Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1914-11-11
Copyright by The Century Co.
CHAPTER XIV.
The "Hardenlnar Process.


man was taking his twenty-four hours
or at his home ON the shore. The
keeper was working over his report
In the Office. The other members OF
the crew were upstairs asleep, and
Abe and Samuel were bearing each
other company in the messroom.
Abe lay asleep on the carpet-covered
sofa which had been dragged out of
the captains room for him, 80 that
the old man need not spend the night
IN the cold sleeping-loft above. He
was fully dressed except for his
boots; for he was determined to con-
form to the rules of the service, and
sleep with his clothes on ready for
instant duty.
Talk erbout him a-dyin'!" growled
Samuel to himself, lounging YEARLY
I'm chair beside the stove. He's lest
startin' his life. He's q regular boss.
L didn't think he had 1t In him."
SamuePs tone was resentful. He
was a little jealous OF the distinction
which had been made between him
and Abe; and drawing closer to the
nre. he shivered In growing distaste
Tor the cot assigned to him with the
crew upstairs, where the white frost
lay on the window latches.
What uncomfortable chairs they had
IN this station! Samuel listened to
the mooing Of the breakers, to the
wind rafting at the casements-and
wondered II Blossy had missed him.
About this time she must be sitting
In her chintz-covered rocker, combing
out the ringlets of her golden-white
hair in the CHEEKY freight.
Now, that would be a sight worth
seeing! Abe opened his mouth and
began to snore. What disgusting, hide
GUS creatures men were, reflected
Samuel. Six months living with an
unusually high-bred woman had insen.
sibly raised his standards.
Why should he spend a week OF his
evershortening life with such inferior
beings. just for Abraham's sake-for
Abraham's sake, and to bear out a the
DRY OF his own, which he had already
concluded a mistake?
Abe gave snort, opened his eyes.
and muttered sleepily: This is what
1 call A No. spree. Naow, termor-
rer-" But mumbling incoherently
he relapsed into slumber, putting his
lips out into a whistling sound.
Samuel reached for a newspaper on
the table, folded it into a missile, and
started to fling 1t into the innocent
face OF the sleeper. But fortunately for
Abraham. IL was Captain Darby's cue-
tom to count ten whenever seized by
an exasperated impulse, and at the
ninth number he regretfully dropped
the Paper.
Then he began to count in another
way. Using the foref1nger Of his right
hand as marker, he counted under
his breath, "one" on his left thumb,
then after frowning interval, "two"
on his left foreflnger, three" on the
middle digit, and so on, giving time
for thought to each number. until he
had exhausted the fingers OF his left
hand and was ready to start on the
right.
Count. count. went on Samuel. until
thrice 1--WE was passed. and he began
TO be confused.
Once more Abe awoke, and inquired
If the other were trying to reckon the
number OF new wigwags and signals
which the service had acquired sinca
they had worked for the government:
but on being sharply told to "Shet
upl" went 70 sleep again
What the protector Of the trim was
really trying TO recall was how MANY
times that day he had regretted saw.
ing Abe from the devastating clutches
Of the old ladies'.
Him need hardenin'7" muttered
Samuel blackly. why, he's harder
now n nails an hardtack!"
Again he ran over on his fingers the
list Of high crimes and misdemeanors
OF which Abe had been guilty.
First-thumb, left hand-Abe had
insisted on extending their scooter
sail until he, Samuel, had felt his toes
freezing in his boots.
Second-forennger. left hand-on
being welcomed by the entire force at
Bleak Hill and asked how long they
expected 10 stay. Abe had blurfcJ ouf
A hull week explaining that Sam.
uels rule requiring at least seven davs
OF exile from his wife every six months
barred them from returning In less
time.
The keeper was widower, all the
other men were bachelors. How could
they be expected to understand? They
burst into a guffaw Of laughter. and
Abe. not even conscious that he had
betrayed q sacred confidence. sput.
tered and laughed with the rest
Samuel had haif q mind to return
tomorrow, lost to spite en-" Lete
see. how many days OF this plagued
week were left2 Six. Six whole