OF gratitude that / can never re-
pay. You are, | trust, going TO marry
Miss Dubbs. who is a girl | have
great liking for, and IL Will give me
real pleasure If you will accept from
NV sister and myself a wedding pres
ent which will. we believe, provide
for YOU comfortably. You'll find pa
pers In this envelope which will form
an efficient transfer OF the steamer
from myself as full owner TO YOU.
And now. Violet you're dead tired,
and so am T. You'd much better go
below and turn in. That's what | am
going TO do myself Well see Captain
Kettle at breakfast tomorrow morn
ing
An hour later Mr.. Forster. the elder.
w second mate. knocked at the chart
house door. opened. and went in. He
stood for a moment shifting noisily AT
a smell OF Transplant. and then looked
heavily round the angle OF the door.
On tine plush settee sat Captain Kettle
and Miss Dibhs, her arm round his
neck. his left arm round her trim
waist, their right hands clasped, their
lips together
The second mate was a stupid man,
and prided himself on his stupidity
l"Captain," ne said. I've TO report"
Get out"
"To-report that"
Get 10 blazes out OF this, you blum
dering elephant, or III throw you into
THE ditch What IN thunder do You
mean coming into my room unasked?
Get out. YOU armorplated idiot, and
smut the door"
Mr.. Forster retTeated SLOWLY and
heavily, shut the solid teak door TO
within FIVE inches OF the lamb, and
, fastened il there on the hook
, Through the zap he stolidly completed
his message There's a ships life
boat rowing in here from the en-
trance OF the lagoon. She's manned
nv white men. The moonlight show
, them clearly"