Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-01-14

this talk tonight 1t was intended that
he should grasp that indiscretions In
the past were indiscretions, and that
she was the great lady, and that he
was the hired mariner.
All Captain Kettles rebellious ma
| ture leaped into arms at the discovery
and as promptly became limp and
submissive. She had made a mistake !;
he had made mistake; and If this
was her way of putting things straight
he ought not to be the one to com
plain.
And now" said she, 81 must speak
! to you on q more intimate matter, and
that is about your attachment to my
mai-to Emily. My eyes have told me
what your feelings are in the matter,
| and both my brother and wish to see
you comfortably settled down. So we
/ have thought out what seems to us Il
suitable wedding present, and my
brother-ah. there's Rex, and there he
is. George!"
Yes, old girl Having a talk with
the skipper? Did you tell him our lit.
| tie scheme?"
Il left it to you" ..
! We'll. Captain. it's this. In mo-
ment Of stress told you I'd give every
thing / possessed in the world to be
carried safely back on board here, and
as you're the man who's done the
magic trick, you are naturally entitled
to the pay. OF course when 1t comes
to the point I'm going to tell you
! didn't really mean what said, and all
the rest of it, and so will you kindly
waive the whole claim, and accept the
Norman Towers, as she stands, In set
tlement?"
Captain Kettle swallowed hard. II
couldn't, sir, really couldn't. do ap-
preciate your splendid generosity, but
this is beyond all reason. Eight and a
half per cent is what you promised me
and that I'll take in all gratitude. 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 shooting-coa and
made a hooking bow. The big re-
triever opened laughing mouth. III
value my only sister at one hundred
fifty thousand pounds. which really
seems an impertinently low figure.
that only leaves fifty thousand pounds
for myself, and In justice to my con-
stituents l couldn't put It at less. But,
Skipper. prefer not to look on 1t IN
that light. owe you tremendous
debt of gratitude that I can never re-
pay. You are, trust, going to marry
Miss Dubbs, who Is girl I have a
great liking for, and 1t will give me
real pleasure IL you will accept from
my sister and myself wedding
present which will, we believe, provide
for you comfortably. You'll find papers
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 l. You'd better go below and
turn in. That's what am going to do
myself. Well see Captain Kettle at
breakfast tomorrow morning"
An hour later Mr. Forster, the elder
ly second mate, knocked at the chart
house door, opened, and went in He
stood for moment shifting noisily at
a smell Of frangipani and then looked
heavily around the angle of the door.
On the plush settee sat Captain Ket-
tie and Miss Dubbs, her arm round his
neck, his left arm round her trim
waist, their right hands clasped, their
lips together.
The second mate was stupid man,
and prided himself on his stupidity.
Captain" he said, 1--WE to report"
Get out"
Toto report that" ,,
Get to hlaZes out of this. YOU
laundering elephant, or I'll throw you
into the ditch What in thunder do
you mean coming into my room UNI
asked? Get out, you armor-plated idiot,
and shut the door" ,'..
Mr.. Forster ,retreated slowly and
heavily, shut the solid teak door to
within five inches of the jamb, and
fastened it there on the hook. Through
the gap he stolidly completed his mes
sage. There's ships life-boat row.
ing in here from the entrance of the
lagoon. She's manned by white men.
The moonlight shows them clearly
Callers at this time Of night" said
Captain Kettle lightly, but within him
he was conscious Of queer sinking
feeling, and. as he confessed after
ward. premonition of disaster. But
to his officer he added in his usual
brisk tones, Very good. You needn't
report again unless they seem to want
help, or till they come up alongside.
Keep bright lookout. And please re-
member I'm busy. and do not wish to
be disturbed, unless on ships busi-
ness"