The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-03-26

Stolen
Singer
By Martha BeIlinger
CHAPTER XIV.
After You. Monsieuri

Jim had no desire to create sensa-
ton among his friends at the old red
house; but as he left the pine grove
all his instincts led him to flee in an
other direction. He did not fully
realize just what had happened to
him, but he was conscious of having
received a very hard Jolt, indeed The
house, full of happy associations as it
was, was just now too tantalizing a
place. Aleck had won out, and he and
Melanie were radiating that peculiar
kind of lovers Joy which shines on
the eve of matrimony. Jim wished
them well-none better-but he also
wished they wouldn't make such a
fuss over these things Get 1t done
and out of the way, and the less said
about 1t the better. In fact, Jim's
buoyant and sunny spirit went into
eclipse; he lost his holiday ardor, and
trudged over the hill and into the
shore road in a state of extreme de-
lection.
But he fingered on the way, divert
ed almost against his will by the sight
of fishing smacks putting into harbor,
an island steamer rounding a distant
cliff, and the Sea Gull lying notion
less just within the breakwater. Wom-
en- may be unkind, but a ship is
ship, after all. One can not nurse the
pain even of a shattered heart when
running before a stiff wind with the
spinnaker set and an open sea ahead.
The thought decided him. The sea
Oh b do hid H,,,d ,At otn
to arrange, at the moment, just how
this should be brought about, but his
determination was none the less firm.
He became sentimental to the extent
of rejecting, vaguely, that this was
but philosophic justice. The sea had
not conquered him-far from it;
neither should She conquer him. He
would follow the sea, the path Of gla-
mour, the home of the winged foot
and the vanishing sail, the road to
alien and mysterious lands
Thus Jimmy, in reaction from the
Arctic douche to which his emotional
self had been subjected. He was, fig
uratively speaking, blue with the cold,
but trying valiantly to warm himself
AS he gazed at the Sea Gull, asleep
on the food tide, cutting a gallant fig
ure in the glowing sunset, he felt an
overmastering longing to be aboard.
He would stay on the yacht until
Chamberlain came, at least; possibly
all night.
Having made up his mind on this
point, James persuaded himself that
he felt better. Philosophy is a friend
in need, after all. Why should one
failure in getting ones desires crush
the spirit? He would make right
about-face, travel for year on a sail
ing vessel, see the world. That was
it Hang the shoe business!
Immersed in mental chaos such as
these fragments of thought suggest,
Jim did not perceive that he was be-
ing overtaken until a slow greeting
came to his ears.
Good evening, friend" 1t was the
deliberate wide-eyed youth of the
Reading-room.
"Ah, good evening""
IF you are on your way to the
Sailors Reading-room, l wish to in
form you that have been obliged to
lock up for tonight, on account of an
urgent errand at the village" Jimmy
stared vacantly for a moment at the
pale, washed-out countenance of his
interlocutor. Il thought I'd tell you,"
the youth went on in his copy-book
style, $50 as to save your taking the
long walk. | am the librarian of the
Reading-room."
"Ah, thank you. But l wasn't 60
ing to the Reading-room tonight.
am on my way to the village"
''Well, there's a large majority Of
people do go to the Reading-room,
first and last" the youth explained
with pride. And some of them are
not worthy of its privileges. l am on
my way now to prevent what may be
a frightiul accident to one who has
enjoyed the benefits OF our work."
Jim gazed at the youth. "A fright
full accident! Then why in Heavens
name don't you hurry?"
The youth exhibited a slightly in
jured air, but did not hasten.
81 was just about to continue on my
way" he said, when II occurred to
me that you might be interested to
know"
That's good of you. But what is it
all about?"
Some time ago, very profane and
impatient gentleman, waiting for
money to be telegraphed him from
New York"
well, man. go on! Where is he?"
II know nothing about the move
ments OF this ungodly person, but 1t
appears that today, for the first time
in its history. the quarry up yonder
has been robbed. Circumstances lead
the manager TO suspect that this same
gentleman was the perpetrator of the
theft. and am on my way to further
the ends OF justice"
a. l. l.. a